As an expat teacher living in Vietnam, having a social life is essential for your mental health and happiness. While the teaching schedules can be demanding, especially on weekends, there are still plenty of opportunities to meet fellow teachers and have fun in your free time.
Cities to Party in Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Hanoi, and Da Nang cities have vibrant expat scenes with bars, clubs, and events teachers frequent.
Ho Chi Minh City
In HCMC, Districts 1, 2 and 3 are popular expat hotspots, with a mix of local and foreigner-run bars, pubs and clubs. The Bui Vien “backpacker area” in District 1 has many cheap bars, but some teachers find it too touristy.
Check out craft beer pubs like BiaCraft Artisan Ales and Heart of Darkness in District 3 for a more local vibe. District 3 is home to some live music venues like the Acoustic Bar and Yola.
Rooftop bars like Chill Skybar and Poc Poc Beer Club offer great city views, too. Many teachers also meet through Facebook groups and organise casual social events like karaoke or having meals after work.
And if raving the night away is your thing, you must check out The Observatory and The Lighthouse. With a mix of local and international DJs playing to large crowds.
Hanoi
Up north in Hanoi, the districts around Hoan Kiem Lake and West Lake (Ho Tay) are lively expat areas packed with restaurants, cafes and hidden bars waiting to be explored.
Spy Bar and Standing Bar in Hoan Kiem district are popular teacher hangouts. For cheap beer, you can also find bia hoi joints dotted around the city, where locals and expats gather streetside for a lively atmosphere.
Connecting with fellow teachers is critical to finding Hanoi's more local expat nightlife.
Da Nang
The coastal city of Da Nang has a more laidback expat scene focused in the An Thuong area, with late-night bars like the Shamrock and Corner Bar. Cafes and restaurants around My An area are also said to be expat hotspots.
Da Nang’s nightlife is less vibrant for foreigners than Hanoi and HCMC. As a smaller city, venues open and close more frequently here. Asking around is necessary to find the latest expat bars.
While the party and nightlife options may seem enticing for teachers in Vietnam, having a social life does pose some challenges:
Heavy Teaching Schedules
Many teachers have busy schedules, especially on weekends, which can make partying and socialising difficult. It’s common for teachers to work 6 days per week, including Saturdays.
So many teachers take advantage of Sunday nights to go out since Monday is often their “weekend”. But this still makes a healthy work-life balance tricky for some.
High Teacher Turnover
The teaching industry in Vietnam suffers from high turnover as teachers come and go frequently. Contracts usually last 1 year.
This transience can make it harder for meaningful friendships to form. The vibrant social scene helps teachers connect quickly, but goodbyes are frequent.
Despite the challenges, there are still ways teachers can enhance their social life in Vietnam:
Join Teaching Facebook Groups
Facebook is hugely popular in Vietnam. Joining teaching-related Facebook Groups is a common way teachers connect for social events, especially in HCMC and Hanoi.
Introduce yourself in the groups and be open to invitations. This is often how casual events get organised.
Participate in Sports and Activities
Badminton, yoga, football, and other hobby groups are great ways to meet a mix of locals and expats while doing an activity you enjoy. This helps form bonds around shared interests, not just partying.
Practice an Open and Friendly Attitude
Vietnamese people are incredibly hospitable once you get to know them. Be open-minded with social invitations and curious about the culture.
Locals will appreciate your friendly attitude, which can lead to rewarding friendships.
The expat social scene does indeed thrive in Vietnam. While heavy schedules and high turnover pose challenges.
Teachers in HCMC, Hanoi and Da Nang still have plenty of vibrant nightlife options, though bars open and close frequently.
Joining hobby groups and practising an open attitude helps expats integrate better.
So get out there and experience Vietnam’s nightlife - your new friends are waiting!
Get your Ultimate Guide to Teaching in Vietnam here.
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