RECRUITMENT
HANDBOOK
2019 - 2020
2
Contents
WHO WE ARE
School History
School Description
School Location
Mission and Vision
BECOME AN ISHCMC EDUCATOR
Organizational Structure
School Size and Enrollment
Conditions of Employment
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5
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LIVING IN HO CHI MINH CITY
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TEACHER TESTIMONIALS
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WHO WE ARE
Who We Are
School History
At ISHCMC, we are extremely proud to have been the first international school in HCMC with the longest history of graduating students to high profile universities around the world.
1993
1994
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2003
2008
2009
2011
2012
2014
2016
2017
2018
ISHCMC, previously known as International Grammar School, opens in District 3.
International Grammar School’s second campus opens in District 3.
International Grammar School is renamed “International School Ho Chi Minh City” and moves to its
current location in District 2.
ISHCMC is granted approval to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
ISHCMC receives accreditation from ECIS, now known as CIS.
ISHCMC graduates its first class of IBDP students.
ISHCMC’s District 3 campus expands to include Early Explorers and Kindergarten students.
Junior School students move to the An Phu campus. New School building and library is built.
ISHCMC receives accreditation from NEASC and is now accredited by two of the most
renowned international accreditation organizations worldwide.
A new Administration building, a Multi-Purpose Room and Gymnasium is completed.
ISHCMC joins the Cognita Schools Group, a family of over 60 schools worldwide.
New facilities are added that include: science laboratories, music rooms, a gymnasium, a 25-meter
swimming pool and new play areas.
The Early Explorer and Kindergarten areas are expanded and refurbished.
Refurbished Grade 4 and Studio 5 wing opened
The award-winning Primary Library and Grade 1 areas are unveiled.
ISHCMC’s innovative new Secondary Campus opens in January. The Primary Campus is refurbished to
include new areas -art spaces, music practice rooms, indoor play area, indoor canteen, food technology,
Fab Lab, Grade 2 and KG areas.
In December, ISHCMC celebrates its 25th anniversary and its status as the first international school
in Ho Chi Minh City.
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School Description
ISHCMC is a non-denominational, co-educational and multicultural international school with over 50
nationalities represented within the student body. Teaching in the English medium, ISHCMC is the first and
oldest school in Ho Chi Minh City to provide all three International Baccalaureate Programmes – the Primary
Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the Diploma Programme (DP) – for all of our
students.
The physical facilities of the campuses include a variety of learning spaces, indoor gymnasiums, multipurpose
rooms, two 25 meter swimming pools, two artificial grass outdoor pitches and covered and uncovered hard
surface play and sports areas. There are also science labs, multiple makerspaces and design rooms, food
tech rooms and a Fab Lab, performing arts spaces including a theater and Black Box studio, two Information
& Media Centers (Libraries), music suites including a recording studio and practice rooms, multiple art rooms,
health clinics, an adventure playground, and a specialized early year area.
School Location
ISHCMC is situated in a desirable suburb of Ho Chi Minh City in District 2. The School is approximately 10
kilometers from the center of Ho Chi Minh City – about a 20 - 30 minute taxi ride. The Primary campus is within
walking distance of major serviced apartment complexes, shops, cafés and restaurants in the An Phu area,
The Secondary campus is located 10 minutes from the Primary campus. It is close to the Saigon Bridge and
also conveniently located within the Thao Dien neighborhood. It is nestled in a quiet area location between the
Saigon River and the main highway, next to the Thao Dien Market, and very close to the main residential areas
of Thao Dien and Tran Nao.
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Who We Are
Mission
As an IB World School, ISHCMC constructs a Culture of Achievement in an environment where students are
energized, engaged and empowered to become active participants in their communities.
Vision
ISHCMC’s vision is to be widely recognized as a school that nurtures a creative and collaborative learning
environment in which students and teachers seek to achieve beyond their goals, flourish as individuals, display
compassion, embrace challenge, take principled action on local and global issues and enjoy being part of their
community.
Values
At ISHCMC we value:
• Individual learners
• Creative and inquiring thinkers
• Learning beyond the classroom
• International mindedness
• Reflection and goal-setting
• Collaboration and connectivity
• Environmental sustainability
• Healthy and mindful choices
• Honest and principled actions
Teachers are expected to commit to this Mission and to model the School’s values and attitudes in
energizing, engaging and empowering all students. They are expected to use inquiry as their primary teaching
methodology and to implement the “Learner Profiles” of the IB Programme. They are also expected to adhere
to their job descriptions, to plan collaboratively in teams and to contribute towards common goals for School
improvement.
An important element of the School is an emphasis on the development of the whole child, and each teacher
assumes responsibility for pastoral care, supervision duties and after school activities. In fulfilling our Mission,
teachers earnestly support an extensive range of field trips and activities. The ability, interest and commitment
in offering extracurricular activities in physical education, outdoor pursuits, art, music, drama and community
service are important qualities sought in teaching candidates.
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8
BECOME AN ISHCMC EDUCATOR
Become an ISHCMC Educator
Organizational Structure
ISHCMC is a member of Cognita, a leading international schools group, encompassing 69 schools across
three continents. Cognita schools are located in Brazil, Chile, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, Hong Kong, the
United Kingdom and Vietnam. The group employs some 7,000 teaching and support staff in the care and
education of approximately 40,000 students from age 1 to 18 years.
