working, teaching.

Forget the teaching!! VietNam needs plumbers, badly!

Local plumbers haven't clue one about diameter of sewer waste pipes, inspection traps/clean outs, venting waste systems, etc.

I am sure you have heard the signature tune of VN plumbing: Glug, glug, glug as the toilet flushes. How about two 4 inch diameter pipes handling all the waste for a 80-unit condominium!

I suggest two choices: (1) Join the staff of a technical college teaching plumbing (I hep out at one and they supply a bilingual assistant to help out); (2) Nose around the building sites of larger projects and see who is doing the plumbing work.

On many projects they hire overseas contractors (think Korea, Japan, TaiWan) to execute electrical and plumbing work. Even the government knowledges VN lacks skills is many trades.

They can make/pour concrete; they can do carpentry; great at bricklaying, tiling and granite work BUT when it comes to the 'technical' trades, nothing.

Even if you landed a job with a decent plumbing company, language shouldn't be a challenge, they can simply follow your lead.

As for supplies, forget what you see at the retail level - get catalogues, you'll be amazed at what a rich resource they have yet they don't use them.

Cast stack pipes and copper water piping is available here, and you an even get gas blow torches when you know where to look.

Good luck! You have a place desperate for your needs.

Hi!May I call you Thuot? If I understand last names come first, please correct me if I am wrong. Thank you for great response. We should get together one day and talk about glug,glug etc.Seems to me that you have considerable amount of humor and an understanding of the English language.Therefore you your self must be involved in the building industry[cast stack pipes and copper]. Also very interesting about joining tech. colledge!Have had no real luck in approaching lage sites in S/GON,not without helment and boots, or $500 Guchi shoes.Great leads, and thank you!As for my desperate needs, it is really only to give what I have.Be good to hear from you again.there is a need in all of us! IAN.

You can call ne Thuot if I can call you Brisbane! I actually live in Buon Ma Thuot. biggest city in the Central Highlands.

BTW, I can even joint cast downpipes using hemp and molten lead ... if that doesn't age me too much!

My workstation designator is JaitcH.

I have renovated clunkers here, built a house and two mini-hotels so I am all too familiar with the local trades ... and their wily ways.

I have a few, too, like using foam to fill up holes for unapproved windows, etc. Learnt that trick in Greece!

P.M. me about glugging, in TP HCM!

Thuot and bRISBANE ..LOL cHEERS GUYS!

Sorry! Jaitch,Buon Mat Thout Didn't sound like a persons name,as for Dak Lak province I should have realised, west of Nha Trang. So you have been to Brisbane!Yes you have given away your age,I should travel a lot more through Vietnam,I always seem to get stuck in HCM.although I have been to several other large cities along the coast,I like Nha Trang but I also love the hustel and bustle S/Gon.
I'm pretty resoucful in finding my own way round,but any information in regards to your remark on tech colledge interest me, this is the first time I hear of this, I really don't talk to many expats, an occasional English teacher, but none in the building industry.Any further advice in this subject would be appreciated.
I'M not the best on euphemisms,  so you will have to explain what does P.M.about glugging, in TP HCM.Have idear but you will have to elaborate.Good talking to you, and thanks!

Hi Jaitch!
Interesting what you do,I seem to be sitting here in Australia totally lost, with no insperation what so ever, other than trying to get out of here, away from big brother and a disfunctional government.I like the idea of a new frontier. My talent what ever it is,lies in traveling and meeting people.
In this country now it costs $18 for a packet of cigerettes, $6 for a glass of beer,with cameras on you 24/7,taxes that undermine the average workers fundemental rights to relax after a hard days work. There is no more glug,glug.I enjoy a cigerette and a beer together, without being photographed and fined, which happened to a friend of mine,$300, thank you very much!
Anyway just bitching.
Somehow you seem to have interest compatable to mine, ie, construction,teaching English,Iam drawn to the high end of fashion, colors, etc,etc.That's why I enjoy S/Gon so much.
Sitting here on a Sunday morning, searching for a job in Vietnam,not knowing what I'm looking for!A talent going to waste Ha,Ha!     Has anyone have any idear! The lonely Plumber!

Please forgive me on my spelling mistakes.I must learn to check!!

Inspiration. Compatible.

Australia, a southern hemisphere version of the USA with cameras everywhere and cops running around as if the own the place.

Same in the UK.

VN, totally different - quieter, too, no sirens blasting off every minute day and night. Outside my TP HCM condo offie the only noise is damn chickens who don't when dawn is.

Back in BMT it's the silence that wake us up nights! We are surrounded by farms. Crops don't make too much noise when they are growing.

You will not find a job sitting in Australia. Employers like to see the body n front of them. That is unless they are importing a body for a specific job or with specific skills.

You need to bring all your trade certifications, etc. when you come. Come on a tourist visa, then apply for a Residence Permit, a Work Permit can wait until you land a job.

I will reply your PM next week.