New members of the Vietnam forum, introduce yourselves here - 2021

International MD wrote:

My visa is based on employment.

I believe you mean to say that the Visa you hope to get will be based on employment?

In normal times, you would be able to get a Visa without having a job first. You would be free to come here and look around and find your employment.

However, during this COVID-19 restricted indefinite time period, you're going to find it difficult if not impossible to get a visa to come here without having first obtained employment.

I saw on the other thread where you're asking people if they are having good results with one of those three agencies.

It's probably possible that one of those agents can help you get a job, but the cost is almost certain to come out of your own pocket up front.

Because you are a physician, it seems likely that your best bet would be to contact prospective employers directly first.

I admit this is my best guess based on what others have posted here on the subject (and the most recent information I've seen from the government) so hopefully others will give more definitive responses.

THIGV: LOL. Thank you for your help. I am very new to all of this. Still learning...

Thanks, OceanBeach92107!
I just want to make sure I'm dealing with a legitimate company before I start paying money. Due to the entry restrictions in place, it seems that we can no longer just pay for a "visa on arrival" and that the 3rd party company is necessary for entry approval when you do not have a sponsor/employer there in Vietnam. I want to be diligent in my research in order to be successful in gaining entry. I appreciate any advice you have. Thanks!

International MD wrote:

Thanks, OceanBeach92107!
I just want to make sure I'm dealing with a legitimate company before I start paying money. Due to the entry restrictions in place, it seems that we can no longer just pay for a "visa on arrival" and that the 3rd party company is necessary for entry approval when you do not have a sponsor/employer there in Vietnam. I want to be diligent in my research in order to be successful in gaining entry. I appreciate any advice you have. Thanks!

That's almost totally correct.

But a third party company is not supposed to be arranging for anyone to enter without the foreigner having an approved reason, such as being an expert with a job offer or a diplomat, or an investor or one of the few other categories.

We have heard that there are agents who are offering all of the services necessary, including a transportation package and a hotel package for quarantine and a pre-approved employment offer (the paperwork for that has to be submitted by the employer to the government to approve you).

So please be very leery of someone who says it doesn't matter and they can get you into the country with a Visa but no firm offer of employment.

OceanBeach92107 wrote:

International MD wrote:

Thanks, OceanBeach92107!
I just want to make sure I'm dealing with a legitimate company before I start paying money. Due to the entry restrictions in place, it seems that we can no longer just pay for a "visa on arrival" and that the 3rd party company is necessary for entry approval when you do not have a sponsor/employer there in Vietnam. I want to be diligent in my research in order to be successful in gaining entry. I appreciate any advice you have. Thanks!

That's almost totally correct.

But a third party company is not supposed to be arranging for anyone to enter without the foreigner having an approved reason, such as being an expert with a job offer or a diplomat, or an investor or one of the few other categories.

We have heard that there are agents who are offering all of the services necessary, including a transportation package and a hotel package for quarantine and a pre-approved employment offer (the paperwork for that has to be submitted by the employer to the government to approve you).

So please be very leery of someone who says it doesn't matter and they can get you into the country with a Visa but no firm offer of employment.

Oh, I see. Well, that changes things. The two companies offering me assistance (Emerhub and Vietnam Visa Booking) recommend employment but state that they will find me a Sponsor company to provide my sponsor approval letter. Neither company offer any employment search assistance. And they both refund your money if you get denied the visa. They both charge about the same price: $2500-3100/adult and $2500/kid. Does that sound legit to you?
     I spoke with Family Medical Practice, which has 4 locations in HCMC, and they want to see my resume. I've had no luck hearing back from the HR departments at the large hospitals via emails but I will try to again via phone.

International MD wrote:

OceanBeach92107 wrote:

International MD wrote:

Thanks, OceanBeach92107!
I just want to make sure I'm dealing with a legitimate company before I start paying money. Due to the entry restrictions in place, it seems that we can no longer just pay for a "visa on arrival" and that the 3rd party company is necessary for entry approval when you do not have a sponsor/employer there in Vietnam. I want to be diligent in my research in order to be successful in gaining entry. I appreciate any advice you have. Thanks!

That's almost totally correct.

