Private Tutoring in Vietnam: Rules and Opportunities

Private tutoring in Vietnam is regulated but not banned, with the government tightening rules through Circular 29/2024/TT-BGDĐT (effective February 14, 2025) to prevent coercion and protect students while acknowledging legitimate demand for supplementary instruction. Foreign teachers can legally tutor if they hold valid work permits and comply with three absolute prohibitions: (1) no tutoring primary students in academic subjects except arts, sports, and life skills training (Article 4.1), (2) teachers cannot charge fees to tutor students they currently teach in their school’s official curriculum (Article 4.2), and (3) public school teachers cannot establish or manage external tutoring centers though they may participate as instructors (Article 4.3). All paid tutoring requires business registration with public disclosure of subjects, location, schedule, qualifications, and fees according to Article 6.1.

What Are the Three Absolute Prohibitions Under Circular 29/2024?

Circular 29/2024/TT-BGDĐT Article 4 establishes three activities that are completely prohibited: (1) Organizing tutoring for primary school students except for training in arts, sports, and life skills (Article 4.1), (2) Teachers currently employed at schools charging fees for tutoring students they teach according to the school’s educational plan (Article 4.2), and (3) Teachers from public schools participating in managing or operating external tutoring centers, though they may participate in teaching (Article 4.3). These prohibitions apply equally to Vietnamese and foreign teachers working within Vietnam’s education system and carry administrative penalties plus potential employment termination for violations.

The Circular, issued December 30, 2024 by the Minister of Education and Training, replaces Circular 17/2012/TT-BGDĐT and represents stricter enforcement following documented cases of teacher coercion where students were pressured into paid sessions. According to VietnamNet reporting from February-March 2025, District 12 in Ho Chi Minh City formed Vietnam’s first dedicated tutoring inspection task force in February 2025 to conduct compliance audits.

Understanding Article 4.1: The Primary Student Academic Ban

The prohibition on tutoring primary school students (typically ages 6-11 in Vietnamese public education system) applies only to academic subjects within the national curriculum including Math, Vietnamese language, and foreign language literature. Teachers may legally offer tutoring in:

• Arts subjects (music, painting, drawing, dance)
• Sports activities (swimming, martial arts, football, athletics)
• Life skills training (public speaking, critical thinking, social skills, coding)

This distinction means foreign English teachers at language centers can legally teach English conversation and communication skills to primary-age students because these programs operate independently from the Vietnamese public school curriculum structure. The ban targets pressure on young children for academic performance rather than language acquisition or skill development.

Understanding Article 4.2: The Teacher-Student Fee Prohibition

Article 4.2 specifically prohibits teachers from “offering external tutoring with fees to students they teach according to the school’s educational plan.” According to legal analysis from LawNet and DNP Law (2025), this creates clear boundaries:

• Legal: Mathematics teacher at School A tutors different students at registered Center B for fee
• Legal: Language center teacher offers private lessons to students not enrolled in their regular classes
• Illegal: Teacher charges fees to tutor their own homeroom class students
• Illegal: Teacher operates paid study sessions for students from their official teaching schedule

The regulation aims to eliminate conflicts of interest where teachers have financial incentive to withhold content during regular instruction to drive enrollment in paid sessions.

Understanding Article 4.3: The Public School Teacher Management Ban

Public school teachers face additional restriction – they cannot establish, manage, or operate external tutoring centers. According to Article 4.3, they may participate in teaching at properly registered centers operated by other entities. This means:

• Legal: Public school teacher works as hourly instructor at licensed tutoring center
• Legal: Public school teacher reports outside teaching activity to principal (Form No. 3)
• Illegal: Public school teacher registers business as center owner/operator
• Illegal: Public school teacher manages administrative operations of tutoring business

The distinction preserves teachers’ ability to earn supplementary income while preventing conflicts with their primary employment responsibilities.

What Are the Legal Requirements for Foreign Teachers to Tutor?

Foreign teachers must satisfy six mandatory requirements to legally tutor: (1) Valid work permit issued by provincial DOLISA covering teaching activities (Labor Code 2019 Article 151-152), (2) Bachelor’s degree from recognized institution (verified and apostilled), (3) TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate minimum 120 hours or equivalent teaching certification, (4) Business registration if charging fees with business code 8559 (Other Education Not Elsewhere Classified), (5) Public disclosure of tutoring services per Circular 29/2024 Article 6.1 including subjects, schedule, location, qualifications, and fees, and (6) Criminal background check (apostilled, valid 6 months) with health certificate from Vietnamese medical facility. Failure to meet any requirement creates legal liability with administrative fines 15-25 million VND for foreign workers under Decree 12/2022/ND-CP Article 32 Clause 3.

