What You Need to Teach English in Vietnam
To work legally and confidently as an English teacher in Vietnam, you鈥檒l need to meet a few key requirements.
- Bachelor鈥檚 degree
The Vietnamese government, and therefore all employers require a bachelor鈥檚 degree in any subject. It’s not possible to work legally in Vietnam without a Bachelor’s degree.
- 欧美日b大片 certificate
A properly accredited (minimum 120鈥慼our) 欧美日b大片 or TESOL certificate is essential. Aim for a course that includes practical teaching experience, which employers value highly.
- English proficiency
If you don鈥檛 hold a passport from the UK, US, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa, you鈥檒l need to be able to show that you have a certified English level of C1 or higher, an IELTS score of 7, or equivalent, as well as demonstrating excellent spoken and written English during your job interview. Non鈥憂ative speakers can strengthen their applications with a high鈥憅uality 欧美日b大片 certificate, references, and prior teaching experience.
- Background and health checks
You’ll need a clean police background check from your home country and you鈥檒l also undergo a simple health check once in Vietnam (usually arranged and paid for by your employer).
- Age
Vietnam’s work permit regulations (Decree 219/2025) do not set a maximum age. However, the country’s general labour law includes retirement ages (currently around 56 for women and 61 for men, gradually increasing), and many employers treat these as informal hiring thresholds. Teachers above these ages may find it harder to secure sponsorship, though it is not legally prohibited.
- Experience
One of the reasons Vietnam is so attractive for new teachers is that prior teaching experience 颈蝉苍鈥檛 required for most jobs. If your 欧美日b大片 course included a practical component, that鈥檚 normally enough to satisfy schools.
How to Choose the Right 欧美日b大片 Course in Vietnam
Choosing the right 欧美日b大片 course is one of the most important decisions you鈥檒l make as you start your teaching career – and it can make the difference between struggling to find a job and feeling confident in the classroom from day one.
For more about choosing a course, see our 6 Questions to Ask When Choosing a 欧美日b大片 Course.
Schools in Vietnam quickly recognise whether a teacher has been properly trained. A quality 欧美日b大片 course not only gets your CV noticed but also gives you the skills and confidence you鈥檒l need to succeed in real classrooms.
When comparing courses, here鈥檚 what to look for:
- Accreditation and recognition
Your certificate should be fully accredited and widely recognised by schools in Vietnam and abroad.
- Observed teaching practice
With real students and feedback from experienced trainers, not just role鈥憄laying with classmates.
- Lesson planning and classroom skills
Make sure the course teaches you how to plan and deliver engaging, effective lessons – not just theory.
- Job support
Look for a course that offers guidance on finding work after you qualify, from CV tips and interview practice to employer connections and ongoing advice.
For more about the importance of accreditation, see 欧美日b大片 Accreditation: What is it and why is it important?
Both online and in鈥憄erson courses are accepted by schools here – but taking your 欧美日b大片 course in Vietnam offers some big advantages:
- Many employers prefer candidates who are already in Vietnam and ready to start.
- You can start to build a network and maybe even meet employers during the course.
- You can settle in and adjust to life here while you train.
Many teachers who take have jobs lined up before they even finish training.
From Training to Teaching in Vietnam: Getting Your First Job
Once you鈥檝e chosen the right course and completed your training, the next step is moving into the classroom – understanding what to expect from the job market, what employers are looking for, and how to land your first job with confidence.
Being in Vietnam when you apply can make things easier. Many schools prefer candidates who are already here and ready to start, and you鈥檒l have the chance to meet employers face鈥憈o鈥慺ace. But it鈥檚 not essential – plenty of teachers arrange jobs from abroad, especially if they鈥檝e trained with a reputable provider and are flexible about where they work.
When you鈥檙e ready to apply, here鈥檚 how to give yourself the best chance:
- Update your CV – include your 欧美日b大片 certification, any experience with children or teaching (even informal), and transferable skills like communication and organisation.
- Be ready to decide quickly – schools here often interview and make offers within a day or two.
- Line up several interviews – this gives you options and lets you choose the best fit.
Tip: Employers often use WhatsApp, Messenger or Zalo for a first contact after you apply. Be ready to respond quickly – a fast reply can make the difference between getting an offer and missing out.
For more about CVs and interviews, see 欧美日b大片 Interview Questions and How to Answer Them.
If you take your 欧美日b大片 course in Vietnam, the training centre can often connect you directly with trusted employers, taking much of the stress out of the process and helping you transition smoothly from trainee to teacher.
Visas and Work Permits: What You Need to Work Legally
Before you can work legally in Vietnam, you鈥檒l need the right visa, work permit, and residence card – and understanding the process ahead of time will make everything much smoother. Most employers will guide you through the paperwork once you鈥檙e hired, but it鈥檚 worth knowing what to expect before you even arrive.
To work legally as a teacher in Vietnam, you鈥檒l need to be sponsored by an employer – but the process starts before you even secure a job. Here鈥檚 how it usually works, step by step:
- Enter Vietnam on a tourist visa
Most teachers arrive in Vietnam on a tourist e鈥憊isa, which costs around $25 and is valid for 90 days. This covers the time you need to complete your 欧美日b大片 course and secure a job offer.
- Find a job and convert your visa
Once you鈥檙e hired, your employer will help you convert your tourist visa into a business visa so you can begin working legally. In rare cases where the process 颈蝉苍鈥檛 completed within 90 days, you may need to briefly leave Vietnam to renew your tourist visa – for example, by taking a visa鈥憆un bus to the Cambodian border and back, which takes about half a day and costs around $115.
- Apply for your work permit
Your employer will sponsor your application and guide you through the paperwork, which typically includes your notarised degree certificate, 欧美日b大片 certificate, police background check, and a simple medical exam (usually done locally).
- Get your temporary residence card
Once your work permit is approved, you鈥檒l receive a residence card (valid up to two years) that replaces your visa and allows you to stay and work legally for the duration of your contract.
Tip: Make sure your degree certificate, background check, and IELTS/TOEFL certificate if you’re a non-native speaker, are notarised and legalised before you travel. It鈥檚 far easier to handle this at home than to arrange it from Vietnam once you鈥檙e here. Bring multiple copies if you can – both immigration authorities and individual employers may require them.
Some teachers work 鈥渦nder the table鈥� on a tourist visa, but this is very risky – you could face fines, deportation, or find it harder to get proper documentation later. Schools and training centres that help you through the proper process will also assist with authenticating and translating your documents when needed.
Note: Visa regulations can change at short notice. Always check official government sources before making travel or work plans.
Teaching Jobs in Vietnam: Where You鈥檒l Work and What You鈥檒l Earn
Teaching jobs in Vietnam come in a variety of settings – each with its own typical schedule, class sizes, and pay. Most full-time contracts require 20鈥�30 classroom hours per week, with schedules that can include daytime, evening, and weekend shifts. You鈥檒l usually have at least one day off per week, and contracts can range from short-term (as little as three months) to two years, renewable. Paid holidays and sick leave vary by employer, so it鈥檚 worth asking about these details when you鈥檙e offered a job. Understanding your options will help you choose a role that fits your skills, lifestyle, and goals.
- Public schools
Large classes (often 40鈥�50 students), a regular Monday鈥揊riday schedule with long lunch breaks, and good work鈥搇ife balance. Salaries are typically in the range of $1,200鈥�$2,000/month.
- Language centres
The most common option for new teachers, with smaller classes (5鈥�20 students) and schedules that include evenings and weekends. Salaries are usually $1,700鈥�$2,000/month for full-time positions, or $17鈥�$20/hour for part-time work.
- International schools
Highly competitive, with stricter hiring standards, often requiring a teaching license or master鈥檚 degree. Salaries can range from $2,000鈥�$5,000/month and usually include benefits like housing and flights.
- Universities
Stable hours and generous holidays, though competition is strong and advanced qualifications are often required. Typical salaries are around $1,700鈥�$2,000/month.
- Private tutoring
Flexible and potentially lucrative ($12鈥�$25/hour), though you鈥檒l need to build your own student base and make sure your visa and contract allow it.
When to Apply for Teaching Jobs in Vietnam
Language centres typically recruit year-round, as they have rolling student intake and an ongoing need to replace teachers who finish their contracts. Public schools, on the other hand, tend to have a peak hiring season from July/August to September/October, with some positions continuing to open throughout the semester.
Tip: Avoid job hunting during the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday and the weeks just before it. Recruitment tends to slow down or pause altogether. Tet usually falls in late January or early February.