But a third party company is not supposed to be arranging for anyone to enter without the foreigner having an approved reason, such as being an expert with a job offer or a diplomat, or an investor or one of the few other categories.

We have heard that there are agents who are offering all of the services necessary, including a transportation package and a hotel package for quarantine and a pre-approved employment offer (the paperwork for that has to be submitted by the employer to the government to approve you).

So please be very leery of someone who says it doesn't matter and they can get you into the country with a Visa but no firm offer of employment.

Oh, I see. Well, that changes things. The two companies offering me assistance (Emerhub and Vietnam Visa Booking) recommend employment but state that they will find me a Sponsor company to provide my sponsor approval letter. Neither company offer any employment search assistance. And they both refund your money if you get denied the visa. They both charge about the same price: $2500-3100/adult and $2500/kid. Does that sound legit to you?
     I spoke with Family Medical Practice, which has 4 locations in HCMC, and they want to see my resume. I've had no luck hearing back from the HR departments at the large hospitals via emails but I will try to again via phone.

No, that doesn't sound legit to me doctor, but I definitely recommend a second opinion.

I was thinking that Family Medical Practice might be your best bet as they also have offices in Hanoi and Danang.

Good luck!

So to boil it all down, it's find the job first and with the assistance of the employer apply for a visa and after travel, if you can locate a flight, go into quarantine.  This of course is post COVID.

Pre-COVID rule of thumb was enter Vietnam on a tourist visa, look for work, and then once employed  convert your visa, about 180 from the current situation.

International MD wrote:

OceanBeach92107 wrote:

International MD wrote:

Thanks, OceanBeach92107!
I just want to make sure I'm dealing with a legitimate company before I start paying money. Due to the entry restrictions in place, it seems that we can no longer just pay for a "visa on arrival" and that the 3rd party company is necessary for entry approval when you do not have a sponsor/employer there in Vietnam. I want to be diligent in my research in order to be successful in gaining entry. I appreciate any advice you have. Thanks!

That's almost totally correct.

But a third party company is not supposed to be arranging for anyone to enter without the foreigner having an approved reason, such as being an expert with a job offer or a diplomat, or an investor or one of the few other categories.

We have heard that there are agents who are offering all of the services necessary, including a transportation package and a hotel package for quarantine and a pre-approved employment offer (the paperwork for that has to be submitted by the employer to the government to approve you).

So please be very leery of someone who says it doesn't matter and they can get you into the country with a Visa but no firm offer of employment.

Oh, I see. Well, that changes things. The two companies offering me assistance (Emerhub and Vietnam Visa Booking) recommend employment but state that they will find me a Sponsor company to provide my sponsor approval letter. Neither company offer any employment search assistance. And they both refund your money if you get denied the visa. They both charge about the same price: $2500-3100/adult and $2500/kid. Does that sound legit to you?
     I spoke with Family Medical Practice, which has 4 locations in HCMC, and they want to see my resume. I've had no luck hearing back from the HR departments at the large hospitals via emails but I will try to again via phone.

The reason the cost is 3000 usd is because it's all done under the table. A DN visa would normally only cost a few hundred dollars, Im sure you can join the dots.

I just got married 1 week ago, if I can help in the process don't hesitate 

Golgo13 wrote:

I just got married 1 week ago, if I can help in the process don't hesitate 

This is apropos of nothing.

Are you saying your recent change in marital status can help the MD to find a job and get a DN visa?  Or are you offering to find him a bride so he can enter the country?

Hello,
My name is Valérie, I have been in Viêtnam for a few months and would love to stay here.
I wonder if there are job opportunity for Digital Project Manager.
Do you have any advice ?
Thanks

valerie_974 wrote:

Hello,
My name is Valérie, I have been in Viêtnam for a few months and would love to stay here.
I wonder if there are job opportunity for Digital Project Manager.
Do you have any advice ?
Thanks

Ask a recruitment company.

I have read on these forums that you can do a "border-run". Just take a bus to the border and come right back. A good chance to visit another neighboring country. 😎

kn0ckkn0ck wrote:

I have read on these forums that you can do a "border-run". Just take a bus to the border and come right back. A good chance to visit another neighboring country. 😎

Not at the moment. No visa runs.

