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English Teaching Jobs in
Vietnam
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So many TEFL teachers start their careers in Vietnam, because the jobs are abundant, the country is beautiful, and the salaries more than cover the cost of living. What are you waiting for?
With its buzzing cities, dramatic natural landscapes, exotic food and incredibly welcoming people, it’s little wonder so many people want to teach English in Vietnam. Located in the centre of Southeast Asia, Vietnam draws in millions of visitors with attractions including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed site of Halong Bay, bustling Ho Chi Minh City and the historic capital of Hanoi. If you teach English in Vietnam, a country of 98 million people spread over 331,000 square kilometres of land, you'll be able to explore all of these sights and so much more.
One of the most popular TEFL destinations on the planet, the demand for English teachers in this fascinating country is considerable. The standards of English proficiency in Vietnam have risen at a time of enhanced regulation and improved standards in English teaching. While Vietnam might’ve been a place where unqualified teachers would’ve pitched up before, today’s employers are more discerning - and with good reason! Teaching English in Vietnam is not a hobby, it's a serious industry, with countless language schools, state schools that teach English from an early age, a bustling university scene, elite institutions like private and international schools, and private tutoring opportunities galore.
If a warm, year-round climate, friendly students and colleagues, and an ideal base for exploring Southeast Asia cheaply appeal to you, consider a position teaching English in Vietnam. From gaining your TEFL certification to finding the best jobs in the country, read on to discover everything you need to know in this Teach English in Vietnam Ultimate Guide.
English teaching jobs in Vietnam: an overview
If you’re looking to teach English abroad in Vietnam, great news: teaching jobs for ESL teachers are plentiful and varied. If you opt to teach English in Vietnam, you can find work year-round in language centres teaching a range of ages as well as in private schools, international schools and public schools. It’s possible to secure a job before arriving in the country, but it’s easier to do so in person as many employers prefer face-to-face interviews. Contracts don’t typically include perks such as accommodation and flight reimbursement offered in countries such as China and South Korea. Still, salaries for ESL teachers - in comparison to the cost of living - are decent.
How widely is English spoken in Vietnam? It’s taught in schools, and levels of English proficiency across different age ranges are consistently decent, meaning there are plenty of teaching opportunities in Vietnam across a wide spectrum. Both young learners and adult learners have a keen interest in the language, for educational and occupational reasons, and the TEFL market in Vietnam has grown to meet the demand. Increasingly, non-native speakers of English have made real inroads as ESL teachers in Vietnam. An IELTS certificate, or a TOEFL, is a requisite qualification for a non-native ESL teacher to get a job teaching English in Vietnam.
As for visas? You can convert a tourist visa into a work visa if you have found work while in the country, which is a popular route to working in Vietnam. There are also plenty of voluntary opportunities in the country which can be a great way to get a taste for it and see if Vietnam is for you.
Quick facts about Vietnam
- Capital: Hanoi
- Official Language: Vietnamese
- Population: 98 million
- Currency: VND (Vietnamese Dong) ₫
Key facts
Requirements
To land a job teaching English legally in Vietnam, you need:
- A bachelor’s degree
- A TEFL certificate
- To pass a criminal background check
- A passport from the US, UK, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia or South Africa, or demonstrate native English proficiency (IELTS or TOEFL will do so!).
- To pass a health check (can be completed in Vietnam).
The maximum age you can be as an applicant for Vietnam teaching jobs is 60.
Salary and benefits
One of the most important things when it comes to teaching English abroad is the kind of salary you can earn. So, what’s the average salary while you’re teaching abroad in Vietnam? The basic monthly salary for a full-time position teaching English in Vietnam is around 27,700,000-46,171,000 VND per month (£920-£1,500/$1,200-$2,000). Pay for foreign English teachers is often quoted in US Dollars, so for an hourly rate, expect to see figures around $17-$32 (£13-25). Expect higher salaries at international academies and private schools where entry requirements for teaching jobs are usually higher.
In terms of benefits, the most likely bonus you’ll receive as an ESL teacher in Vietnam is financial assistance with your visa. Some employers will offer ambitious ESL teachers opportunities for career development, as well as Vietnamese lessons (over 70 million people speak the language).
Free accommodation for teachers isn’t as widespread as it is in China, Hong Kong or elite institutions in Japan. However, international schools and other fee-paying institutions may offer help with accommodation. Some may even provide you with an apartment space outright, though again, this is less common. It’s important to clarify whether you’re being given accommodation or assistance with accommodation before you head over!
Living and working in Vietnam
In Vietnam, English teaching jobs are plentiful, the salaries are decent, there’s a beautiful climate and an extremely welcoming atmosphere to enjoy. So, what about the cost of living in Vietnam?
It’s important to note here that - if you didn’t know - Vietnam is massive. There are 98 million people, and the country comprises 331,000 square kilometres of land. Like any big country, there are economic differences between cities and regions. So, here, we’ve got the cost of living for both Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.