According to Vietnam’s Labor Code 2019 Article 151, foreign workers must have proper work authorization for income-generating activities. Work permits typically specify a single employer, meaning teaching beyond that authorization requires either employer approval, permit modification, or business registration shifting from employee to business owner status.

Work Permit Scope and Restrictions

Most foreign teacher work permits in Vietnam contain employer-specific authorization. For example, a permit issued for “English Teacher, ABC Language Center, 15 Nguyen Hue Street, District 1, HCMC” authorizes work only at that specific employer and location. According to legal analysis from EIV Education and Vietnam Teaching Jobs (2024-2025), working beyond these parameters without modification violates permit conditions.

Three Legal Approaches:

1. Employer-Authorized Outside Work: Some employment contracts explicitly permit outside tutoring with notification. Teachers must complete Circular 29 Form No. 3 reporting to their principal/director about subjects, location, format, and schedule of external teaching.
2. Part-Time Hourly Contracts: Teachers with part-time arrangements (specifying hours per week rather than exclusive employment) often have contractual flexibility for additional work
3. Independent Business Registration: Teachers whose primary employment ends can establish tutoring businesses, shifting from employee to business owner status

Business Registration Requirements

Circular 29/2024 Article 6.1 mandates business registration for any individual or organization providing paid tutoring outside school premises. According to Decree on household businesses and Vietnamese Enterprise Law 2020:

Household Business Registration:

• Eligibility: Vietnamese citizens with full legal capacity, or foreign residents with Vietnamese citizen co-registrant (typically spouse/family member)
• Timeline: 3 working days from submission of valid application (Article on household business procedures)
• Location: District-level Business Registration Office
• Code: 8559 – Other Education Not Elsewhere Classified

Required Documents (per legal guidance):

1. Household business registration application
2. Identification documents (passport for foreigners, ID card for co-registrant)
3. Address proof for business location
4. Business plan describing tutoring services

Understanding these regulatory requirements helps foreign teachers navigate Vietnam’s education landscape professionally. Just as tutoring regulations protect students and maintain professional standards, Vietnam’s broader education fee structures ensure transparency across all school types. For comprehensive insights into how Vietnamese schools structure their fee systems—from public schools to international institutions—explore our detailed breakdown at Vietnam School Fees Breakdown: Complete Cost Analysis for Parents, which examines tuition structures, additional fees, and financial planning strategies for families in Vietnam’s education system.

What Information Must Be Publicly Disclosed?

Circular 29/2024 Article 6.1 requires all paid tutoring providers to publicly disclose via website or physical posting at business location: (1) Subjects offered with grade-level specifications, (2) Duration of tutoring for each subject per grade, (3) Physical location with address, (4) Format and schedule of sessions with specific days/times, (5) Complete list of teachers with qualifications, and (6) Fee structure clearly stating rates before enrolling students, using Form No. 02 from Circular appendix. Teachers employed at schools who participate in external tutoring must additionally report to their employer using Form No. 3 including subjects, location, format, and schedule. Failure to maintain current public disclosure constitutes regulatory violation subject to administrative enforcement.

According to legal analysis from Lexology and DNP Law (December 2024-February 2025), this transparency requirement aims to enable parent verification and regulatory oversight. The public disclosure must be updated whenever material changes occur to subjects, fees, schedule, or instructor qualifications.

Form No. 02 Disclosure Requirements

The standard disclosure format specified in Circular 29/2024 Appendix Form No. 02 must include:

Minimum Required Information:

• Business name and registration number
• Physical address with district/ward details
• Subjects taught: Specific list (e.g., “English conversation,” “IELTS preparation,” “Math grades 6-9”)
• Duration: Hours per week for each subject-grade combination
• Schedule: Specific days and times (e.g., “Monday-Wednesday 18:00-19:30”)
• Teacher qualifications: Degree, certifications, teaching experience
• Fee structure: Hourly or monthly rates clearly stated in VND

Form No. 03 Employer Notification

Teachers employed at schools must use Form No. 03 to notify their principal/director when engaging in outside tutoring. According to Article 6 requirements, this report must specify:

• Subjects to be taught externally
• Location of outside tutoring (center name and address)
• Format (individual, group, online)
• Schedule showing no conflict with primary employment

Employers cannot unreasonably withhold approval for non-competing educational activities, though they may require confirmation that outside work will not impact primary job performance.

