Teaching English in Vietnam is one of the most accessible and rewarding ways to live and work abroad. English teachers in Vietnam can earn $1,400–$2,000 per month working 18–24 teaching hours per week, while living expenses typically range from $700–$1,200 per month. With a bachelor’s degree, TEFL certification, and a passport from a native-English-speaking country, it’s possible to secure English teaching jobs in Vietnam even without previous teaching experience. The combination of strong demand for teachers, low cost of living, vibrant culture, and excellent travel opportunities makes Vietnam one of the best destinations in the world for teaching English abroad.
Why Teach English in Vietnam?
Vietnam has become one of the most popular destinations for teaching English abroad because it offers a rare combination of good salaries, low living costs, and strong job demand.
Many teachers choose Vietnam because it allows them to:
- live comfortably while saving money
- work fewer hours than in many other countries
- travel extensively within Southeast Asia
- gain international work experience
Vietnam also has a population of around 100 million people and a fast-growing economy, which has created strong demand for English education in schools, language centers, and businesses.
This demand means there are many English teaching jobs in Vietnam available each year, particularly in major cities such as Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
How Much Do English Teachers Earn in Vietnam?
English teachers in Vietnam typically earn between $1,400 and $2,000 per month before tax when working full-time.
Most positions are paid hourly, with typical rates of:
$16–$22 per teaching hour
Full-time teachers usually teach:
- 18–24 teaching hours per week
- plus lesson planning and admin time
This can result in as little as 30 hours of total work per week, depending on how long you take to lesson plan, which is significantly lower than many full-time jobs in Western countries.
Teachers who take additional hours or gain experience can increase their earnings over time.
What Are the Requirements to Teach English in Vietnam?
To legally teach English in Vietnam, most teachers need three main qualifications:
1. A bachelor’s degree
This can be in any subject.
2. A TEFL certification
Vietnamese work permit regulations require a TEFL or TESOL qualification.
3. A passport from a native English-speaking country, or proven English proficiency
The countries designated as native English speaking countries by the Vietnamese government are:
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Ireland
Those designated as non-native English speakers by the Vietnamese government (every country other than the above) need to obtain an English proficiency certificate (such as IELTs) in order to qualify for a work permit. It should be noted that many employers have a preference for hiring native English speaking teachers, so it may be more challenging to secure jobs for non-native English speakers.
Is Previous Teaching Experience Required To Teach English in Vietnam?
No. Previous teaching experience is not usually required to teach English in Vietnam.
Many schools regularly hire new teachers who have just completed their TEFL certification, particularly at language centers and entry-level teaching positions.
This relatively low barrier to entry is one of the reasons Vietnam has become one of the most popular destinations for people looking to start teaching English abroad.
Do You Need a TEFL Certification to Teach English in Vietnam?
Yes. A TEFL or TESOL certification is required to obtain a legal work permit in Vietnam.
This is a requirement that is set by the Vietnamese government in order to obtain a work permit, visa and work legally in Vietnam so it is required.
In addition, TEFL courses should prepare teachers for:
-
lesson planning
-
classroom management
-
teaching methodology
- practical teaching skills
How Much Do TEFL Courses Cost?
TEFL courses vary widely in quality and price.
Typical costs include:
- Online TEFL courses: $200– $600
- In-person TEFL courses: $1,500 – $2,750
When choosing a TEFL course, it is important to consider several factors:
Is It Better To Take An In-Person TEFL Course Or Online TEFL Course?
Teaching is a practical skill. Courses that are taught in the classroom over a 4-week period and include teaching practice with real students are valued far more by employers than online TEFL courses.
Schools in Vietnam prefer hiring teachers who have completed in-person TEFL courses that include classroom-based training and teaching practicum hours, as these courses lead to graduates being able to deliver effective, engaging lessons from day one of the job, which is what employers are looking for in new hires.
High-quality TEFL courses should prepare you to:
- create detailed and compelling lesson plans
- deliver effective lessons in the classroom
- confidently manage and engage a class of learners
Most employers are not confident that an online TEFL course will lead to actual practical teaching ability. A high quality in-person 4-week TEFL course, on the other hand, will build up your practical teaching skills throughout the course, which impresses employers.
Some in-person TEFL courses also provide orientation, local support, and job placement which can make the transition to living in Vietnam much easier.
An online TEFL course can be a good option for those:
- with previous experience in Teaching English as a Foreign Language experience in the classroom, and needs the TEFL certificate for work permit purposes; or
- who are willing to limit themselves to the rarer job opportunities with employers that provide pre-service TEFL training internally; or
- who are only interested in learning the theoretical foundations of TEFL.
What Is the Cost of Living in Vietnam for English Teachers?
One of the biggest advantages of teaching English in Vietnam is the low cost of living.
Most teachers spend between $700 and $1,200 per month, depending on lifestyle and location.
Typical monthly costs include:
- Accommodation: $350 – $500
- Food and groceries: $200 – $300
- Transport: $100 – $150
Vietnam is also known for extremely affordable street food, where meals can cost as little as $2–$3.
