[taurus1976]

Hey

I have been offered an attractive role in Vietnam by my current employer. I do not have a clue about what salary levels to ask for or what to expect in terms of life style.

I have about 8 yrs of experience at the managerial level and will be moving to Vietnam to head a USD 10 M business in the bank I work with.

Would really appreciate inputs from people who have stayed and worked in Vietnam.

Thanks

[xue39]

(1) What city/suburb?

(2) Would you need 'western' lifestyle - managed condo house and car a must or not? (Those will be expensive)

(3) Are you ok with hot and humid climate or have t hop from conditioner to conditioner?

[freeier]

its a hardship posting. 8-P
the cost is low. but just ask for 50% premium on what you are getting now

[taurus1976]

Originally Posted by xue39

(1) What city/suburb?

(2) Would you need 'western' lifestyle - managed condo house and car a must or not? (Those will be expensive)

(3) Are you ok with hot and humid climate or have t hop from conditioner to conditioner?

1) HCMC

2) Not really but would prefer a spacious house (1000+ sg ft)

3) Yes, fine with hot and humid

[xue39]

Hey Taurus,

the great thing about VN is that houses here are quite spacious ?the ground floor itself is 300 or 600 sq feet depending whether it's short or long type). It's possible to get house for anything between 600 and 2000. Those are all livable.

The most reasonable thing is to budget 1000 - there are lots of houses in this mid-category, so you guaranteed the result even if you don't want to spend time searching. Though certainly, the more places you see the better chances to get all things right: traffic, noise in the evening, nice balconies, house cleaner (100/m).

As for other expenses, with 1000/m you will be a rich man by local standards, for example nice restaurants are like $10/dinner. Consider anything above a pure profit.

If you don't drive motorbike, so the company car will be picking you up, traffic will be really important.

This is assuming you work in the center. Some banks have moved to suburbs, where the exact perks vary, but certainly houses are bigger and have chance to have land.

Meet me when I return to HCMC if you want more expat info.

[taurus1976]

Thanks Xue

While I am still negotiating on the package, it seems that we will be moving mid-sept. I did visit HCMC earlier this month and was taken by surprise by the cost of service partments. The houses we saw were quite nice but too big for just 2 of us.

Any suggestions on which areaa to stay in ? I would prefer something closer to a super market and club house facilities with a budget of USD 3000.