Teach English in Vietnam
Teach English in Vietnam
From the Pho soaked, moped strewn hum of Hanoi, to the pulsating metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam has been a teacher’s dream since it opened to tourists in 1986. English teachers in Vietnam live enviably in the thriving expats scenes of each major city. Here, they can revel in western comforts amid authentic Vietnamese culture in all its glory. If you’re tempted to ditch the typical 9 ...
Read MoreWhat to Know About Teaching in Vietnam
Such is the level of respect given to teachers on this side of the world. In fact, all over Vietnam, learning the English language is taken very seriously. In Vietnam, they recognise its ability to open doors significantly.
Whether you’re teaching a class of adorable youngsters or testing your knowledge of current trends with your high-school students, you’ll feel appreciated wherever you...
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How to Get a Teaching Job in Vietnam
Before you can high-five your first students or sip the infamous strong Vietnamese coffee - you’ll need to find work! Luckily, English teaching jobs in Vietnam are easy to come by and complemented by a straightforward hiring process typical of top TEFL destinations. Exactly how you land your teaching job will depend on previous experience and the kind of lifestyle you want to lead.
Are you looking to teach English in Vietnam with no prior experience, either of teaching or living abroad? We’ve got you covered! Moving to Vietnam through joining a paid, 12-month internship guarantees you a job working in a public school. Premier TEFL’s paid Vietnam internship requires participants to be degree holders and native speakers, but allows you to find work without any prior teaching experience! On top of this, you’ll get a culturally immersive orientation week, accommodation throughout, and a group of fellow expats to share the journey with!
Those who are qualified teachers or who have experience living abroad and navigating the process can browse through our job listings on GoCambio. Our partner website features the more niche English teaching jobs in Vietnam, such as secondary school math, science, and PE positions.
Some of the best-paid English teaching jobs in Vietnam can be accessed through gocambio listings, as they usually come straight from international academies (the most boujee private schools in Vietnam). However, with a higher salary comes a longer list of requirements. These private language academies often want their teachers to have prior experience and a teaching certificate at the very least. Some prefer those with a teaching degree or a Master's in education.
While finding a job independently may increase your earning potential, you’ll lack the benefits of an internship, such as a ready-made social group, provided accommodation, and an all-inclusive orientation week.
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When to Apply for Teaching Jobs in Vietnam
Whether you apply to teach English in Vietnam through a paid internship or want to search for a private language school, we recommend applying a few months in advance. This gives you time to prepare your paperwork, liaise with your school or agency, and prepare for a life-changing move!
While there are year-round job opportunities, especially for international schools, it’s crucial to note the semester dates in Vietnam. The first begins in September and ends just before the Lunar New Year at the end of December. The second semester begins in January and lasts until June. Between June and August, those with English teaching jobs in Vietnam can enjoy a well-deserved holiday, and choose to bathe in or shelter from the scorching Vietnamese summer sun.
To apply for English teaching jobs in Vietnam through an internship, the process begins any time from May onwards to prepare for a September start date. As the borders have only recently opened post-pandemic, many employers prefer applicants to commit to a one year contract. As an intern, you’ll receive tons of help from our in-country support network. Not only that, our team will organize your interview, work permit, and other elements of the hiring process. This means you’ll avoid the hassle that comes with a country that loves paperwork!
If you’re applying for an English teaching job in Vietnam via an international school or want to commit for one semester only, there’s a time of year you should be cautious of. The Lunar New year, otherwise known as Tet, is the most important celebration for Vietnamese families. The entire country explodes into color, dizzying festivities, and abruptly grinds to a halt for at least a week. This causes the delay of any important paperwork or admin for around 2 weeks: taking into account the pre-Tet partying and post-Tet hangovers!
What You Need to Know About Teaching English in Vietnam
As Vietnam welcomes more TEFL teachers than ever, jobs are starting to vary hugely in the contracts they offer to foreigners: including schedule, workload, and some handy benefits. All of this depends on whether you opt for an international or government-funded school.