Since its inception in 2004, Cognita has successfully built a group of outstanding schools where no two are the
same; each Cognita school retains its own unique ethos and offers a curriculum and range of services tailored
to meet the needs of local parents. Like all Cognita schools, ISHCMC’s foundations rest upon empowered
school leaders, committed teachers and students who are enthusiastic learners.
ISHCMC has its own Board of Management which has established a long term strategic plan for the School to
maintain and build upon ISHCMC’s already high standards and reputation in Vietnam. School Administration
Management responsibilities at ISHCMC are shared by its Senior Leadership Team.
The Head of School - Mr. Adrian Watts, is British and joined ISHCMC in 2013. Adrian was appointed to this
position in August 2015. The Deputy Head of School, Mr. Douglas Balzer, is Australian and joined ISHCMC in
2018 from another Cognita school, AIS in Singapore. Also on the Senior Leadership team are two Principals:
Primary Principal – Mr. Kurtis Peterson, a Canadian who has previously worked in Uganda, China, Peru
and Colombia; and Secondary Principal – Mr. Phil Rogers, an Australian who has many years experience in
international education and the IB programs.
Each Principal is supported by a management team which assists with the coordination of his section. In
the Primary school Ms. Lianne Kalapaca is the Primary School Vice Principal; Ms. Tania Mansfield is the IB
PYP Coordinator for the Upper Primary School and Ms. Nancy Snyder is the IB PYP Coordinator for the
Lower Primary School. In the Secondary School Mr. Brad Augustine, Vice Principal; Ms. Teresa Foard, IB DP
Coordinator; Mr. Simon Scoones, IB MYP Coordinator; and Ms. Jane Barrowcliff, Projects Coordinator, make
up the Secondary School management team. Mr. Matt Gollins is the Athletics and Activities Director for the
whole School.
School Size and Enrollment
Number of Students
As of September 2018, there were approximately 1,300 students enrolled with 665 students in our Primary
School (Early Explorers 2 through Studio 5) and 625 students in Secondary School (Grade 6 through Grade
12). Class sizes are capped at a maximum of 22 students in Primary and 23 students in Secondary.
School Staff
ISHCMC employs 145 expatriate staff and 168 Vietnamese teaching assistants and administrative staff. There
is a balanced range of young, seasoned and veteran teachers with average teaching experience of 11 years.
We intentionally hire a range of different nationalities, ages, and genders. ISHCMC teachers are currently from
Australia (21%), the United States (20%), Great Britain (19%), Canada (17%), New Zealand (3%) and elsewhere
(20%). The current average length of stay is 4-5 years.
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School Day
The School operates a northern hemisphere academic calendar from mid-August to mid-June. The ISHCMC
school year is divided into two semesters and four terms for assessment purposes. The school year provides a
minimum 180 days of instruction.
In the Primary School, all students begin their day at 8.15am. Our youngest students, Early Explorers 2 and 3
finish at 11.30am, if attending for half a day. The full day class for Early Explorers 2 and 3 runs until 1.45pm.
Early Explorers 4, Kindergarten and Grade 1 finish their school day at 2.45pm. Grade 2 - Studio 5 finish the
school day at 3.05pm.
All Secondary School Grades (6 - 12) are in session from 8.50am to 3.55pm. The School timetable is based on
a 10-day cycle, where each day has a letter assigned from A through J.
Primary teaching staff are required to be at school at 7.15am each Monday and Thursday and 7.30am on
other days. The teacher’s day concludes at 4.00pm, unless staff are involved in activities or extracurricular
commitments. Secondary teaching staff have flexible start and finish times based on their collaborative
meetings and after school commitments.
Contact Time
The Secondary School day is divided into four 75-minute periods. The Primary School day is divided into eight
40-minute periods.
Teachers are required to attend whole school faculty meetings on Thursday mornings which support
professional development and collaboration.
Bilingual Academic Assistants
All classrooms in the Primary School have access to a full-time bilingual (Vietnamese and English) teaching
assistant. Secondary School has bilingual specialist assistants.
Professional Development Opportunities
Ample opportunities are available for all ISHCMC teaching staff to pursue Professional Development activities.
Opportunities include our own conference (3E), specialists brought in to capacitate staff, IB requirements, and
in-house workshops.
Accreditation Status
In 1997, ISHCMC was granted full accreditation status by the Council of International School (CIS) (formerly
ECIS). ISHCMC was first authorized to offer the IBDP in 1998, followed by the PYP in 2001 and the MYP in
2004.
In October 2018, ISHCMC completed the re-accreditation process for CIS and the IB evaluation in a combined
visit. ISHCMC is also an active member of the East Asian Regional Council of Overseas Schools (EARCOS).
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Become an ISHCMC Educator
Curriculum
ISHCMC is continually refining its curriculum to provide an internationally designed model for concurrency in
learning for mobile and transient students, while maintaining an appreciation of the School’s local environment.
ISHCMC offers all three International Baccalaureate Programmes. The IB Programme is a comprehensive,
inquiry-based approach to teaching and learning which develops the intellectual, personal, emotional and
social skills needed to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalizing world. Teachers use their collective, wideranging experiences to continually allow a successful program to run.
