Money
Q: I was lead to believe that you can save more or less than $20,000 US per year. Is that a realistic figure?
A: This depends on how much you want to travel, how much you want spend on your house, if you like to eat expat or local food, etc. This figure is achievable to save, but it really depends on your lifestyle, number of people in your household, etc.
Q: How are your salaries paid? How do you send money home? Do I need to set something up?
A: UNIS pays teachers the third Thursday of the month to your Vietnamese bank account, which will be set up once you arrive in Hanoi. You'll be paid in USD. You will be able to transfer money from your bank account in Hanoi to your home country or wherever you would like.
One of the sessions of your new teacher orientation will be devoted to opening your bank account and giving you all the bank info you will need. Bank reps will assist you to open accounts for you and issue you a local ATM debit card. The online banking app allows you to make international transfers. If you bank with a smaller institution, you might need to do the transfer in person at the bank. Our bank also allows you to withdraw USD.
Q: Do you have to pay end of contract taxes that you might need to account for during the year?
A: No. We are a UN school and, therefore, exempted from Vietnamese tax at this time. This always has the potential to change.