For those just wanting a taste of Vietnamese life, signing up for one semester is possible, but it may limit your job search. As Vietnam recovers from Covid, the majority of companies want their teachers to stay for an entire year (just shy of 12 months). While this might seem like a long time to teach English in Vietnam, there's so much to see and do in this beautiful country. You might be tempted to extend your stay!
Another important thing to note is the difference in schedules between private and public schools. Typically, public school classes are like your typical 9-5- running from 8:00am till 11am, and 1:30pm till 4:30pm. Note the 2.5-hour siesta-style lunch break!
Working hours in private and international schools are a little less conventional by western standards. This is because of its range of afternoon, evening, and sometimes weekend classes. However, wherever you choose, you’ll be guaranteed an enviable work-life balance. 2 days off each week and a light workload of between 20-30 hours are typical in these institutions.
In your free time teaching English in Vietnam, you’ll be able to live comfortably, even lavishly, thanks to the infamously low cost of living. On these comfortably long lunch breaks, grab a bahn mi and a caphe sua (condensed milk coffee) for 20,000 VND each (about $0.80). After a rewarding week of teaching, enjoying an ice-cold beer will cost as little as 10,000VND. A swankier meal at a high end restaurant might set you back around 150,000VND, which is still only $ 6.50.
Of course, where you choose to enjoy this low cost of living will guarantee a vastly different, while equally enjoyable experience. The majority of teaching English jobs in Vietnam are located in Hanoi, the cultural capital, or the high-rise metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC).
Hanoi encapsulates everything you’ve heard about Vietnam. With beautiful, crumbling colonial buildings, moped-filled boulevards, plumes of incense, and it’s the birthplace of Pho Chin! As such, life here is more authentic, if a little less modern. By contrast, HCMC is the capital of commerce that pulsates with electric energy. Here, expats can expect warmer weather than Hanoi, swish buildings, and a slightly higher cost of living.
FAQ's
How much does an English teacher make in Vietnam?
This depends on whether you work for a government-funded school or a private academy. Jetting to Vietnam with a paid internship guarantees a Monthly salary of US$1200-1800 (€1065-€1,600/£900-£1350). By contrast, those teaching in a private school earns anywhere between US$1500-2000 (€1,424-€1,898/£1,192-£1590).
Is teaching English in Vietnam good?
Absolutely! Teaching English in Vietnam is undoubtedly the best way to travel ethically: by giving back to the community that you wish to experience! There’s no better feeling when teaching English than having a group of students so eager to learn your mother tongue. In Vietnam- you’ll get to experience this every day, leaving you with fantastic memories to cherish forever.
How do I become an English teacher in Vietnam?
If you’re tempted to teach in one of the world’s happiest nations, you can start through us! You can apply for our paid Vietnam internship, or browse job openings on our partner website, GoCambio. Or, if you need a bit more advice, reach out to our team of TEFL experts via our live chat, or request a call-back.
Can you teach TEFL in Vietnam without a degree?
It’s rare to get hired to teach in Vietnam without a bachelor's degree; however, it doesn’t have to be in an education-related field. A bachelor's degree is an essential qualification for the Vietnamese government- and they’re pretty unwavering!
Can you teach in Vietnam with TEFL?
Yes, you can! Holding your own TEFL certificate is a key step in obtaining that all-important work permit (and teaching knowledge, of course). Saying this, you’ll need more than a TEFL certificate to meet the requirements of your employers.
How do I get a TEFL Certificate in Vietnam?
Getting a TEFL certificate to teach in Vietnam has never been easier, with a myriad of online, and hybrid courses to choose from. On the Premier TEFL website are a range of TEFL courses spanning from 120 hours to 310 hours of quality learning.
Do I need a visa for Vietnam?
To enter Vietnam as a teacher, most reputable companies will help you organize a business visa. A 6-month multiple entry visa costs around $95. Your employers will extend this in-country if you are working for a year in Vietnam.