First up: rent. A one-bedroom apartment in Ho Chi Minh City centre costs about £409/$509 per month to rent, whereas it’s £260/$325 per month further outside the city centre. In central Da Nang, rents are about £258/$321 per month, and £175/$217 outside the city centre.
Are you looking to sample Vietnam’s incredible food? while you're teaching English in Vietnam? Of course you are! In Ho Chi Minh City, an inexpensive meal for one person costs a mere £1.70/$2.10. A three-course meal for two in a mid-priced restaurant will set you back a mere £20/$26, while a pint of domestic beer is just £0.86/$1.07. In Da Nang, that solo meal is even cheaper, at £1.20/$1.50. A meal for two in a similarly mid-priced restaurant will cost just £15/$19, and a pint of beer is just £0.69/0.85.Both Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang offer affordable public transport and utilities. If you require a monthly travel ticket in Ho Chi Minh City, expect to pay about £6.80/$8.50. In Da Nang, it’s nearer to £5/$6.40. Utilities, meanwhile, cost around £56/$70 a month in Ho Chi Minh City, and £47/$58 in Da Nang.
Types of English teaching jobs in Vietnam
Public schools
English is taught from an early age in Vietnam’s public school system, and there are plenty of opportunities to teach English for those who have the right qualifications and teaching experience. What are those qualifications? Well, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree, a TEFL qualification and - ideally - at least a year of teaching experience on your CV. In return, you can expect a good number of holidays, a decent wage (especially if you’re experienced) and opportunities for professional development.
Class sizes, however, can be enormous. Expect classes with as many as 60 kids. Even for experienced teachers, teaching abroad in Vietnam can place significant demands on your ability to build relationships and judge progress. If you’re up for the challenge, the learners are eager, and the teaching jobs are certainly there!
Jobs boards
You can always find teaching abroad opportunities through The TEFL Org Jobs Centre! If you want to teach English in Vietnam, or anywhere in the world, try our constantly-updated job resource - and you have free access for life if you take a course with us.
Aston has teaching opportunities across Vietnam. You’ll need a bachelor’s degree, a TEFL certificate, and either a passport from an English-speaking country or an IELTS certificate/equivalent if you're not a native English speaker. Previous teaching experience is required.
British Council hires both teachers and teacher trainers in Vietnam.
ILA is a great resource for finding jobs in Vietnam.
Language Link is another very useful resource for finding jobs in Vietnam.
Vietnam Teaching Jobs provides exactly what their name suggests, and is another excellent job search website if you're trying to find teaching jobs in Vietnam.
Teaching programmes in Vietnam
Our Semester Teaching Position in Vietnam is a fantastic programme for any new TEFL teachers who are interested in teaching abroad in Vietnam. The programme lasts 5 months, with 20 hours of teaching per week. Before you leave, you’ll take our 120-hour Premier Online TEFL course, and can even take our 30-hour Teaching Young Learners advanced course as an optional extra.
The programme includes a generous allowance and a completion bonus, free accommodation (with your own room), an orientation week, conversational Vietnamese lessons and a local “buddy” who’ll help you settle in at your school.
The requirements are as follows:
- proficient in English (non-native English speakers can be considered, but must have an advanced level of English and a clear accent)
- 20-35 years of age upon arrival in Vietnam
- Police disclosure check from home country
- Passport from one of the following countries: UK, USA, Australia, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand or Canada
- University degree (minimum Bachelor level in any field of study)
Related articles for teaching English in Vietnam
Teach English in Vietnam - Salary
A beautiful, complicated and fascinating country to teach English, Vietnam offers some comparatively excellent salaries, while boasting a low cost of living.
Teach English in Vietnam
Stunning beautiful and full of history and wonder, Vietnam is growing in popularity with TEFL teachers - and it’s no wonder why!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are English teachers in demand in Vietnam?
With schools teaching English in Vietnam from an early age, it's safe to say there's considerable demand for people who can teach English in Vietnam. Qualified teachers are needed primarily by school pupils, students and adults in industries like hospitality, tourism and business.
Q. How much do English tutors earn in Vietnam?
The average salary for teaching English in Vietnam is about 27,700,000-46,171,000 VND per month (£920-£1,500/$1,200-$2,000). You can earn more for teaching English if you work in an elite international or private school, or in a prestigious role within a university.
Q. How to get a job as an English teacher in Vietnam?
To get an English teaching job in Vietnam, you need a bachelor’s degree, a TEFL certificate, to pass a criminal background check and to pass a health check. You'll also need a passport from the US, UK, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia or South Africa, or be able to demonstrate high levels of English proficiency to teach English in Vietnam.
Q. Can you teach English in Vietnam without knowing Vietnamese?
If you want a long career teaching English overseas, it's always useful to know some other languages. However, yes, you can teach English in Vietnam without knowing Vietnamese. Some employers will provide Vietnamese lessons as a perk!