The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) operates for students age 2 (Early Explorers 2) to 11 (Studio 5). In
the Secondary School, coursework for Grades 6 -10 (students age 12 - 15) is based on the IB Middle Years
Programme (MYP). Grades 11 and 12 (students age 16 - 18 years) undertake the IB Diploma Programme (IB
DP or DP). The IB DP is the final certification for students at ISHCMC. It is an academically challenging and
balanced program of education with final examinations that prepare students for university and life beyond. The
curriculum is taught using AERO standards. MAP testing is also conducted twice a year for Grades 3-10.
Additional Benefits
Additional ISHCMC educational benefits and developments:
• ISHCMC is well-resourced with imported materials from UK, USA and Australia to support the delivery of
the curriculum. The School places an emphasis on the integration of technologies.
• The School offers a 1:1 laptop program in the Secondary School, 1:1 tablets in Grade 5 and 1:1 iPads in
Grades 3 and 4.
• Mandarin and Spanish are taught in Grades 1 - 12. French is offered in Grades 6 - 12. Mother tongue
study is encouraged within a range of flexible options.
• A successful completion of Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) in Grades 6 - 12 is one of the
requirements for obtaining the MYP Certificate and the IB Diploma from ISHCMC. There are a wide
range of options available for students with teachers acting as supervisors.
• Multimedia facilities are available to staff and students in the form of video and digital cameras and iPads.
Support is available from our specialist IT integration staff in Primary and Secondary.
• Field trips for Grades 3 - 12 are an essential component of the ISHCMC curriculum and all teaching staff
are required to attend at least one trip a year.
• ISHCMC participates in the ASEAN Sports and Athletics Conference (ASAC), Saigon International
Schools Athletics Conference (SISAC), South East Asia Sports and Athletics Conference (SEASAC),
and a range of Model United Nations (MUN), STEAM and Drama conferences across South-East Asia
throughout the school year.
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Conditions of Employment
Work Permit
According to the Labor Laws of Vietnam, foreigners working in Vietnam must obtain a work permit prior to their
arrival in Vietnam; and the employment is subject to the satisfaction of other pre-employment checks, including
criminal background check, medical check, and reference check It is important to review each section below
carefully. Any mistakes, even small ones, can cause delays in the process (and, in rare cases, this may lead to
the denial of a work permit), so these procedures are considered to be extremely important.
Your Identity
You must ensure that your name in your current passport matches your name on all your other documents
exactly. Names in Vietnam are often very similar, so it is important that documents match exactly. If there are
any differences in spelling, initials, whole names or name changes, even small, you will need to show that all
your documents relate to you. You will be required to show supporting documentation.
Your Qualifications
The Vietnamese government will grant a Work Permit only to foreign teachers who hold a Bachelor’s Degree
and/or a Master of Education in Education. If your University degree is not in education, then a Diploma or
Certificate of Teaching should be enclosed accordingly.
Your Good Character
A criminal/police record check must be done in the country where you now reside. It is assumed you have
been living in one place for the past six months, but if this is not the case, please ask for guidance from
our Human Resources Department. The police record must be signed by that country Foreign Affairs and
Vietnamese Embassy or a Consulate official who can testify that it is genuine.
In addition to the above, each expatriate school employee at ISHCMC must undergo a screening test
administered by an organization called Avvanz. This company will look into your previous history to ensure that
there are no criminal convictions.
Your Health
A health certificate or medical report is required as part of the application dossier for a work permit in Vietnam.
It should be completed and stamped by a hospital or a reliable medical center, notarized by that country’s
Foreign Affairs and Vietnamese Embassy or a Consulate official who can testify that it is genuine.
Notarization and Legalization
All of the above mentioned documents (declaration letters of different names, teaching/education qualifications,
criminal/police record check and medical certificate) must be properly notarized by authorities of the country
where the documents were issued, then authenticated by the country Foreign Affairs and finally legalized by
Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in that country. It should be noted that the wording used for authenticating
documents may be different from country to country. In particular, “notarization” is used for Australia; “legalize”
and “apostille” are used for UK and USA; “authentication” is used for Canada.
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Become an ISHCMC Educator
In general, there are two steps for each document – one (authentication/notarization) from the government
representative of the country and one from the Vietnamese Consulate/Embassy (legalization) in the same
country where the first notarization is obtained.
Your specific requirements will depend on your citizenship, country of qualification and current country of
residence. Therefore please follow the advice of the Vietnamese Consulate/Embassy in the first instance, and if
you have further questions, please email the ISHCMC Human Resources department for assistance: Ms. Bich
Le, HR Assistant Manager at NgocBichLe@ishcmc.edu.vn.
Please ensure that you keep original copies of the receipts for costs of your work permit document notarization
and legalization process, as you will be reimbursed for the fees later.
It should also be highlighted that the process for a work permit assessment in Vietnam normally takes at least
20 working days from the date of lodging all required documents to DoLISA (Department of Labor, Invalids and
Social Affairs).
Significantly, the work permit is a required document for the Customs clearance of your unaccompanied
personal effects, and for your residence permit in Vietnam. Therefore, we suggest that all these required
documents for your work permit application be completed and forwarded to the ISHCMC Human Resources
department as early as possible, and no later than the middle of June.