Living Costs & How Much You Can Save in Vietnam
Vietnam鈥檚 low cost of living is one of the main reasons teachers choose to work here – even in the largest cities, your expenses are modest compared to your income. A private one鈥慴edroom apartment costs anywhere from $200鈥�$600/尘辞苍迟丑, depending on the city, the neighbourhood, and whether you choose to share. In central areas of Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, expect to pay closer to the higher end, while apartments outside the centre or in smaller cities are often much cheaper.
Daily meals are also inexpensive – a typical local dish like pho or banh mi costs just $1鈥�$3, while a mid鈥憆ange restaurant or Western meal is around $8鈥�$10. Groceries at local markets are very affordable, but imported items can be more expensive.
Monthly utilities – including electricity, water, and internet – usually run between $30鈥�$80, depending on your use of air conditioning.
Most teachers get around by renting a motorbike for about $50鈥�$100/尘辞苍迟丑, with petrol costing just around $1/litre, or by using cheap local buses and Grab (ride鈥憇haring).
Tip: If you rent a motorbike, use a reputable company, and check the brakes, tyres, and lights before signing. In Vietnam, you鈥檙e responsible for repairs during your rental, even if the damage wasn鈥檛 your fault.
With careful budgeting – and possibly adding a few private tutoring hours – many teachers save up to half their salary per month. Before you arrive, it鈥檚 wise to have enough to cover your first few months, including visa fees, a rent deposit, and daily expenses until your first paycheck comes in.
Based on data from the following publicly available sources (Remember that actual costs may vary):
Where You Can Live and Teach in Vietnam
The majority of teaching jobs in Vietnam are concentrated in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, but there are also opportunities in smaller cities and regional areas if you prefer a slower pace or more immersive experience. Here鈥檚 what to expect in each:
- Ho Chi Minh City
The country鈥檚 economic centre – modern, fast鈥憄aced, and full of job opportunities. Ideal if you enjoy a vibrant, international environment.
- Hanoi
Vietnam鈥檚 capital – more traditional and historic, with a slower pace of life and plenty of teaching positions.
- Smaller cities
Places like Can Tho, Haiphong, Hue, or Bien Hoa offer a lower cost of living, fewer expats, and a chance to experience Vietnamese culture more deeply.
Tourist hotspots such as Da Nang and Hoi An, and some of the smaller cities mentioned above, have relatively few teaching opportunities compared to Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi. This is partly because these areas have smaller populations, fewer language centres, and lower overall demand for English teachers. In popular tourist towns especially, many available teaching positions are already filled by teachers who stay long鈥憈erm, making turnover rare. They鈥檙e great places to visit on holidays or weekends, but may not always be the best choice if you鈥檙e looking for steady, full鈥憈ime teaching work.
Cultural Tips for Teaching in Vietnam
- Vietnamese students are generally respectful and eager to learn. Primary school students can be lively, so games and interactive activities work well to keep them engaged.
- Dress modestly – business casual attire is expected in most schools, and looking professional helps you earn respect.
- Avoid making someone 鈥渓ose face鈥� – offer feedback privately and respectfully to maintain good relationships with students and colleagues.
- Take time to build relationships – showing genuine respect and interest in Vietnamese culture goes a long way in and out of the classroom.
Career Growth and Opportunities in Vietnam
Many teachers come to Vietnam planning to stay just a year, but end up building a longer鈥憈erm career here. As you gain experience, you鈥檒l find opportunities to earn more, move into more competitive roles, and even specialise in areas with higher demand. Here are some of the career paths you can work toward:
- Earn higher hourly rates and move into better鈥憄aying schools.
- Transition into management or academic coordinator roles, earning upwards of $2,500/month.
- Specialise in high鈥慸emand areas like IELTS preparation or teacher training.
- Move into universities or even international schools if you gain additional qualifications.
Ready to Get Started?
Starting your teaching journey in Vietnam is exciting – and can be a little daunting. Taking the time to choose the right course and understand what to expect will make your move much smoother and help you feel more confident from day one. When you鈥檙e ready, here are some ways we can help:
- Take our quiz to see if Vietnam is a good fit for you.
- at School of 欧美日b大片, our dedicated training site run by the same team as 欧美日b大片.
- Get in touch if you鈥檇 just like to ask a few questions and get some honest advice.
We鈥檝e been helping new teachers take their first steps in 欧美日b大片 since 2005, and we鈥檙e here to help you when you鈥檙e ready.
Helpful Links
Sources & References
In addition to the cost of living sources, some information in this guide is based on publicly available data from the following official sources:
This guide also draws on over 20 years of experience supporting teachers and schools in Vietnam since 2005.