Hi!

My name is Kynan and I am looking to move from the United Kingdom to Vietnam to live and work.

I have a range of experiences within specialisms such as;
- Recruitment/HR
- Sales
- Customer Services
- Finance/Banking
- Digital Technologies (& many more)

I am also a holder of a First Class BA(Hons) degree and I am currently studing a Level 5 TEFL Qualification to Teach English.

If you know of any suitable roles for me in Vietnam, please feel free to contact me!

Thanks,

Kynan

Hey there Brad,

You're right in thinking this and I am currently still residing within the UK without any Visa approval at present.

I am structuring my search for roles that would help to support this process and as far, have seen that people who have gained employment beforehand have been allowed to depart from the UK to Vietnam to fulfil their contracts.

Basically, I'm most likely in the same boat as yourself, but if I am able to gain employment before leaving, I would stand a better chance to do so than being there already.

Apologies if my post was structured in a way to make it seem otherwise, I'll get to work editing it to provide some extended clarity.

Speaking candidly, COVID-19 has been a huge and unprecedented pain in the rear and any goals relating to overseas work and travel have been set-back to ridiculous proportions.

I hope your situation manages to improve in the near future. Until then, I guess that all we can do is hope that a company would see enough potential in our hire to go through the vast amounts of work required to get us there.

Take care,

Kynan

Hi Kynan and Brad,

    I, too, feel your pain with job search from abroad as I'm in the same boat. I wish you both all the best in obtaining your business visas for entry.

Colinoscapee: Are there any specific recruitment companies in Vietnam that you recommend we include in our repertoire?

Thanks!

Kynan Watcham wrote:

Hey there Brad,

You're right in thinking this and I am currently still residing within the UK without any Visa approval at present.

I am structuring my search for roles that would help to support this process and as far, have seen that people who have gained employment beforehand have been allowed to depart from the UK to Vietnam to fulfil their contracts.

Basically, I'm most likely in the same boat as yourself, but if I am able to gain employment before leaving, I would stand a better chance to do so than being there already.

Apologies if my post was structured in a way to make it seem otherwise, I'll get to work editing it to provide some extended clarity.

Speaking candidly, COVID-19 has been a huge and unprecedented pain in the rear and any goals relating to overseas work and travel have been set-back to ridiculous proportions.

I hope your situation manages to improve in the near future. Until then, I guess that all we can do is hope that a company would see enough potential in our hire to go through the vast amounts of work required to get us there.

Take care,

Kynan

Jobs for expats who dont want to teach are east to find, but very hard to secure
Depends what lline of work ypu are in

Hey Jlgarbutt, thanks for the post!

I'd probably say that I am a Recruiter mainly, but COVID19 came around when I graduated University so I took a job in Banking/Finance to pay the bills (mainly due to the damage it did to the recruitment industry early on during that time). So you could say either of those really as they have the most solid experiences. That being said, both are intertwined with Customer Service, so I could do a job specialising on that area very easily.

My degree and A-levels are related to Digital Technologies and Creative Media though - so I'm also skilled in these areas too. Mainly Marketing and Project Management of Software.

Bit of a mixed bag honestly. I guess it goes without saying that I'm a catch, so someone should hire me! Hahaha.

hi there, my name is Haico and I am looking to move to Vietnam for the right job.
I have extensive experience in the HR field, particularly Learning & Development. I am Dutch and I don't have a certificate to teach English. If anyone knows where to search, please let me know.

Hi there anybody interested to have a coffee in Hanoi? I'm new here

Rob4048 wrote:

Hi there anybody interested to have a coffee in Hanoi? I'm new here

Try the Hanoi forum, Rob.

greetings,

I lived and work in the seattle area, Left about 2016 and now live in Binh Thanh p11.
Have and old house and big garden.
Hung out in Seattle's Little SaiGon and went to temples.

Jefferson

Hi everyone!

I'm a human from Japan not a penguin just moved to Can Tho city.
I'll start my teaching job next month. I'm also collecting and writing horror stories of all over the world. If you have your own stories, or if you want to listen to some scary stories, please just let me know. Let's have coffee or tea together!

KoKo

Thats an unusual hobby.. horror stories.. everyone surely likes those.

Yes, it's weird hobby...and at the same time it's one of my side jobs...😂
Hope I can listen to many stories in this country

If having chances passing by Le Thanh Ton street in District 1, HCMC. Called Little Japan in Saigon. There are several cases and truth :  )

Plenty of bars and massage shops too 😊 great place to explore, but safety in numbers..on more than one occasion I have been almost forcibly dragged into a few establishments.

Like I said.. great place, lots of culture, one of HCM s best kept secrets

I'm so curious...have to go there now🧐

Retired to VN.  I got married April 1st 2020.  We use an AGENT for most legal needs, documents, Consulate/Embassy appointments, and Jump-Through-the-Hoops, stuff.
After marriage I applied and received my 3 year resident Card. 
Was told by UK friend $150usd at immigration office, but $500 by my agent.
I hear the Government is questioning the Business Visas due to many Fake Letters.

jcsaunders wrote:

Retired to VN.  I got married April 1st 2020.  We use an AGENT for most legal needs, documents, Consulate/Embassy appointments, and Jump-Through-the-Hoops, stuff.
After marriage I applied and received my 3 year resident Card. 
Was told by UK friend $150usd at immigration office, but $500 by my agent.
I hear the Government is questioning the Business Visas due to many Fake Letters.

TRC is 150 usd as stated, the agent charges 350 usd to pick up and drop off the paperwork. Try and avoid agents, they are parasites.

hi,
what's your job?

hienkttv88 wrote:

hi,
what's your job?

Who are you talking to?

error

KoKothePenguin wrote:

Hi everyone!

I'm a human from Japan not a penguin just moved to Can Tho city.
I'll start my teaching job next month. I'm also collecting and writing horror stories of all over the world. If you have your own stories, or if you want to listen to some scary stories, please just let me know. Let's have coffee or tea together!

KoKo

hi there

there are very few expats in CT, espec now, but there are some, but i would hesitate to recommend them to you.

we are a married couple living in CT.

but we would be happy to get to know you and assist if we can.

what is your job here? how long are you here for? do you speak Vietnamese?

kind regards

NKM1314 wrote:

Hey group!
I'm headed over in June as a VP of an international school.
I'm landing in Can Tho and was hopeful for either a friendly local group and/or an expat community there to connect with. I've checked FB and there is one expat group but it's not very active.

I do have some questions about the number of meds I can bring over but I have to do a bit of searching on here to see if its been addressed.

Thanks!

hi there

i don't see any responses all this time so that is a bit disappointing. one reason is that there are very few expats in CT, but there are some, but i would hesitate to recommend them to you. but i am surprised that there are NO messages ... possibly because of where this post is. i only saw now by happenstance

after all this time (two months?), what is your current status and location?

i am a married Australian living in CT.

but we would be very keen to get to know you and assist if we still can.

let us know more details about your current circumstances: i worry that you have had to do everything by yourself.

maybe use the PM system to discuss more fully?

kind regards

Hello
I am wait to return to Chiang mai thailand.
20 years of thailand might be enought, da nang looks good and del let ok  or better
When i get free to travel i will visit. Until then i need to learn more of everything. I had a work permit in thailand as golf teacher/ english teacher. But not for living $.
Retired United Air Lines 2001.
What do i need to know? Always a major unseen pitfall .?
I live in USA a few months a year. Covid more. I got my shots.

Hi there,

I'm Paul, recently retired in the UK.  I'm looking to stay in Vietnam for about six months - hopefully in the Hoi-An or Da-Nang areas - from about October to March.

I visited the country about 3 years ago and fell in love with it - the people, the countryside, the beaches, the food .... and that's why I'm looking to send a lot more time there.

I'm a keen cyclist and swimmer and want to get more into yoga as well.

I'm looking for a 2-bedroom house to rent for the period, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Very best wishes to you all

Paul

paulcooper03 wrote:

Hi there,

I'm Paul, recently retired in the UK.  I'm looking to stay in Vietnam for about six months - hopefully in the Hoi-An or Da-Nang areas - from about October to March.

I don't think the country will be open to tourists by October.