Entry Visas
Foreigners who come to work in Vietnam cannot enter Vietnam without a working visa or a temporary business
travel visa organized by the school HR for the initial employment. The School will organize your first entry visa to
Vietnam. Your visa will be a 3-month multiple-entry visa based on your employment at ISHCMC and will be used
for the first few months of your employment. It will need to be renewed once you are officially granted a work
permit. Please note that Vietnam Immigration laws do not recognize de-facto spouses as dependents.
You will need to provide to us a photocopy of all pages of your current valid passport and the passports of
all your dependents (that is, all family members who intend to reside in Vietnam), as well as the location or
city where there is a Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate from which you can collect your first entry visa, and the
expected date for collection. The School will initiate official visa paperwork with the Immigration Department
in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. When the official paperwork is completed, the Human Resources department
will email a letter to you informing you of your visa reference number. Once you receive this letter, you must
immediately contact the applicable Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate to complete other paperwork required
for your entry visa. You may be able to obtain this entry visa through a courier with a prepaid return courier
envelope.
Many countries do not have a Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate. In this case, the School will arrange to have
your visa processed at the Vietnamese Embassy in another country.
Please ensure that you keep original copies of the receipts for all costs of your visa processing, as you will be
reimbursed for visa fees later. It is also recommended that you keep some passport size photos of each family
member in the unlikely event that Customs or Immigration officials request these at entry.
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Air Tickets
The contractual air ticket entitlement for ISHCMC teachers is a one-way economy fare from your home of
record, or the country where you currently reside, to Ho Chi Minh City at the beginning of the contract and a
return flight at the end of the contract. Additionally return flights to the agreed home base will be provided on
an annual basis. The School obtains quotations of these flights to determine an appropriate airline and fare.
The School will organize flights and pay the School’s approved travel agents or airlines directly. You will need to
request a booking for these tickets as soon as possible and no later than by the end of April to ensure that a
booking can be made. The School will select the airline and routing based on price and availability.
Once your arrival details are known, you should inform the HR Assistant Manager (Ms. Bich Le) at
NgocBichLe@ishcmc.edu. vn, so that transportation from the airport can be arranged.
Arrival
When arriving into Ho Chi Minh City, at the Tan Son Nhat airport, if you have unaccompanied personal effects,
please be sure to inform the Immigration official and ask her/him for an “Arrival– Departure Declaration” form,
noting the Customs Declaration section. This form must be stamped by the Customs Official before leaving the
airport.
A designated School representative will meet you in the Arrivals area of the airport (outside) and escort you to
the Riverside Apartments or to School. When you arrive, you will be given a “welcome bag” with all necessary
information e.g. handbooks, orientation program, forms.
Teacher Orientation
New teachers for the 2019-2020 school year must arrive in Ho Chi Minh City by around 20th July. On these
dates, you will be expected to be at your temporary accommodation at Riverside Apartments (53 Vo Truong
Toan Street, Thao Dien Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City) and be ready to commence orientation activities in
early August.
The School will pay the cost of your temporary accommodation, plus approximately VND4,000,000 for meals,
for maximum 7 nights from the date of your arrival. These amounts will be settled and paid directly by the
School to Riverside and The Blu Restaurant at Riverside.
We strongly advise all new teachers to arrive around 20th July in order to organize your accommodation, and
to gain an understanding of your new surroundings. Many teachers have reported that it takes a few days to
get used to the climate and the time differences. For some, arriving early is helpful to search for the perfect
permanent housing. This can be a lengthy process, particularly when there might be additional time needed for
contract negotiations and for renovations to be completed. Arriving early will also give you the opportunity to
interview household staff.
The first day of work for returning and new teachers is around 31st July. The first day of class is likely to be
7th August. During the weeks before School commences, new teachers will receive further information and all
teachers will have time to set up their classrooms.
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Become an ISHCMC Educator
Packing and Shipping
Relocation Company
The School makes all logistic arrangements from Ho Chi Minh City with one relocation company. This company
packs and ships, via air or sea, all your belongings to Ho Chi Minh City from the country of origin. The shipping
company currently appointed is Logical Moves (www.logicalmoves.net). Logical Moves has either offices or
agent relationships in most of the cities from which teachers will be relocating to ISHCMC. When arrangements
have been made with the relocation company regarding your shipment, the instructions for contacting the
company in your location will be sent to you via email.
Shipping Allowance
ISHCMC provides all teachers with an unaccompanied sea-freight door-to-door shipment of personal effects at
the beginning of the initial employment contract. The maximum amount for a single teacher is 41,750,000VND,
and 62,625,000VND for a teaching couple. At the end of the final employment contract, ISHCMC will pay a
maximum shipment cost of 62,625,000VND for a single teacher and 93,938,000VND for a teaching couple.
The School will be billed directly by the shipping company, so teachers should not be called upon to pre-pay
any shipping, packing services, packing materials, ground transfer or clearance charges, as all such costs
(except for insurance) are covered by the School (unless the shipping allowance stipulated in the signed offer
letter is exceeded). The shipping allowance represents the total shipping entitlement for all items (personal,
household and professional items). The relocation company in your home country or country of residence will
assist you in estimating what you can ship within your allowance.
Shipping Insurance
You may elect to purchase insurance for your shipment at your own cost. The relocation company will be
able to advise you if you wish to insure your goods and will organize the paperwork if you wish to take up this
option. Insurance is based on the declared replacement value of your goods.
As noted previously, a valid work permit is required for Customs clearance, your shipment may not arrive
before School commences. This is another reason to complete your work permit application as early as
possible.
Housing Allowance
Overseas hired teachers are provided with a monthly housing allowance of 31,313,000VND for a single teacher
and 46,969,000VND for a married teaching couple, which is paid together with the monthly salary. Teachers
are responsible for their accommodation arrangements with appropriate support from the estate agents and
School’s Human Resources department. The value of the housing allowance is subject to tax in Vietnam, tax
shall be the responsibility of the employee. The school will send additional advice and guidance to assist in
your house search, prior to your arrival.
Settling-in Allowance
In addition to the week of temporary accommodation at Riverside Apartments (located adjacent to the School),
newly hired overseas teachers will also be provided with a lump-sum settling-in allowance of 20,875,000VND
per single teacher and 31,313,000VND per teaching couple. These amounts are taxable to the employee.
The settling-in allowance will be paid in cash on the first day of Orientation Week and the equivalent tax will
be deducted in the first month salary. The allowance is for the purchase of items such as curtains, rugs or any
other miscellaneous household items that new arrivals commonly need in order to set-up their households.
These items are available locally for very reasonable prices.
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Salary
All teacher salaries at ISHCMC are stipulated in gross terms before Personal Income Tax (PIT) is calculated.
Employees will be responsible for the payment of Personal Income Tax, and withholding for the PIT applies on
a monthly basis.
Placement on the salary scale is determined according to relevant years of appropriate teaching experience.
Each step equates to a fully completed year of teaching or equivalent relevant experience. It is expected that
a teacher has a minimum of two (2) full years of experience to enter the school on Step 3. The maximum entry
is Step 9. The salary scale will be reviewed regularly by the School’s Board of Management in consultation
with the Head of School. All salary, allowances, and benefits will be paid and taxed in Vietnamese Dong as per
the laws of Vietnam. At the present time, an employee may opt to have the salary or a portion of the salary
deposited into their bank account in USD or exchanged at a rate agreed between the bank and the school on
a monthly basis.
Advancement to the next incremental step on the salary scale is not automatic and will be subject to a
satisfactory performance evaluation by the Head of School or his delegate. Any increase in salary will take
place once per year to coincide with the academic year (effective as from August 1st in each year).
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Staff Categories an
Salary Steps
Annual Basic Gross
Salary 2018-19
Intern Year 1 - Step 1
702,800,000
Intern Year 2 - Step 2
761,900,000
Qualified Teaching Staff - Step 3
923,600,000
Qualified Teaching Staff - Step 4
987,500,000
Qualified Teaching Staff - Step 5
1,017,200,000
Qualified Teaching Staff - Step 6
1,047,800,000
Qualified Teaching Staff - Step 7
1,079,900,000
Qualified Teaching Staff - Step 8
1,112,700,000
Qualified Teaching Staff - Step 9
1,148,300,000
Qualified Teaching Staff - Step 10
1,182,500,000
Qualified Teaching Staff - Step 11
1,220,700,000
Qualified Teaching Staff - Step 12
1,259,300,000
Qualified Teaching Staff - Step 13
1,316,600,000
Qualified Teaching Staff - Step 14
1,363,200,000
Qualified Teaching Staff - Step 15
1,405,200,000
Qualified Teaching Staff - Step 16
1,425,800,000
Qualified Teaching Staff - Step 17
1,452,700,000
Qualified Teaching Staff - Step 18
1,473,000,000
Become an ISHCMC Educator
Taxation
All salary, allowances, benefits and bonuses (if applicable) paid to the employee are stated as gross amounts,
before the calculations and deductions of Personal Income Tax (PIT) in accordance with the Tax Laws of Vietnam. The date for determining taxable income shall be at the date on which the employer pays the salary to
the employee, which is monthly.
The table below shows the current PIT rates on total gross income, which includes salary, allowances, benefits
and bonuses (if applicable):
Tax Bracket
Portion of Annual Assessable Income
(million VND)
Tax Rate
(%)
1
Up to 60
5
2
Over 60 to 120
10
3
Over 120 to 216
15
4
Over 216 to 384
20
5
Over 384 to 624
25
6
Over 624 to 960
30
7
Over 960
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Example PIT Calculation (Simplified)
In reality, the tax calculation is more complex than that set out above and the elements of tax relief applied
under government legislation, the 26.9% demonstrated would be around the maximum that any individual on
the salary scale would pay.
Responsibility Allowances
Salaries for a number of positions are supplemented with responsibility allowances. These are taxable
cash amounts paid to teachers who take on major additional responsibilities which cannot be adequately
compensated for with reduced teaching loads.
State Compulsory Health Insurance
Under Vietnamese law, an expatriate employee is required to contribute 1.5% of his/her monthly basic gross
salary to the State compulsory health insurance fund, However, with a current annual cap of 27,800,000
VND stipulated by the Government, an amount of 417,000 VND per month will be deducted from each expat
employee’s monthly salary accordingly. The cap for making contribution to the State compulsory health
insurance is normally adjusted by the Government every year.
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Medical Insurance
Private non-compulsory medical insurance is provided to all expatriate employees and their recognized
dependents, to coincide with the employment period stated in the employment contract, or other specific start
date requested by the Head of School. This is an international cover (excluding the United States of America).
The following gives an idea of the approximate costs depending upon the teacher’s personal situation:
•
•
•
•
Single teacher: approximately $1,983.29 per year.
Single teacher with a trailing spouse only or teaching couple: approximately $3,966.58 per year.
Single teacher with dependent children: approximately $3,768.25 per year.
Single teacher with a trailing spouse and dependent children: approximately $5,354.88 per year.
It should be noted that the School reserves the right to change insurance providers at any time. Employees
may not be covered by the insurance company for loss or/and injury in cases where they are in violation of
local laws, e.g. driving a motorbike without a driving license or helmet.
Upon completion of employment with the School, medical insurance coverage will be terminated on the date
of contract completion (normally 27st July), or date of early termination, whichever is earlier.
ISHCMC Dress Code
Teachers, Academic Assistants, Teaching Assistants and the Business Support Team
Vietnam is a conservative country and ISHCMC serves a multicultural community. We expect our teachers and
support staff dress professionally and appropriately for all occasions. Given the warm weather we experience
there are also some guidelines as the appropriate type of clothing and footwear.
With the obvious exception of PE and swimming staff*, professional attire should be worn by teaching staff,
academic assistants, teaching assistants and business management team members. The following should be
used as a guide to the minimum criteria for determining dress:
Ladies should dress professionally and conservatively, avoiding see-through fabrics, low necklines or tops with
shoestring straps. Shorts or skirts should be no shorter than just above the knees. Shoes should be smart and
clean and sandals should have a strap. Flip-flops should not be worn due to safety requirements
Gentlemen should wear a smart short-sleeved or long-sleeved shirt with a collar that could hold a tie. It should
be tucked into the trousers; an exception would be house days when house shirts should be worn. Long,
smart trousers should be worn with smart clean shoes (canvas shoes or sports shoes are not appropriate).
To maintain respect for Vietnam’s culture and in a professional workplace all staff should remove visible body
piercings (except unobtrusive nose studs and earrings) and tattoos should be covered.
All teachers, academic assistants, teaching assistants and academic business staff should avoid wearing
t-shirts, jeans, running shoes or other casual wear during the work day. Logos on shirts should be discrete and
should not advertise any particular organization or event. ISHCMC logos are acceptable.
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Become an ISHCMC Educator
Formal and Public occasions
(e.g. graduation ceremonies, parent conferences, or when leading workshops at conferences).
•
•
Male staff should wear a business shirt, a tie, jacket, and business trousers.
Females should be dressed in business clothing.
It is recognized that there will be occasions, or particular days when staff will engage in activities which
will require more practical clothing for the task at hand, such as field trips or ‘play activities’ with students.
Likewise, if staff are unsure of the requirements they should discuss the matter with their Principal. If there are
occasions when staff are asked to dress more appropriately then the decision should be accepted with good
grace.
It is worth noting that larger sized clothes and shoes can be more difficult to source easily in Vietnam.
“ Business attire” should be worn by the PE staff at all formal occasions.
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LIVING IN HO CHI MINH CITY
Living in Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam is a developing country but is not, by any standards, underdeveloped. Infrastructure, in terms of roads,
telecommunications and electricity, are well developed and reliable. There has been, and will continue to be, an
increase in the availability of consumer goods and imported food stuffs, with a number of new supermarkets,
shopping malls and cinemas showing English-language films. Everything needed for daily living, household, and
school is becoming more and more widely available, and there is an increasing number of leisure opportunities,
such as fitness clubs and sporting facilities, restaurants and bars, cultural events and nearby resorts.
All of this said, you should not expect daily life to function the same way as in your home country, or even the
country you are leaving. Vietnam has its own way of doing things, some of which will be a blessing to you
and some of which will cause frustration. A sense of humor, much patience and a consciousness that you
are in Vietnam as a guest are all recommended. You can see a Vietnam in transformation by watching this
video ‘Welcome to Vietnam’ www.youtube.com/watch?v=flTcrOns02I, and this link
www.insider-journeys.com/blog-articles/welcome-to-vietnam.
Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon, was formerly known as the “Pearl of the Orient”, with a population of around ten
million people, including approximately 60,000 expatriates. Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s largest city and an
important commercial hub and regional seaport. With its tropical climate, a cosmopolitan population and a
mixture of shopping malls and markets, it’s an easy choice of home away from home for many expats. The
city offers a fast-paced lifestyle within a culture steeped in history. The contrast is perhaps most evident in
the juxtaposition of French-colonial architecture with high-rise buildings and skyscrapers, as well as in the
traditional markets across the road from busy shopping centres selling the latest in designer goods.
While Ho Chi Minh City is the financial capital of Vietnam, the cost of living will not burn a hole in an expat’s
pocket. Local goods are cheap and, while imported Western goods are more expensive, they are readily
available.
There are ways of becoming connected to the local Vietnamese community, notably by participating
in community service activities through the school, Charitable groups or other activities. The expatriate
community is an active one, with many opportunities for socializing, playing sport, becoming involved in
community work, or even joining a drama group or a band.
More information about Ho Chi Minh City can be found in The Word HCMC Magazine at www.wordhcmc.com
and Asia Life Magazine at www.asialifemagazine.com.
