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English Teaching Jobs in
Vietnam

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Stunningly beautiful and full of extraordinary history, Vietnam is an extremely popular destination for TEFL teachers.

Vibrant cities, breathtaking scenery, and welcoming locals have made Vietnam a top destination for TEFL teaching jobs. From the UNESCO-listed Halong Bay to the lively streets of Hanoi, Vietnam has something for everyone. Factor in low living costs and high demand for English teachers, and it’s no wonder the country is one of the top TEFL job destinations worldwide.

However, while it used to be easy for unqualified teachers to find work in Vietnam, today’s employers are much stricter. Stronger regulations and more emphasis on quality education have significantly raised the country’s English standards. Luckily, there are plenty of teaching opportunities for qualified English speakers who meet all the correct requirements.

To help you get started, we’ve compiled a quick guide on finding an English Teaching job in Vietnam – from getting certified to the perks, pay, and kinds of jobs you’re likely to find.

English teaching jobs in Vietnam: an overview

There are various English teaching opportunities in Vietnam, including language centres, schools, universities, and private tutoring. Positions are available teaching students of all ages, with full-time employment contracts being the norm and a peak hiring season between August and December for most public schools. (Language schools, by contrast, hire year-round).

If you’re a native English speaker, you’ll need a BA degree and a criminal background check as a minimum to work in Vietnam legally. Ideally, you’ll also have TEFL certification, plus some experience or study in a relevant field. (Non-native ESL teachers must have an IELTS or TOEFL.)

A popular way to work in Vietnam is to convert a tourist visa into a work visa if you find a job there. Although finding a job before arriving is possible, securing one in person is often easier since many employers prefer face-to-face interviews. There are also plenty of volunteer opportunities, which can be a great way to see if teaching in Vietnam is right for you before you get a job.

Finally, although teaching jobs in Vietnam don't usually include perks like accommodation or flights, the salaries are good compared to the low cost of living.

Requirements to get English teaching jobs in Vietnam

In the past, being a fluent English speaker with a degree was enough to find work, but now a TEFL qualification (preferably 120 hours or more) is often required. Here’s a breakdown of the main requirements for a teaching job in Vietnam.

Qualifications & certifications

To teach English in Vietnam, you’ll need:

A bachelor's degree (in English/Education preferred)*, or five years of demonstrable teaching experience if you don’t have a degree.
TEFL certification (with at least 120 hours of training)
Previous teaching experience (preferred)
A clean criminal background check
If you’re a non-native speaker, you will also need an English proficiency certificate

Visa & work permits

To gain a work visa and work permit for jobs in Vietnam, you’ll need the following:

A certified teaching certificate (including any TEFL courses)
A certified bachelor’s degree
A certified IELTS/TOEFL certificate (for non-native English teachers)
A complete, clean criminal record check
A complete, clean health check (carried out in Vietnam)
A certified copy of your passport
Passport photos
Any documents required from the school (which they will supply)

These will then be submitted to the Department of Labour in your school’s region for approval. Work permits usually take about a week to process.

Download our teaching English in Asia guide

Salary and benefits

English teaching jobs in Vietnam typically don’t have the same perks as other popular Asian TEFL destinations (like flights and accommodation). However, the low cost of living and relatively high salaries make up for this.

Country	Avg. monthly salary	Degree required	Start of term	Teaching experience	Housing & flights included	Suitable for non-native English speakers	Age restrictions
Teach in Vietnam	£920 - £ 1,500 GBP ($1,200 to $2,000 USD)		August				Under 60

Salary

One of the most important questions about teaching English abroad is what kind of salary you can earn.

The average salary for full-time English teaching jobs in Vietnam is around 44,818,000 VND monthly (£1,373/$1,766). English teachers will earn more in bigger cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi due to the slightly higher cost of living.

Salaries for English teachers in Vietnam are often quoted in US Dollars, so for an hourly rate, expect to see figures around $17-$32 (£14-26). Expect higher salaries at international academies and private schools, where entry requirements for teaching jobs are usually higher.

Benefits

Free accommodation for teachers isn’t as widespread as in China, Hong Kong, or elite institutions in Japan. Public schools in Vietnam don't typically have the same resources as those in Japan or South Korea. However, international schools and other fee-paying institutions sometimes offer help with accommodation. Some may even outright provide you with an apartment space, though this is less common.

Tip: Before you head abroad to teach, it’s important to clarify whether you’re being given actual accommodation (e.g., an apartment) or assistance with accommodation (e.g., help towards costs or some kind of rent stipend).

ESL teachers in Vietnam usually receive some financial assistance with their visas, and many employers also offer Vietnamese lessons as an added perk (over 70 million people speak the language).

How to find English teaching jobs in Vietnam

English teaching jobs in Vietnam are abundant for those with the right qualifications. Here are some of the best ways to find teaching jobs in Vietnam before you get there.

Jobs boards
Networking opportunities
Teaching programmes

Jobs boards

The TEFL Org Jobs Centre has everything you need to start teaching English in Vietnam, including jobs in public, private, and international schools and other institutions. (You can also get lifelong access to our jobs portal if you complete your TEFL training with us.)

Aston lists opportunities for teaching English in 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 mother tongue English speaker. Previous teaching experience is required.

British Council hires both teachers and teacher trainers in Vietnam.

ILA is an excellent resource for finding opportunities to start teaching English in Vietnam.

Language Link is another handy resource for finding jobs teaching English abroad.

Vietnam Teaching Jobs is another excellent job search website for teachers in Vietnam.

Networking opportunities

The Vietnam Association for English Language Teaching and Research (VietTESOL) has networking events and seminars for educators teaching abroad in Vietnam.

With over 102,000 members, the English Teachers in Vietnam Network on Facebook is well worth joining to find jobs and like-minded TEFL teachers.

Reddit is an excellent resource for teaching in Vietnam. Its dedicated threads offer advice and job leads from people who’ve already worked there.

Teaching programmes

Our Semester Teaching Position in Vietnam is a fantastic programme for new TEFL teachers 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 you can even take our 30-hour Advanced Teaching Young Learners 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:

Proficiency 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’s level in any field of study)

Read our Vietnam Country Guide for info about salaries, living costs & requirements

Vietnam Country Guide

Best cities and regions for teaching English in Vietnam

Vietnam is a country of striking contrast and rich history, with a wide range of places to live and teach.

In the north, cities like Hanoi – Vietnam’s capital – boast ancient temples, French colonial architecture, and a traditional way of life that thrives alongside more modern developments. The cooler climate and misty mountains of northern Vietnam, including spots like Sapa and Ha Giang, offer breathtaking natural beauty and a slower pace of life.

In the south, Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s economic powerhouse, buzzing with energy, skyscrapers, and booming nightclubs. With its floating markets and lush rice paddies, the Mekong Delta presents an entirely different way of life, rooted in agriculture and river culture.

Coastal cities like Da Nang and Nha Trang balance city living and beachside relaxation, while central Vietnam’s Hoi An erupts into colour every full moon with its monthly lantern festival.

Whether you’re drawn to urban centres, tranquil rural landscapes, or coastal retreats, Vietnam’s diverse regions offer something for every teacher looking to experience its unique blend of tradition and progress.

Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City (often still called Saigon by locals) is Vietnam’s largest and most dynamic city – a fast-paced urban hub of 9 million where modern skyscrapers stand side-by-side with ancient landmarks. As the country's economic centre, it attracts people from all over Vietnam and beyond, making it one of the most multicultural places in the country.

The city offers many opportunities for English teachers, from prestigious international schools and private institutions to public schools and language centres. The demand for English education is high, leading to competitive salaries, though the cost of living is slightly higher compared to other cities. However, food, transport, and entertainment are still affordable by international standards.

Beyond work, the city is pulsing with energy. Scooters fill the streets (Ho Chih Minh City has over 7 million of them), from the markets of Ben Thanh, to the trendy cafes and rooftop bars of District 3 and Thao Dien (a popular expat area). With a vibrant nightlife, world-class street food, and cultural attractions like the War Remnants Museum and Notre-Dame Cathedral, Ho Chi Minh City is an incredible place to live and work. While the tropical climate can be hot and humid, the city’s energy and job opportunities make it a top choice for TEFL teachers in Vietnam.

Hanoi

When you take your first steps around Hanoi, be careful! The roads are packed with buzzing scooters and motorcycles. This creates a suitable first impression of Hanoi - a genuinely kinetic city. Filled with nods to French and Chinese culture, Hanoi is full of charming architecture and sights, like the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long and the imposing Vietnamese Museum of Literature, but the minutiae of everyday life is most appealing. We’re talking about laughing yoga, the incredible street food, beer, the endless rock bands noising up the city centre. Don’t forget the wide availability of authentic Vietnamese coffee, which many would argue is perfected in Hanoi.

If you enjoy a busy, ever so slightly chaotic lifestyle with surprises around every corner, Hanoi is the place to be.

Da Nang

While Hanoi has thrills and endless movement, Da Nang is considerably different. A very underrated TEFL destination, Da Nang offers a more relaxed way of life than Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. A beach city, Da Nang is teeming with unbelievable views, not least from the iconic Golden Bridge, an architectural feat that must be seen up close and from a distance.

Then, of course, there are the Marble Mountains and the Hai Van Pass, or you can simply lounge at My Khe Beach and take in the beautiful, clear waters. If a more tranquil lifestyle appeals, Da Nang is undoubtedly our recommendation.

Hai Phong

Northern Vietnam’s biggest port city, Hai Phong is an industrial heartland, and with so much international trade taking place, there is a developing market for English. It’s not just a trading post, though. Hai Phong has plenty going on. If you’re a coffee aficionado, Hai Phong has countless cafes to sit and take in life, while history buffs will enjoy sights like the striking, neoclassical Opera House.

A quite different type of Vietnamese city, Hai Phong is an excellent choice for adventurous English teachers.

Nha Trang

Beauty is the buzzword when it comes to Nha Trang. While Da Nang holds its own with its beautiful beaches, Nha Trang offers considerable competition - look at Tran Phu Beach or Long Beach to see just what we mean. From a cultural perspective, there’s plenty to see and do. The ancient Po Nagar Cham Towers meld influences from the Hindu, Buddhist, and Islamic faiths, while Nha Trang Cathedral boasts distinctive French stained glass. To escape the hectic pace of life, the Buddhist Meditation Institute is a short trip away and is well worth the travel.

With plenty of teaching jobs, beautiful scenery, and great bars and clubs, Nha Trang is a great place for teachers who want to combine education with leisure time.

English teaching jobs available in Vietnam

Full Time

Vietnam

Academic Maths, Science, and English Teachers

Posted: 8 days ago

Looking for highly skilled and dedicated teachers who are enthusiastic about creating engaging and interactive lessons.

View Job

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about finding jobs teaching English in Vietnam.

Q. Are English teachers in demand in Vietnam?

Yes, English teachers are in high demand in Vietnam. As the country’s economy grows, English proficiency is increasingly valued in business, tourism, and education. This has created strong job opportunities, especially in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang. Public and private institutions prefer TEFL-certified teachers, with international schools and language centres offering competitive salaries. With a young population and a focus on education, demand spans all ages, from children to professionals. While job competition has increased, qualified teachers with a TEFL certificate and a degree will find plenty of opportunities.

Q. How much do English tutors earn in Vietnam?

The average salary for an English teacher in Vietnam is around 44,818,000 VND (£1,373/$1,766) per month. Due to demand and the cost of living, ESL teachers usually earn a more substantial wage in bigger cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

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, a clean criminal background check and a health check. You'll also need a passport from the US, UK, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, or South Africa, or you must demonstrate high English proficiency to teach English in Vietnam.

Q. Can you teach English in Vietnam without knowing Vietnamese?

Knowing some Vietnamese is always helpful if you want a long career teaching English there. However, you can teach English in Vietnam without knowing the language. Some employers will even provide Vietnamese lessons as a perk!