What Are the Penalties for Illegal Tutoring?

Foreign teachers conducting unauthorized tutoring face administrative fines of 15-25 million VND ($600-1,000) under Decree 12/2022/ND-CP Article 32 Clause 3, plus work permit revocation by provincial DOLISA resulting in visa cancellation with required departure within 15 days according to Labor Code 2019 Article 153. Employers using foreign workers without proper work permits face higher fines: 30-45 million VND for violations involving 1-10 people, 45-60 million VND for 11-20 people, and 60-75 million VND for 21+ people according to Decree 12/2022/ND-CP Article 32 Clause 4. Teachers who tutor students they currently teach in violation of Article 4.2 face employment disciplinary action from warnings to dismissal plus administrative fines.

According to enforcement reports from VietnamNet and Vietnam.vn (February-April 2025), authorities have intensified inspections following Circular 29 implementation. In Ha Dong district Hanoi, 5 teachers at Van Yen Secondary School were classified as “not completing duties” for illegal tutoring in February 2025, with 2 teachers facing disciplinary action for tutoring their own class students.

Specific Violation Categories and Penalties

Violation 1: Operating Without Business Registration

• Legal basis: Enterprise Law 2020, Business Household regulations
• Penalty: Administrative fine plus cease operations order
• Additional: Retroactive tax assessment on unreported income
• Enforcement: District-level inspection teams conduct audits

Violation 2: Tutoring Prohibited Students

• Legal basis: Circular 29/2024 Article 4.1-4.2
• Penalty: Administrative fine plus employment contract violations
• Additional: School disciplinary action (warning to dismissal)
• Enforcement: Parent complaints trigger investigations

Violation 3: Foreign Worker Without Work Permit

• Legal basis: Labor Code 2019 Article 151-153, Decree 12/2022/ND-CP
• Penalty: 15-25 million VND individual fine
• Additional: Work permit revocation + visa cancellation + 15-day departure requirement
• Enforcement: Immigration coordination with education departments

Violation 4: Public School Teacher Managing Center

• Legal basis: Circular 29/2024 Article 4.3
• Penalty: Administrative fine plus employment termination
• Additional: Professional license review, career implications
• Enforcement: Education department oversight

How Can Foreign Teachers Generate Supplementary Income Legally?

Specific income rates for private tutoring vary widely by location, subject specialty, teacher qualifications, and student demographics. The following information represents general market observations from job platforms and teacher forums rather than verified statistical data. Foreign teachers should research current rates in their specific city and subject area.

Foreign teachers commonly pursue supplementary income through several channels while maintaining legal compliance:

Option 1: Part-Time Language Center Contracts
Language centers typically hire teachers for evening and weekend classes outside standard school hours. These positions usually involve:

• Schedule: Evenings 17:30-20:30, weekend mornings/afternoons
• Students: Mixed ages, primarily youth/young adults
• Materials: Center-provided curricula
• Contract: Month-to-month or semester-based
• Legal requirement: Must be included in work permit scope OR require employer approval

Option 2: Online Teaching Platforms
Teachers can work with online platforms serving Vietnamese or international students:

• Vietnamese platforms: Companies like Topica, ELSA Speak connecting local students with foreign teachers
• International platforms: Services like iTalki, Cambly, Preply serving global markets
• Legal status: Income-generating activity technically requiring business registration
• Tax implications: Must be reported for personal income tax purposes

Option 3: Registered Private Tutoring Business
Teachers establishing independent tutoring businesses gain full control over rates and scheduling but must:

• Complete business registration (household business or enterprise)
• Maintain public disclosure (website or posted information)
• File quarterly tax declarations
• Keep detailed records (student enrollment, financial documentation)
• Comply with all Circular 29/2024 requirements

Option 4: Corporate English Training
Vietnamese companies invest in employee English development, creating demand for business-focused instruction:

• Contract: Project-based (typically 8-12 week courses)
• Location: On-site at company offices
• Students: Working professionals
• Subject focus: Business communication, presentations, professional writing

What Should Foreign Teachers Know About Compliance?

Foreign teachers should adopt a systematic compliance approach: (1) Review current work permit to identify employer restrictions and scope limitations, (2) Discuss outside teaching interest with current employer and obtain written approval if employed full-time, completing Form No. 3 notification as required by Circular 29/2024 Article 6, (3) Register household business or enterprise if offering paid tutoring services with business code 8559, (4) Create and maintain public disclosure of services per Article 6.1 requirements using Form No. 02, (5) Strictly avoid prohibited activities including primary academic subjects and charging fees to own students, and (6) Keep detailed records of all tutoring activities, student enrollments, and fee receipts for tax compliance and regulatory inspection purposes. Transparency with employers and formal registration provide legal protection and sustainable income opportunities without jeopardizing primary employment or immigration status.

According to guidance from EIV Education (2024) and Vietnam Teaching Jobs (2025), the regulatory framework rewards professionalism and transparency. Teachers who invest time establishing compliant operations gain long-term sustainable income with full legal protection, while those operating informally face escalating enforcement risks.

Recommended Compliance Steps

Phase 1: Status Assessment

1. Review current work permit – identify employer and scope
2. Review employment contract – check clauses about outside work
3. Assess realistic tutoring hours available without impacting primary role

Phase 2: Employer Communication

1. Schedule meeting with supervisor/HR
2. Complete Circular 29 Form No. 3 if employed at school
3. Obtain written approval
4. Clarify boundaries (non-competing services, no conflict)

Phase 3: Business Registration

1. Prepare required documents
2. Submit application to district office
3. Receive registration certificate (typically 3 working days)
4. Obtain business seal if needed

Phase 4: Operations Setup

1. Create public disclosure (Form No. 02)
2. Establish record-keeping system
3. Arrange compliant teaching location
4. Market services professionally

Phase 5: Ongoing Compliance

1. File tax declarations (frequency based on business type)
2. Maintain current public disclosures
3. Keep detailed records
4. Update employer on any changes

Discover More About Living & Working in Vietnam

Understanding tutoring regulations is essential, but thriving in Vietnam requires deeper cultural knowledge. Explore our comprehensive Culture & Integration guides covering:

• Workplace Culture: Vietnamese professional norms, communication styles, and relationship-building strategies
• Daily Life Navigation: Banking, housing, transportation, and healthcare systems
• Social Integration: Building friendships, understanding cultural values, and participating in community life
• Language Learning: Practical Vietnamese phrases for teachers and survival language skills
• Expat Community: Connecting with other foreign teachers and international residents

Browse Culture & Integration Resources →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I tutor students on a tourist visa?

No, teaching on a tourist visa is illegal regardless of whether payment is received. According to Labor Code 2019 Article 153, foreign nationals working in Vietnam without proper work permits face forced exit or deportation. Tourist visas authorize tourism activities only – any form of teaching constitutes work requiring proper authorization.

Does my work permit cover private tutoring?

Most work permits specify a single employer and do not automatically authorize additional teaching work. According to Labor Code 2019 Article 152, work permits must specify employer name, work location, and job title. Working beyond these specified parameters violates permit conditions unless you have employer approval, permit modification, or establish independent business registration.

What subjects can I tutor to primary students?

Foreign teachers can legally tutor primary school students only in arts, sports, and life skills – NOT academic subjects like Math or Vietnamese. According to Circular 29/2024 Article 4.1, the prohibition applies to academic curriculum subjects. Arts (music, painting), sports (swimming, martial arts), and life skills (coding, public speaking) are permitted without age restrictions.

Can I charge fees to tutor students from my school?

No, Circular 29/2024 Article 4.2 explicitly prohibits teachers from charging fees to tutor students they teach according to their school’s educational plan. This applies whether tutoring occurs at your home, a center, or online. Teachers found violating this provision face employment disciplinary action plus administrative fines.

What happens if I’m caught tutoring illegally?

Foreign teachers face administrative fines of 15-25 million VND, work permit revocation, and visa cancellation requiring departure within 15 days. According to Decree 12/2022/ND-CP Article 32 and Labor Code 2019 Article 153, violations of work permit requirements trigger both financial penalties and immigration consequences including potential blacklisting from future work permit applications.

Do I need to register even for small-scale tutoring?

Yes, Circular 29/2024 Article 6.1 requires business registration for any paid tutoring services regardless of scale. Whether tutoring one student or twenty, paid instruction outside school premises requires proper business registration with public disclosure of services. The regulation contains no minimum threshold exempting small-scale operations.