Can anyone enlighten me about their teaching experience(s) i...

There is relatively zero difference except the class sizes. Gov. schools will have larger classes. Teaching in Vietnam is a challenge regardless of where you teach as English is better viewed for profits versus academics in Vietnam.

There is a big difference between teaching in private International schools and Vietnam Governemnt schools. There is a huge difference between salaries, apartments, benefits such as medical cover, class sizes and allocation i.r.o annual airflights.
My experience thus far in HCMC is fantastic. We have a great social network, food is cheap and if you work clever, you can save a bundle. Transport costs a bit more than in China, but its easy to get a motorbike for dashing around the city. There is also stacks of International bars and restuarants to meet up with friends and colleagues over the weekend. I will definately recommend the experience.

Thank you gentlemen for your input. I will be returning to Ho Chi Minh City for the 3rd time in December, 2012. Great information!

Francis, I agree with Joshua Vietnam is dedicated to making money over the education itself.
There are alot of cowboy schools and teachers. Saigon is an easy but frustrating place to live. In my experience it was cheap but it came at the cost of lifestyle sacrifice. I dont know what exactly the experience you are after. But i have travelled all over asia except china and i will tell you it is the most unfriendly, thieving, unaccommodating place becoming more popular with unfriendly loser attitude expats that have lived there for too long. All in all the lows out weigh the highs.
I now live in thailand and I can tell you the experience is a breath of fresh air, and the people are alot more a custom to understanding why you are in there country. Very western friendly. However the pay is not as good generally unless you have a specialty in a subject and land a job in an internatinoal school. If you dont have any qualifacations vietnam is good and the visa thing is so very easy and so affordable unlike thailand I have heard better things about Hanoi. Thats my honest opinion.In general the people on a daily basis are insulting and rude. I wish you luck!

I have visited Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam twice and I am scheduled for my third visit. I respect and appreiciate all observations and opinions. I am a former law enforcement agent and I am from one of the worst neighborhoods of North Philadlephia (Bandlands), Pennsylvania, USA. Check it out on Google.) I have a complete understanding of violent criminals. I am very street smart and agree that there are many out to take you under in Vietnam. Having had the formal state parole agent training and other police training, it gives me an edge I would otherwise not have.

I did in fact see the way a foreigner may be scammed. Many in other courntry’s residents think that we, foreigners, are all rich. Especially if you come from the United States. I will be getting married to a mature school teacher and she has shown me a few things. I have read that the crime and street gangs in Hanoi are out of control as well. I am aware of their methods of crime. I always have the mentality of an prison corrections officer, state parole agent, and street undercover cop at all times. I was in a rental home and had to chase away a potential thief who was looking in my first floor gated window.

Crime is the same if not worse in many US cities. One thing I say, if you see steel bars or window guards all over a building, it is there for a purpose and not decoration. Vietnam is at a crossroad, between the past and the future. If but not for the destruction of this country by my country, during the U.S. versus North Vietnam war, it could have progressed for the better much sooner.

I have noticed that most of the police do not carry firearms. That says alot, but one must look out for the knives that are commonly used by criminals in Vietnam. You have confirmed that I should continue to remain on red alert when I am there at all times. I will be attempting to teach English as some of the charity schools, if permitted. Thank you!

I was remis in my spelling check. I apologize. I was distracted by a phone call.

Hi Francis, I worked in HoChi Min City for a about 4 months before relocating to another area. It is very growded, the closer youare to district one the harder it is to find decent lodging. 300 a month will get you a room with bathroom and hopfully use of kitchen. Private school are totally different from government schools.. The private school I worked for did alot of fund raising, which took away from prep time for classes. The money is good, but you can easily get burned out.

you guys are talking about the salary of both government and training centers. but I think part time jobs are feching more money than all, because you have more free time, and you charge according to the classes you teach.

Thanks to everyone for your input! You observations have provided further insight into what I may expect in December.