It’s not uncommon to hear of people quitting their jobs, selling everything they own, and buying a one-way ticket to a different country. If this is a story you’ve never heard before, then you’ve never been to South East Asia (of course including Da Nang). This region is overflowing with backpackers who quit their day jobs and left everything they knew behind for a new, exciting way of life.
It’s also quite normal for travelers to extend their trip past the original planned length once they’ve gotten a feel for the backpacker life. Experiencing the freedom of exploring a new country is exhilarating and addicting. A taste is never enough.
There are a lot of possibilities for making money on the go. Some of the easiest solutions are below.
Teaching English (or any language)
This is the easiest type of job to get for native English speakers. Teaching jobs are incredibly abundant around the world, especially in Vietnam. The essential qualification for teaching in Vietnam is a degree. The consensus these days seems to be that you need at least a 120-hour TEFL or TESOL certificate to teach in Vietnam. This is not coming from the English Center so much, but immigration, for the most part, is requiring teachers to show proof of a 120-hour TEFL or TESOL certificate along with the other documents before they will process your visa. There are a couple of reputable companies that request these qualifications, such as ILA Vietnam and British Council, but there’s much more competition to secure these jobs.
Not a native English speaker? Teach your own language. There’s a language school out there for everyone. You can also use websites like iTalki to teach people your native language online. You can do this from anywhere in the world and you don’t need any special accreditation. Sign in, talk, and get paid!
Photographer
If you know your way around a camera, take some photos of your travels and try to sell them. Try using photo editing services for a better picture quality that can bring more money to the table. You can open up a lot of profiles on sites that offer to sell your work for a low fee. Explore the land of incredible myths and horrors while capturing it all in beautiful photos.
Work as a translator
Apart from working as a translator online, you can profit from advertising your skills in local hotels and shops. For an online job, try your luck on Upwork and Freelancer.
Travel blog
This is not quite as easy and demands a lot of time and previous experience. You need to be well-informed, inspired and established on social media, as there are many travel websites that do a great job of engaging readers, and breaking into the niche can be a bit difficult. Start your travel blog by getting your own domain name and hosting site.
Use your skills
Use your existing skills and talents to find work. Teach people how to play music or how to dance, cut hair, offer business consulting, cook for people — use whatever skills you have to find a job. Don’t be shy. Be creative! Websites like Craigslist and Gumtree are two places to advertise your abilities and find work. Where there’s a will, there is a way!
Creating your job is one of the easiest ways to get a job. Somewhere at the destination you are going is a person who wants to learn the skill you have. Teach them. Get paid.
Some steps you can take to find a job overseas:
- Search job boards before you leave.
- Contact expat groups before you leave (and when you arrive). Attend their meetups.
- Create a LinkedIn profile.
- Bring copies of your résumé, recommendations, and any other professional certificates.
- Make business cards.
- Go to as many networking events as possible.
- Apply for jobs from local job boards.
You can find good jobs, but it is not easy.
FEATURED TOURS AND EXPERIENCES