Because salaries are relatively strong compared with local costs, many teachers are able to save money while living comfortably.
What Are Teaching Hours Like in Vietnam?
Most full-time English teachers in Vietnam teach between 18 and 24 classroom hours per week.
With lesson planning and preparation included, total working hours are usually around 30 hours per week.
This lighter schedule allows teachers to:
- travel around Vietnam
- pursue hobbies
- explore local culture
- maintain a good work-life balance
Some teachers also take on additional hours or teach at multiple schools to increase income.
For those interested in working less, part-time jobs are also available.
How Is The Teaching English In Vietnam Job Market?
Vietnam has one of the largest English learning markets in Southeast Asia.
The global English language learning industry continues to grow rapidly, and Vietnam’s expanding economy, and population of 100 million people, has created strong demand for English teachers.
TEFL teaching jobs in Vietnam are especially common in:
- private language centers
- public schools
At Ninja Teacher, we successfully place over 100 program participants per year in jobs in Vietnam, which shows a high demand for TEFL teachers.
Major cities such as Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi typically offer the most opportunities, with job opportunities in smaller cities around the country too.
How Long Does It Take To Get An English Teaching Job In Vietnam?
The time it takes to secure a teaching English in Vietnam jobs varies based on several factors, such as the quality of the TEFL course you took, previous work experience on your CV, presenting well in interviews, impressing interviewers with your TEFL knowledge, and whether you are already present in Vietnam or not.
Ninja Teacher has data based on the 100+ TEFL graduates we place in teaching English jobs in Vietnam each year. The results of our graduates are not typical because our Vietnam TEFL Program is highly regarded amongst employers in Vietnam for its quality of training, we ensure our program participants have all the correctly legalized documents prepared, and our graduates have gained the skills and knowledge over 4-weeks of in-person teacher training and teaching practicum to impress employers.
That being said, the average time for our Ninja Teacher Vietnam TEFL Program participants to receive a job offer is only 7 days after graduating with their TEFL certification and we guarantee our program participants will receive a job offer within 30 days of graduation.
What Are the Startup Costs to Move to Vietnam to Teach English?
Moving abroad to teach English requires some upfront costs before your first paycheck arrives.
Typical startup costs include:
Flights: $400 – $700
Document authentication: $225 – $600
Visa and related costs: $350 – $500
Health insurance: about $120 for the first three months
Living expenses before first salary: $1,400 – $2,750
With the low living costs, teachers are able to save and recuperate their start-up costs while working in Vietnam.
What Is Life Like Living in Vietnam?
Vietnam offers a vibrant lifestyle that attracts expats from around the world.
Many teachers enjoy:
- lively cities
- friendly locals
- world-famous cuisine
- excellent coffee culture
- exciting nightlife
Vietnam’s culture is also incredibly diverse, combining ancient traditions with modern urban life.
Food is another highlight. Vietnam is widely considered one of the world’s best food destinations, offering hundreds of unique dishes at very affordable prices.
Can You Travel While Teaching English in Vietnam?
Yes! Travel is one of the biggest perks of living in Vietnam.
The country is home to stunning landscapes and eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including:
- Ha Long Bay
- Hoi An Ancient Town
- Phong Nha caves – the largest in the world
- The Imperial Citadel of Hue
Domestic flights within Vietnam can cost as little as $75 round trip.
International travel is also extremely affordable. Flights to nearby countries such as Thailand and Malaysia can cost around $100 round trip, and buses to Cambodia can be as cheap as $20.
This makes Vietnam an excellent base for exploring Southeast Asia.
Can You Teach English Online While Living in Vietnam?
Teaching English online while living in Vietnam is an option but lower rates, difficulty to obtain enough hours, and visa concerns make it less popular than classroom-based teaching.
Online English teaching companies typically pay teachers around:
$8 – $15 per teaching hour
Online teaching offers flexibility and the ability to set your own schedule, but many teachers find it difficult to obtain enough hours, and get offered lower hourly rates, which makes it more difficult to make a full-time income. Many companies also do not offer work visas to stay in the country long-term.
For this reason, many teachers opt to teach in-person. Teaching online can be a good option to make some income for those interested in a digital nomad lifestyle.
Is Teaching English in Vietnam Worth It?
For many people, teaching English in Vietnam offers a rare opportunity to have a fun lifestyle, work-life balance, travel, meaningful work, and a rewarding cultural experience.
The country offers:
- strong demand for teachers
- competitive salaries relative to living costs
- low barriers to entry
- excellent work-life balance
- vibrant culture and food
- affordable travel throughout Asia
For those looking to live abroad, gain teaching experience, and explore a fascinating country, Vietnam remains one of the best places in the world to start teaching English.
You can watch some video interviews with those who have come through our programs to hear about how much they liked teaching English in Vietnam, with several saying “it was the best decision I ever made”.
Want To Start Teaching English in Vietnam?
You can find out more about how we can help you move to Vietnam, get trained and TEFL certified to be an English teacher, and receive guaranteed job placement:
Or look into our self-paced online TEFL course here: