Guest Post by Katie Lemon
Picture this: you work less than 20 hours a week and make a fully-livable income. You spend your days lounging by the rooftop pool, zipping around on your motorbike, and eating insanely delicious meals that cost less than $1 USD. You take weekend trips to the beach and can jet off to Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines with ease.
Youāre surrounded by a vibrancy unlike any other: the sights and sounds and smells are enough to keep you fascinated for years. Thereās always a new cafe to check out, or local delicacy to try, and youāve got the time and money to do it all.
Sound like an absolute dream? It is, but it can also be your life if you make the jump to teach English in Vietnam.
ā Read More: A Former ESL Teacher Dishes: Is Teaching English Abroad Worth It?
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, if you click my links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. Learn more on my disclosure page. Thank you for your support!
How Do I Know This is Really Possible?
Trust me, itās real and you can do it. I know this because I spent almost two years living and working in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Of course there were ups and downs, but I can safely say it was one of the most incredible experiences of my life.
If youāre considering making the move to teach English in Vietnam but youāre feeling overwhelmed, youāve come to the right place. Iām going to break down everything you need to know, including:
- Certifications and visa requirements
- Types of teaching jobs available
- Popular regions to live and work
- Cost of living and start up
So letās dive right in so you can be one step closer to living your dream life in Vietnam.
The Imperial City of Hue
Certification & Visa Requirements To Teach English in Vietnam
Most English teaching jobs in Vietnam require a bachelorās degree, a criminal background check, and almost always a TEFL certificate.
Youāve got a few options when it comes to navigating teaching certifications and visas. Many English teachers in Vietnam move there without a job lined up or even a TEFL certification. And you can do that, too!
TEFL Certification Options
There are plenty of TEFL programs you can complete in-country. The benefit of doing your TEFL in Vietnam is that youāll usually get some sort of assistance in finding your first job. The downside? Youāll have to come with a deeper wallet to pay for your TEFL course and your lifestyle until you get a job (up to 6-8 weeks from when you land).
Donāt want to live off your savings for over a month? Complete an online TEFL course in your home country before moving. There are some infamously cheap courses available on the internet. But be forewarned, not all teaching jobs will accept TEFL certifications that donāt include teaching practice and a 120-hour curriculum. But weāll get into that later.
Need a TEFL certification? Consider iTTT! They’ve been in the biz for years and are a reputable name schools around the world trust. Check out my iTTT review to learn more and save 20% when you apply via my link!
Visa Options
If you land a job ahead of time, congrats! Your employer will tell you exactly what you need to do to get the proper business visa. Most likely, theyāll help you to get a tourist visa that will last three months. During that time, your employer will set you up to get your year-long business visa or your 3-year temporary residence card.
If you decide to move to Vietnam before securing a job, you can still get a long-term visa. In this case, youāll do the visa-on-arrival. Basically, you pay a company to sponsor you. They send you a signed document showing that youāre sponsored, and you present it with a form when you arrive at the airport in Vietnam.
Youāll pay the company a fee and also pay $25 USD at the visa-on-arrival counter. Itās cheaper and faster than going through the Vietnamese embassy, just do your homework before choosing a company. Youāll give them your passport details, after all!
Iāve referred friends and family to My Vietnam Visa and theyāve been professional and trustworthy. Theyāve even got a 12-month visa option!
Brit teaching a summer camp in Ho Chi Minh City
Teaching Jobs in Vietnam
There are so many teaching jobs available in Vietnam, ranging from public kindergarten (what I affectionately call ābaby wranglingā) to prestigious international schools. Letās break down the three most common options and some pros and cons for each.
Public Schools & Kindergartens
These jobs range pretty drastically when it comes to pay, class sizes, hours, and required planning.
Typically though, public kindergarten classes will have 15-20 students. Classes start as low as 18 months old, hence ābaby wrangling.ā Seriously, I once covered a public kindergarten class where I spent the entire 20 minutes getting babies back into their chairs after they tried to escape. Oh, and one little guy peed on me.
Public school classes for ages five and up will have up to 40 students per class. Less chaotic than working with the little ones, but it can still be overwhelming if youāre new to TEFL.
Pros:
- Usually little-to-no planning is required.
- Often a pretty laid back job. Youāre expected to teach kids English, but youāre trusted to do it however you see fit.
- Flexible hours: youāll usually just teach a few classes a day, between 7 am and 4 pm. Some public school teachers work at several schools to up their hours and income.
Cons:
- Iāll say it again: baby wrangling. My experience in public schools made me feel like I was there more for show than anything else, but I know some people who really love it.
- Huge class sizes. Trying to get 40 teenagers with an elementary understanding of English to do anything is challenging, especially if youāre a new teacher.
- Thereās not a whole lot of technology available, so be prepared for classic blackboard teaching.
- No air conditioning. Seems minor until youāre covered in sweat at 8 am.
Expected Salary
Weekly hours: 20-30
Typical monthly salary: 28 million-42 million VND (1,200-1,800 USD)
Language Centers
This is probably the most popular option for English teachers in Vietnam. Language centers are for-profit after school programs teaching students of all ages, including adults. Some of the big players are ILA, VUS, British Council, Apax, EMG, Apollo…the list goes on and on. So! Many! Jobs!
Pros:
- Incredible quality of life. I worked 14 hours a week at a language center and lived very comfortably.
- Professional work environment. This varies from center to center, but thereās far more teacher support and resources than most public school jobs. Hello, iPad labs and Google Presentation lessons.
Cons:
- Unusual hours. These centers operate after school and on weekends, which can be a bummer. Expect to work anytime between 4-10 pm on weekdays and all day on the weekends. You do usually get 1-2 weekdays off as your own personal āweekend.ā
Expected Salary
Weekly hours: 15-25
Typical monthly salary: 28 million-47 million VND (1,200-2,000 USD)
International Schools
Oh la la, arenāt you fancy! International school jobs are highly sought after and usually go to applicants with a few yearsā experience under their belt. Some international schools require formal education in teaching, like a Masterās Degree or teaching license from your home country.
Pros:
- Great pay! International school teachers make the big bucks because theyāve got the experience and/or necessary background.
- Some of these jobs also provide killer benefits like flight reimbursement, rent stipends, and more.
- Excellent teacher support. Youāre at a real school here, so there are great resources and help from colleagues available to you.
Cons:
- Youāre not going to love working for an international school if you came to Vietnam to work less. These jobs are like being a teacher at home: youāll work full days and be expected to put a lot of effort in.
Expected Salary
Weekly hours: 30+
Typical monthly salary: 47 million-70 million VND (2,000-3,000 USD)
*International school teachers with teaching licenses from their home country typically make even more, up to 5,000 USD a month.
The nature of Ninh Binh is unrivaled
Still Not Sure Where to Work?
No worries! Many English teachers in Vietnam do some combination of the options listed above to reap more benefits and increase their earnings. I worked at two different language centers during my time there, with three months of overlap between the two positions.
Itās also very common to take on some substitute teaching for a few hours a month or offer private tutoring to supplement your income.
Where In Vietnam Should I Go?
There are a few popular regions when considering teaching in Vietnam: the south, the central coast, and the north. There are cities in each that serve as the main hubs for expat life and teaching jobs, but more remote options are available as well.
The South
This is my favorite region to live in Vietnam and where I spent my entire working career in the country. The main hub of the south is Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon. Home to almost 9 million people, Ho Chi Minh City is even bigger than New York City and just filled with life, noise, and sometimes chaos.
I might catch heat from a few Hanoian expats, but the south is typically considered to have warmer and friendlier locals. Of course, some people prefer the more restrained attitude up north. Just ask Tom of Vietnam Coracle.
And the expat community in Saigon is massive! There can be a bit of a party atmosphere, but itās easy to find a solid group of friends no matter your lifestyle. I found Ho Chi Minh to skew the youngest. But there are still expats of all ages, from recent university grads to retirees.
Vibrant Ho Chi Minh City Photo by Katie Lemon
Central Vietnam
The most popular spots to teach in central Vietnam are the laid back beach town of Da Nang and the ancient city of Hue. While teaching in central Vietnam isnāt as popular as teaching in Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi, certain parts of life there are envied by the expats in bigger cities.
If you choose Da Nang, youāll be surrounded by a relaxed expat community mostly made up of young couples, families, and older expats. Youāll also be right on the beach, which is always a plus. Hue is farther west than Da Nang in the mountains and also quite laid back.
Jobs arenāt as plentiful here, so do your research and maybe move here after starting in a bigger city.
Pretty pretty Da Nang
The North
The north is home to Hanoi, the government capital of Vietnam. With just over 8 million residents, itās only slightly smaller than Ho Chi Minh and still just as chaotic and lively. Where Saigon has a more modern feel, Hanoi maintains more French and traditional Vietnamese architecture.
All Vietnamese food is incredible, but the specialties up north are some of the very best. If you want to avoid the avid Vietnamese heat, Hanoi actually has a wider range of seasons because of how far north it is.
The expat community is large here too, and just as varied as Saigon. Youāll find expats of all ages teaching English in Hanoi, some who party and some who donāt, some with families and some living the bachelor(ette) life.
The famous train track street in Hanoi
Money, Honey: What Does It Cost To Live in Vietnam?
Hereās the stuff youāre really dying to know. What does it actually cost to get started as an English teacher in Vietnam, and whatās the cost of living in Vietnam for a typical expat teacher? Letās break it down.
Getting Started
Start-up costs will include your flight (obviously), your visa, and your accommodations and transport. Many new teachers live in a hostel or AirBnB while they look for an apartment. If you want to drive a motorbike, expect to pay about $40 USD a month to rent or anywhere from $250-$600 to buy one.
Paying Rent
Rent will vary based on the living situation youāre after. My centrally-located studio apartment cost me less than $400 USD a month and included a twice-weekly cleaning service and all utilities. Many people live in shared houses for under $300 a month.
No matter what you choose, be aware that many landlords will require first monthās rent and a two month deposit when you move in.
Rollin’ in dough! Photo by Katie Lemon
So, How Much Money Do I Bring?
If you come with a job lined up, youāll want to have at least $2000 USD saved up. Thisāll cover unexpected start-up costs (cell phone data! motorbike helmet!) and allow you to pay your hefty apartment deposit.
If you show up in Vietnam without a job, bring more money to cover your lifestyle while youāre taking a TEFL course or job-hunting. Teaching positions abound, so if you pursue all leads and put in your applications, you can land something within a few weeks.
Another important thing to know: many English teaching jobs in Vietnam only pay once a month. So even if you start the day after you arrive, you may not see any money in your account for another few weeks.
The Nuts & Bolts
Want a more intimate look at daily costs in Vietnam? For your viewing pleasure, here are some of the prices I happened to write down while living there. These are converted from Vietnamese Dong to USD and rounded to the nearest five cents:
- Bottle of water: 40 cents
- Vietnamese coffee (cĆ phĆŖ sį»Æa ÄĆ”): 80 cents
- Western coffee (latte): $1.70
- Bowl of beef pho: $2.55
- Fresh fruit smoothie: $1.30
- Beer at a bar (Saigon Red, my favorite): $1.30
- Beer from a corner store (333, of course): 40 cents
- Gin & Tonic at a bar: $3.20
- Banh mi sandwich: 65 cents
- Poke bowl delivery: $4.25
- Eggs Benedict at Western brunch spot: $4.50
- Night in a popular hostel, shared room: $5-$8
- Night in a popular hostel, private room: $15-$22
Of course, these arenāt hard and fast prices, just what I recorded while living in Ho Chi Minh City a few months ago. In any case, itās clear that Vietnam is a really affordable place to live. Thereās definitely a premium on Western products, but theyāre still often cheaper than they are in Western countries.
School lunch in Vietnam
Ready To Start Teaching English in Vietnam?
I donāt blame you! Vietnam is an incredible place to live and teach. You can lead a luxurious life with minimal work hours and maximum time to explore the local culture. The expat community is massive and the locals are welcoming and wonderful.
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, if you click my links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. Learn more on my disclosure page. Thank you for your support!
What else would you want to know about life in Vietnam as an expat? Let me know in the comments below!
Author
Katie Lemon is a freelance writer specializing in travel and sustainability. She loves hiking, falling down Wikipedia rabbit holes, and singing āFergaliciousā at karaoke. Her long term goals include swimming with orcas and eventually speaking three more languages. You can find more of her work on her website or see what sheās up to on LinkedIn and Instagram.
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Thanks for writing such a comprehensive post! Everything I needed to know is right here.
Thanks for reading!! Iām so glad you enjoyed it āŗļø
This is so timely and very much appreciated. I just signed up to get my TEFL certification šš¼ So all of this is so super useful. Thank you so much
Ohhh so exciting!!! Teaching abroad (in both Korea and a summer in Vietnam), are such wonderful memories for me!! Anything I can help with please send me an email or DM!! āŗļø
Hi
My name is Dane ,I trust you are well .I would like to inquire about teaching English online ,any suggestions or companies you could direct me to, would be greatly appreciated.
I returned to South Africa after a year in Vietnam.There I taught at public schools and Kindergardens.
Awaiting in anticipation for your response.
Email: [email protected]
Contact: +27661032341 call / WhatsApp
Thank you kindly
Dane Lawrence
Hi Dane! Thank you for your comment š I believe the best option for South Africans to teach English Online is with DaDaABC. I have friends from SA who teach with DaDa who like it enough, and I do believe it’s one of the few companies that accepts SA applicants. I have a helpful Dada review/guide on the site if it interests you! Please feel free to reach out if you have any other questions!
So interesting to hear other experiences. I was in China for 2 years teaching. Also did 20 hours/wk but made about $750 USD per month. That was a while ago now and my accommodation was covered. It was a fun experience though and I got to travel so much. Having just visited Vietnam I would love to try the same thing there
There are so many great experiences for teaching abroad and the opportunity to travel is the biggest perk IMOāŗļø Iāve heard these days that China is one of the highest paying countries!! But Vietnam is such a fun and lovely place! And I think there are many short term opportunities there for people who donāt want to commit a full year āŗļø
Very informative. Thank you. It is always nice to read first-hand experiences. I’ve been looking in to teaching abroad.
Definitely helps make things feel more attainable!! You should totally do it – itās such a great experience!! Any questions please feel free to message me or Katie š„°
Looks like such an amazing experience! And Vietnam is beautiful, I want to visit so badly one day š
I am an English teacher as well but in Spain š There are so many similarities to teaching English in Vietnam too (when it comes to the pros and cons). As I was reading your post, I thought “insert no hand soap or heat” in place of “no air conditioning”! haha. Such a helpful post.
Haha OMG yes exactly!! My friend taught in Spain and loved it!! š
Keep the amazing content coming Brit!
Thanks a bunch Jeremy!! So nice to hear from you š If you ever want to write a guest post all about the London life, let me know š
Thanks Jeremy!!! I do what I can āŗļøāŗļøāŗļø
Hi š I love your blog! I’ve been wondering about teaching abroad, and I just wanted to ask if there are any opportunities to teach for just a few months, like during the summer?
Thank you so much Carolina!! I actually taught for only a summer in Vietnam so it’s definitely possible! I ended up finding a job opening at an international school in Saigon for an English summer camp (at VAS) and applied around March for a job that started in June. These jobs can be hard to find as they’re not always well advertised, but I recommend searching for different international schools in Vietnam and reaching out directly to them to see if they are hiring for something like a summer camp. It’s also quite common for teachers to get a job with EMG (public schools) or a private institution and then quit after a few months after they’ve had their fill. I’m sure COVID has seriously impacted job opportunities but I’m not entirely sure how Vietnam is handling the pandemic. I hope this helps! Good luck!!
I am a grade school teacher here in the Philippines, a license teacher and a TEFL certificate holder (120 hrs training). Do they accept a non-native speakers? Thanks.
Unfortunately whether or not an employer hires a non-native speaker totally varies and depends on the school or academy. I think it’s certainly possible to find a teaching job as a non-native English speaker, but it may be difficult. I’ve heard finding a job as a private English tutor or at an after-school academy tends to be easier for non-native speakers more so than international or public schools. I hope this helps! It’s always best to reach out to employers directly to ask them š
thanks Brit!!!
Hello, I would be interested to teach English in Vietnam. Even for a longer period. Do you have any direct links for schools?
Best regards, Rok
Hi! So exciting! There are links to various schools in this post š I also recommend searching Google and Facebook groups. Top schools/language centers in Vietnam include places like VUS, ILA, and Vietnam Australia Schools. Good luck!
Hi! Can you speak to your experience behind the scenes? Like, for example, at hospitals and with health care? You are so thorough! I appreciate it!
Hi Bri, so sorry for the late reply! I didn’t have much personal experience with the hospitals and health care, but I have friends who have. I think medicine overall is quite affordable in Vietnam, and the biggest barrier would be finding services that you’re able to communicate with. I recommend joining Facebook groups for expats living in Vietnam. The FEXPATS – Female Expats in Vietnam group in particular is fantastic. I hope this helps!
Dear Brit,
I would like to have your thoughts on this:
I am 53 years old,
I hold a Bachelorās degree in English Language and Literature, one recognised in the UK,
I also have CELTA,
but I am not a native speaker,
and I speak English, French and Arabic fluently.
I am looking for a new experience, but I am reluctant to embark on an ESL adventure in Vietnam, especially that here in London I am in a part-time teaching job and work only 20 weeks a year with a Ā£1350 monthly salary.
What would you recommend?
Many thanks!
Ned.
Hi Ned! Thank you for reaching out! Unfortunately many teaching jobs in Asia/abroad only hire native English speakers or teachers who hold citizenship from “English speaking countries” like US, UK, Aus, Ireland, etc. If you have UK citizenship, then you are probably ok!
Teachers in Vietnam often make between $1,500 – $2,000+ per month which can go far thanks to the affordable cost of living. I think your best bet would be to reach out directly to various international schools in the country (the place to go for better paying jobs) to enquire more about their job requirements and current openings.
Vietnam has been particularly tough on COVID these days with very strict lockdowns so it’s hard to say what the teaching market is like there at the moment and if they’re even hiring new teachers from abroad. Additionally, it’s not unheard of for schools in Asia to be ageist, so it’s important to check if there are any age restrictions as well. If you have any other questions, please feel free to reach out to me via email!
Having lived in Vietnam for 2 years I can happily confirm all of this information is correct. Well done on writing such an accurate and helpful article this will be extremely useful to anyone taking the plunge and going teaching in Vietnam š»š³ š
Hi. What are the cut off ages? Will there be any recognition for a 4 year South African teaching Diploma. How long does studying a basic accredited Tfel certificate take? How does one go about finding an teaching position afterwards?
Hello! Typically, the cutoff age is the national retirement age, which in Vietnam is 60 for men and 55 for women. But older applicants may unfortunately experience ageism during the application period. Schools should accept a South African teaching diploma so long as it comes from an accredited school and you have proof of it. The best TEFL courses are 120+ hours of training, usually conducted over 3 or so months, but it depends on the course set up. Once you’re ready to search for a job, you can join Facebook groups that share job listings, look on TEFL job boards like DavesESL, or apply directly to Vietnam schools looking for an English teacher. They may have job openings on their websites. You’ll need to do a bit of research for where you want to live and then search hiring schools in that area. Hope that helps!
Hi Katie! Thanks for the post! I am considering teaching in Vietnam myself, and I would like to ask you about the downsides to living and teaching there. I do not mean to be a “negative Nelly” or a “Debbie downer” or anything, I just want realistic expectations. What I have seen is that some people write about scams in Vietnam and the pollution in the big cities. Would you say these are serious issues or manageable? Thanks š
Hi Kristian – Brit here! Thank you for your comment. Katie graciously wrote a guest post for my blog, but you can reach her on Instagram @leenielemon. But I taught English in Vietnam for a summer, so can maybe share with you my personal experiences. I lived in Ho Chi Minh, and it was definitely a bit chaotic and pollution is certainly an issue, but there are special masks you can use that help protect against air pollution and not all days are bad days. I never really ran into any serious scams during my 2.5 months in Vietnam, and never heard of anyone I met there experiencing anything serious other than maybe a pickpocket here or there (or bad schools not paying, but there are blacklists online/Facebook groups to help you identify and avoid them!) Plus once you get accustomed to the way of life in Vietnam and Asia in general, you learn how to quickly and easily spot them and avoid them. All that to say, I think these two concerns are pretty manageable and are overshadowed by how fun and beautiful life in Vietnam is. The country has a big expat community so it’s super easy to make friends, and the food is amazing. I hope that helps!
What are the chances of getting an English teaching as an African but with all relevant qualifications and experience?
What are the chances of getting a job in private institutions versus public schools?