Language
Most words in Vietnamese are only three or four letters long, making the language appear easy. The stumbling
blocks, however, are the six tones that can give a word different meanings e.g. “cam” means orange, don’t,
flirt, nice, hold, feel, and sick depending on the pronunciation. Vietnamese people greatly appreciate any
attempts to learn their language and will engage easily in simple conversations, with varying degrees of
success! They also like to practice their English with any and all foreigners. When all else fails, the Vietnamese
are adept at non-verbal communication and this can be a very helpful skill for expatriates to also learn.
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Climate
Vietnam has a remarkably diverse climate due to its wide range of both latitudes and altitudes. The country’s
weather is determined by two monsoons. There is a relatively dry winter monsoon, which affects mainly the
northern part of Vietnam above Danang. It comes from the northeast between October and March. From
April to October, the southwestern monsoon blows, bringing warm, damp weather to the whole country. The
rainfall at this time is heavy and Ho Chi Minh City can have spectacular electrical storms. Ho Chi Minh City has
a rather consistent average temperature of between 25 and 31 degrees Celsius. The hottest time of year is
between February and April; the driest and most pleasant is from December through February.
Transportation
Transportation is a big topic in Vietnam, and the art of simply crossing the street is a skill that expats need to
learn swiftly. There are buses and bus routes around the city, but they are not fully accessible to Westerners
unless they speak a little Vietnamese. Grab Vietnam offers both taxi and motorbike bookings. Taxis are cheap,
provided you use a reputable company, and generally safe. There are also many “xe-om” drivers (drivers of
motorbikes who offer to take people short distances for a small fee).
While the challenges and hazards of vehicle traffic in Ho Chi Minh City cannot be over emphasized, many
teachers also opt for the independence of owning a bicycle or motorcycle for mobility. Transport to and from
the school will be organized for you during the orientation period, but after this, you will likely find yourself on a
bike or motorbike, or taking taxis which, are easily found outside most hotels apartments, restaurants and on
the street.
Health and Medical
Medical facilities in Ho Chi Minh City are not the same as in developed countries. However, very adequate
facilities for foreigners do exist, and are staffed with resident foreign doctors, and are within close vicinity to
the School. The Franco Vietnamese (FV) Hospital (www.fvhospital.com) has outpatient and inpatient services
in most specialties, including obstetrics. The Family Medical (www.vietnammedicalpractice.com) and Raffles
Medical Center (www.rafflesmedicalgroup.com/international-clinics/locations/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city) are
the go-to clinics for normal things doctors visits and prescriptions. There is a clinic near the School and
others in the city. There are also alternative health care options in Ho Chi Minh City, with a number of reliable
acupressure and acupuncture practitioners. In addition, there are many opportunities for meditation, yoga and
other wellness and health-related practices.
Teachers (and any accompanying family members) should consider immunization against typhoid, polio,
diphtheria, tetanus, pre-rabies (a series of 3 injections), hepatitis A, and hepatitis B and Japanese encephalitis
(a series of 3 injections). It should be noted that the cost of all such immunizations is covered by the School’s
medical insurance scheme, and for this reason, it is recommended that teachers obtain any necessary
immunizations after arrival into Vietnam. Should you choose to obtain immunizations before you arrive, these
will at your own expense.
Even though most medications are available over-the-counter at local pharmacies in Vietnam, you may wish to
bring a supply of any prescription medications you need. You may be able to replace them here, but it is better
to feel comfortable that you have what you are familiar with at the start of a new contract.
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Living in Ho Chi Minh City
Shopping
Though many shops in Ho Chi Minh City have fixed prices, bargaining is a way of life in and a custom that
takes practice and patience. You will find the cost of locally produced food and goods to be quite inexpensive
compared to costs in Western developed countries. Buying products of any kind which are imported from
Western countries will add significantly to the amount you spend, but the convenience and pleasure of familiar
or Western quality goods may outweigh the cost.
Many items are sold at higher prices to expatriates, so negotiation is a fact of life. It‘s possible to avoid these
extra costs by asking your household helper or other local person to shop for you or with you.
In terms of food, you can buy everything you need for eating healthily in Ho Chi Minh City. The amount, variety
and quality of goods which are locally available gets better every day. Expatriates can obtain goods through
markets and supermarkets close to home, and a full list of such markets is available on The Word
(www.wordhcmc.com) and AsiaLIFE magazines (www.asialifemagazine.com), mentioned above. Of particular
note are the Mega Market located on the opposite side of the main highway from the School, which is a cash
and carry store, An Phu – APSC Supermarket (720, An Dien, An Phu, District 2), which has a very large range
of food, including imported food, and Nam An Market and Annam Market both of which are on Thao Dien
Street and sell fresh produce and imported goods. Most food in supermarkets, small shops and even markets
is fixed price.
Eating Out
There is a large choice of establishments for eating out in Ho Chi Minh City, from street food and simple cafes
to more expensive upmarket restaurants. Street food is extremely inexpensive and a great way to experience
the local culture, particularly if you are attending a “Bia Hoi” (your colleagues are sure to introduce you to this
drinking experience shortly after your arrival!).
Good Vietnamese food is available in many restaurants around town, and favorites and new entries are listed
in the magazines, along with many other restaurants catering to all tastes - from the cheap and cheerful to the
fashionable restaurants and bars in downtown District 1. If you are currently living in a major North American,
European, Australian or other developed city, you will find the prices very reasonable.
