Have you ever thought of visiting and teaching English in Vietnam? Vietnam has been widely known as a beautiful travelling destination with the coastline stretching across the country. As a matter of fact, more and more people from all over the world come to visit and stay in this stunning tropical country every year. Most foreigners coming to Vietnam choose teaching English as it is one of the most stable ways to earn a good amount of income in order to live a comfortable life here. So in this article, we will provide you the complete guide on what you should know about teaching English in Vietnam.
Why Should You Teach English in Vietnam?
If you take a look at Nas Daily’s video about Vietnam, you’ll notice that he asserts over and over again that Vietnam is indeed a “happy” country. The people here are inherently friendly and non-judgmental. When teaching English in Vietnam, many foreigners confess that they love Vietnam because of its beautiful scenery, low cost of living, and sweet people. In addition, because the demand for foreigners to teach English in Vietnam is increasing, you will not have to worry about the lack of job opportunities when you come here.
1. Job Opportunities for Teaching English in Vietnam Increase Greatly
As a developing country with a high growth rate in Southeast Asia, Vietnam’s need to popularize English for international integration is increasing sharply, along with a great demand for a number of foreign English teachers in Vietnam. This helps create many job opportunities for foreigners, especially native English speakers. In particular, in the context of recovering the economy and education after the epidemic period, the demand for English teachers is much higher.
In addition, if you are good at something other than teaching, there are also many other job opportunities beside teaching in Vietnam such as manager, supervisor or technical specialist.
2. Favorable Climate and Beautiful Landscape
Vietnam is a country with a temperate monsoon climate with few natural disasters, and the weather is quite pleasant to live in. Nature also favors Vietnam because it is located adjacent to the East Sea with rich natural resources, diverse and beautiful landscapes, making Vietnam really a paradise to live and work. Besides, accompanied by a favorable climate is a wealth of agricultural products and fruits. Foreigners living and teaching English in Vietnam can enjoy delicious and nutritious foods at a very reasonable cost.
3. Safety
Compared to other neighboring countries in the region, Vietnam is one of the best secure countries in the world. In Vietnam, there is almost no terrorist violence. Crime rate is also very low, thanks to the ability of the government to control extremely well. This is an advantage that attracts foreigners because they will obviously feel more secure when teaching English in Vietnam.
4. People and Culture
Kindness, friendliness, openness, and hospitality are common characteristics of the people here. In Vietnam, teachers of color still teach at regular English centers. People are always happy to offer help to foreigners, which can be rare in other countries.
Besides, expats find teaching in Vietnam an ideal occupation as they have a fixed working schedule, which allows them to spend the rest of their time for travelling, enjoying life and having fun with their mates.
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Cost of Living When Teaching English in Vietnam
The cost of living in Vietnam varies depending on the city or province you decide to live in, but generally speaking, as a foreigner, it is possible to live in any province or city in Vietnam with approximately $600 per month per person.
As a matter of fact, in the largest and most developed cities, such as Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) or Hanoi, the cost of living is a little more expensive than the rest, especially when it comes to rent, leisure activities and food.
How Much Can You Make When Teaching English in Vietnam?
A commonly-asked question by anyone who’s interested in teaching in Vietnam is “how much can English teachers make in Vietnam?”.
In general, there are two types of places where a foreigner can teach English in Vietnam: language centers and international schools/universities.
Language Centers
- Average salary: $1,500 per month
- With weekend classes: Up to $2,000 per month
- Target students: Mixed ages, many adult classes on weekends
- Recruitment: Relatively easy due to high demand
International Schools/Universities
- Average salary: $1,800-$2,500 per month
- With additional effort: Up to $2,500 per month
- Target students: Children of all ages
- Requirements: More demanding but higher pay
If you are a workaholic, you can choose to work on the weekend. Most of these weekend classes are for adults, so the income could increase significantly. And nothing will stop you from choosing a part-time job, so there are a lot of opportunities to earn money when teaching in Vietnam.
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Benefits of Teaching English in Vietnam
Besides the basic benefits that an English teacher can get like health insurance, at least 13 paid holidays, work permit and visa sponsorship, you can enjoy other perks when teaching in Vietnam, depending on where you work. Among them are:
Standard Benefits
- Health insurance coverage
- Minimum 13 paid holidays annually
- Work permit and visa sponsorship
- Stable working schedule
Additional Perks
- Housing allowance: Up to 5 million VND for covering rent and accommodation expenses
- Transportation allowance: Gas expenses if your house is distant from the school
- Tuition coverage for children: Exemption from tuition fees at international schools for your children
- KPIs bonus: Performance-based incentives
- Contract completion bonus: End-of-contract bonus (typically after 1 year)
- Accommodation provided: Some employers provide housing
- Vacation trips: Company-sponsored travel opportunities
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Requirements for Teaching English in Vietnam
Many foreigners are now planning to come to Vietnam in the near future, when the country has fully reopened to visitors from all over the world. Some even plan to stay and find a teaching job here in Vietnam, but don’t know where to start.
Basic Requirements
There are several requirements for a foreigner to get English teaching jobs in Vietnam, but most of them are obtainable:
Essential Requirements
- Education: A 4-year university or college degree, or a pedagogical certificate obtained in any country
- Language Skills: Have a decent accent and a good command of English grammar
- Teaching Certificate: An international English teaching certificate (TESOL, CELTA, TEFL, or PGCEs)
- Experience: At least 1 year experience in teaching English as a second language
Additional Considerations
For managerial positions, the requirements are even more demanding, including:
- Sufficient knowledge of office software and skills
- Proven leadership experience
- Specialized qualifications depending on the role
Special Considerations by Position Type
For Kindergarten Positions:
- Passion for teaching pre-school children
- Patience to handle challenging situations
- Strong soft skills (often more important than hard qualifications)
For Management Roles:
- Advanced technical skills
- Leadership experience
- Specialized knowledge in relevant areas
Can You Teach in Vietnam Without a Degree?
It is advisable that you should have at least a college degree of any field, a health check, a police check, a teaching certificate and some experience working with children. However, some foreigners want to teach English in Vietnam without a college degree while meeting other requirements.
Important Note: You may still be able to get a teaching job in Vietnam without a degree, but not legally, since you don’t meet the most basic requirement to be a teacher.
Alternative Options:
- If you have a 3-year diploma (not 4-year degree), you can still process visa/work permit
- If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree in Education, you need:
- An extra teaching certificate
- Language proficiency certification (for non-native teachers)
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Best Places to Teach English in Vietnam
In Vietnam, you can choose the location to teach English according to your preference of living environment. Many visitors consider Vietnam as a very safe and friendly place for anyone to live. But if you are looking for a well-paid teaching job in Vietnam, you should make a choice to live in big cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or Da Nang.
Important Note: The salary for teaching English in Vietnam decreases the further you live from the major cities, especially in provinces and outskirts. However, the cost of living in these places is not as high as those in the cities, and the atmosphere is much more stress-free.
Teaching English in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh (or Saigon) is about 1,730 kilometers from Hanoi and it’s the center of Southeast Asia. Ho Chi Minh City has the largest port as well as airport in Vietnam. Saigon harborage carries more than 10 million tons every year and Tan Son Nhat airport operates hundreds of flights on a regular basis.
Key Features:
- Geographic advantage makes it the “Pearl of the Orient”
- Center of economics and society
- Famous for diversity where every culture and tradition is embraced
- People are friendly, energetic, and down-to-earth
- Endless job opportunities for foreigners
- Decent salaries with amazing benefits
Important Consideration: Not every teacher can find English teaching jobs easily when they first come to Ho Chi Minh City. You need to be well-prepared financially and mentally before coming to find a job.
Teaching English in Hanoi City
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, one of the three big cities where many foreigners live and work. This is a region in Vietnam where people attach great importance to education, and they are willing to invest a lot of money in their own and their children’s education.
Why Hanoi is Attractive for English Teachers:
- Large population creates constant high demand for foreign teachers
- Headquarters of large, long-standing English centers
- Most prestigious international schools in Vietnam
- Easy access to medical facilities, entertainment, and essential services
- Large established expat community
- Easy to connect with other English teachers and foreigners
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Types of Teaching Jobs in Vietnam
When teaching in Vietnam, you will often find positions with different titles:
Common Teaching Positions
- English teacher (full-time or part-time)
- Primary/secondary teacher at high schools
- Lecturer at major universities
- International school teacher (highest salaries but most demanding requirements)
Full-Time vs Part-Time Benefits
Full-Time Positions:
- More perks and benefits
- Stricter requirements on responsibility and commitment
- Stable income and comprehensive benefits package
Part-Time Positions:
- Flexibility to work at multiple centers or schools
- Opportunity to earn additional income from various sources
- More schedule flexibility
Non-Teaching Opportunities
If you’re looking for non-teaching jobs with minimal requirements:
- Acting in educational videos
- Recording for English programs
- Modeling gigs
- I.T. positions (requires strong background)
- Management roles (requires relevant experience)
Note: Non-teaching jobs are usually short-term unless you have a strong background in the specific field.
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How to Start Teaching English in Vietnam
If you are looking for what it requires to start an English teaching job in Vietnam, you have come to the right place! Here are the steps to get started:
Step 1: Consider Your Desired Position
You need to know what you want to do and where you can work. Consider:
- Do you want to teach children or adults?
- Do you prefer language centers or international schools?
- Which cities interest you most?
- What type of schedule do you prefer?
Use job platforms like vietnamteachingjobs.com to filter vacancies that match your desires and location preferences.
Step 2: Assess Your Qualifications
Now look at the qualifications, documents and skills requirements of the job you want. Which of these criteria can you satisfy?
Key Point: The more skills and legal documents you meet to teach in Vietnam, the more likely you are to get sponsorship by an employer to enter and work.
Basic Criteria Checklist (assuming you have a college degree):
- ✅ Decent accent and good command of English grammar
- ✅ International English teaching certificate (TESOL, CELTA, TEFL, or PGCEs)
- ✅ At least 1 year experience in teaching English as a second language
Getting Your Teaching Certificate:
- Minimum 120 hours of study required
- Most commonly accepted: TESOL, TEFL, or CELTA
- Many online and in-person options available
About Teaching Experience:
- Not always compulsory for entry-level positions
- 1 year of experience provides significant advantages:
- Higher salary offers
- More opportunities at reputable employers
- Access to larger-scale schools
Step 3: Apply and Contact Employers
If you feel ready to start a new life in Vietnam, do not hesitate to submit your application immediately. Visit vietnamteachingjobs.com for access to 100+ new teacher vacancies every day in Vietnam.
Important Application Tip: Make sure you are contacting an employer who is also looking for candidates outside of Vietnam. Check the “support teachers outside of Vietnam” section in every job posting:
- “YES” – You are free to apply
- “NO” – Try your chance in other job postings
Why Some Employers Prefer Local Candidates: Sometimes employers need to urgently hire teachers due to:
- School reopening schedules
- Teacher shortages
- New school year preparations
- Market demands
Visa Requirements for Teaching English in Vietnam
Basic Visa Requirements
- Guaranteed by organizations, enterprises or companies operating in Vietnam
- Having a representative office in Vietnam to guarantee
- Schedule to work in Vietnam
- Legal documents of the company or enterprise, including:
- Business registration certificate
- Investment certificate (for foreign enterprises)
- Company seal sample registration certificate
The Process to Enter Vietnam
1. Entry to Vietnam
Vietnam has now allowed entry to the country again. According to a dispatch on March 15, 2022, the government issued a decision to restore the entry policy to Vietnam for foreigners.
2. Consular Legalization
This is when a competent Vietnamese agency certifies the seal, signature, and title on papers and documents issued by a foreign agency to be recognized and used in Vietnam.
3. Work Visa
It is compulsory for foreigners to have a work visa to work in Vietnam legally.
4. Work Permit
Work permit is a legal document for foreigners working in Vietnam.
5. TRC – Temporary Residence Card
This is a document you earn from an immigration management agency or a competent agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Foreigners must have one to reside legally for a certain period of time in Vietnam.
We hope that this article has provided everything you need to know about teaching English in Vietnam. We have compiled some interesting facts and tips, as well as useful information which will help you along your journey into the wonderful world of ESL teaching.
Teaching English in Vietnam offers an incredible opportunity to experience a beautiful country, earn a good living, and make a meaningful impact on students’ lives. With the right preparation and documentation, you can start your teaching journey in one of Southeast Asia’s most welcoming countries.
Ready to Start Your Teaching Journey?
Are you facing difficulties in finding and securing teaching positions in Vietnam? Are visa procedures causing you trouble? Feeling overwhelmed and directionless upon your arrival in Vietnam for teaching assignments? Don’t worry, VTJ’s English Teaching Placement in Vietnam (EPIV) Program 2024 provides comprehensive support to solve ALL the matters.