Imported wine continues to be of a slightly higher cost, but the variety continues to getter better all the time.
Getting Away, Out and About
The social life in Ho Chi Minh City is varied. There is an array of social venues, bars and restaurants. There are
opportunities to join sports clubs, interest groups and attend community events. Travel within Vietnam and
South East Asia is very easy and affordable. Trips or weekends away can be organized through many local
travel agents.
The School Social Committee is a fun and active group which organizes a variety of events each month. In
the past, these have included activities such as paintballing, TGIF drinks, group meals and shopping trips. The
Social Committee also organizes two big parties, one in December and the other at the end of the year.
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TEACHER TESTIMONIALS
Teacher Testimonials
Ashley Moreno
Primary Teacher
Ho Chi Minh City and ISHCMC have been home to our family of five for the
last seven years. Before the first day of school had even arrived in 2011,
the ISHCMC community was welcoming and supportive. My children (ages
18, 14 and 10) have thrived in this community and have become true global
citizens. Our family has enjoyed exploring much that Vietnam has to offer from
it’s beautiful beaches, to mountain trekking and meeting the numerous ethnic
tribes. The world is at your feet with an amazing selection of restaurants and
nightlife in District 1. Professionally, I have been given the opportunity to try
new approaches to education with permission to learn from failures, to work
with amazing teams, and stay on the cutting edge of what is happening with
the future of education. ISHCMC and Ho Chi Minh City have provided a
wonderful “family away from family” for our family.
My husband and I were so thrilled to join the ISHCMC community for the
2018-2019 school year. The relocation process was made much easier with
the support from HR and the ISHCMC staff with ample information about
visas, housing options and temporary accommodation to give us time to settle.
Best of all, the school provided so many opportunities to connect with new
and existing colleagues so we already felt part of the team before the students
started.
ISHCMC is a friendly and welcoming environment and the leadership team are
very supportive. Every day, you are given the freedom to take risks. We are
encouraged to lead the way as educators and be role models to our students,
trying new things, making mistakes and striving for success. Staff can get
involved in many activities and sports teams within the school community and
also in the wider Ho Chi Minh City community. Whatever you’re into, there’s
something for you!
Emily Heys
Secondary Teacher
Thao Dien is a fantastic place to live. There are so many restaurants to try
and everything is only a short walk, cycle or taxi ride away. With the generous
housing allowance, you can choose to live in a villa, house or apartment block;
whatever suits your needs. Many of us live just a few minutes away from school
by bike, but if you’d prefer to live further away, it’s very easy to get around! It’s a
fantastic place to live and work.
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Teacher Testimonials
A year ago, my partner and I arrived for orientation. Kurtis, the Primary
Principal, met us at the airport and ever since, we have felt welcome and
cared for at ISHCMC. The orientation itself was great, with many opportunities
to develop friendships and meet new staff from all across the school.
HCMC is an exciting, dynamic place to live. The landscape is constantly
evolving, with new restaurants, pubs and cafes opening all the time.
Thao Dien is like a village in the city: it is very easy to meet up with friends and
there are a huge amount of opportunities nearby – you could do a different
activity almost every night and never get bored, rock climbing, football, yoga,
rooftop cinema, pool, sewing and loads more.
Vietnam is a beautiful country with many highlights – Hoi An, Ha Long Bay,
Hanoi, Sa Pa… the list goes on. It is easy to visit further afield too – Cambodia
and Thailand are a cheap flight away and HCMC is well connected to the rest
of East Asia.
Stephen Flett
Primary Teacher
Last year I had the opportunity to visit the EARCOS conference with
other members of my team. This was a very worthwhile experience and I
appreciated the encouragement to develop my own practice. At ISHCMC,
teachers strive to challenge, push boundaries and innovate; making it is an
exciting place to work. I have learned a lot already during my time at ISHCMC
ISHCMC has a vibrancy that is an extension of the district and city in which it is
placed. Coming here, all the way from South Africa, was a seamless transition –
you feel welcomed before you even land on Vietnamese soil. Upon arrival, I was
immediately exposed to a “work hard, and don’t forget to play” atmosphere.
The lifestyle balance was better than I could have imagined, with work being
challenging, progressive and exciting, and the play including a range of sports,
socializing, and various community-based events – there is something for both
my wife and I to enjoy on any given day of the week.
Dominic Verwey
Secondary Teacher
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Staying in District 2 gives you a great chance to explore different cuisines,
different cultures and make a diverse group of friends; friends who are family
away from home. Within the school itself, you are always pushed to do your
best, and trusted in your exploration of your own teaching and learning. I have
been given opportunities to travel both locally and internationally to attend some
of the best instances of professional development, one of which actually helped
me discover my direction within teaching. Furthermore, after having poured
myself into school life, I have been privileged to have worked with the adoption
and implementation of a fiery House system, worked alongside some of the best
student leaders on the School Representative Council, and mentored amazingly
dedicated and passionate students through their IB endeavours. I could not
recommend the ISHCMC environment more to any prospective teachers.
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Primary Campus
28 Vo Truong Toan St., An Phu Ward,
D2, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: +84 (28) 3898 9100
Fax: +84 (28) 3898 9382
Email: admissions@ishcmc.edu.vn
www.ishcmc.com
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Secondary Campus
1 Xuan Thuy St., Thao Dien Ward,
D2, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam