VIETNAM
It's tempting to see Vietnam as the seething mass of mopeds, cyclos and people that defines its major cities. But you need only scratch the surface to find the fantastic food, awesome scenery and beautiful beaches that add to this beguiling country’s charm.
Getting around is simple: flights speed between all the major destinations, and cheap trains and buses can be taken almost anywhere. Wherever you go, one thing remains constant: the friendliness of the Vietnamese people. They have a character and humor that other nations struggle to match, and you'll find it very hard to say goodbye.
TEFL in Vietnam (Contracts, Salary, Work)
- Demand for Teachers
- Main TEFL Regions
- Busiest TEFL Periods
- Contract Lengths
- Types of Teaching
- Accommodation
- Flight Reimbursement
- Currency
- Salary
- Taxes
- Cost of Living
- Potential to Save Money
- How Much TEFL Training is Recommended?
- Common teaching conditions
Finding Work
Work Visas
Why choose Vietnam?
Be Aware
Before you go
A Few Fun Facts
TEFL in Vietnam (Contracts, Salary, Work)
Demand for teachers
Very high.There is massive demand for English teachers here, and not enough teachers to fill the positions, so you have a good chance of finding a job.
Main TEFL regions
Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City. There are opportunities in smaller towns and cities, but there won’t be much to do after work.Busiest TEFL periods
March-December. There’s a big lull around Tet in late January/early February.Contract lengths
3-12 monthsTypes of teaching
- Universities: General English, IELTS, TOEFL & Cambridge PET, FCE
- Private language schools: General English, Business English
- State primary & secondary schools: General English, English for Younger Learners
Accommodation
You’ll usually have to find your own accommodation. A comfortable apartment will cost between US$300-500 per month, and you can get a house just a little more.Flight reimbursement
Most schools will pay you a bonus at the end of a long contract to cover your flights.Currency
Vietnamese Dong (VND), although the US Dollar is commonly used.Symbol: ₫
Salary
The minimum you should accept is US$12 per hour, which works out at about US$1,200 per month. Most teachers earn about US$1,500-2,000 per month.Pay is commensurate with a teacher's qualifications and experience.
Taxes
On a salary of US$1,200 per month, you’ll pay about 6% of your earnings as tax; on US$2,000 per month, it’ll be about 12%.Cost of living
The cost of living in Vietnam is very low, and accommodation will be by far your biggest expense. Tasty, healthy street food can cost less than US$1 per meal, the ubiquitous Bia Hoi cost only US$0.20 per glass and there are plenty of travel agencies competing to whisk you around the country, keeping prices low.Potential to save money
With such a big difference between salaries and the cost of living, you’d have to spend like Paris Hilton to not save any money!How much TEFL training is recommended?
In most schools it’s no longer enough to just have a degree, so you’ll need a TEFL qualification - such as those provided by i-to-i - to get your foot in the door. There aren’t many heavily-qualified teachers in Vietnam, so it’s an excellent place for novices and veterans alike.Common teaching conditions
A full-time position will involve 25 hours of teaching classes of 20-30 students. Learning English is seen as very important here, so the students themselves tend to be enthusiastic and your experience will often be very rewarding.Finding Work
How do I find work?
Several of the big schools, such as Language Link and Apollo, advertise positions on the internet; but they’ll usually only take on the better qualified teachers without seeing them in the flesh.Can I find work while in-country?
There are so many language schools in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City that it’s much easier to find a job once you arrive. The British Council can provide a list of schools, or you could ask around at ex-pat bars.Otherwise, just hire a xe om (motorcycle taxi) and stop at any language schools you pass!
What is the usual hiring process?
It’s the usual process of going into schools with CV in hand and arranging interviews.Work Visas
Is a work visa required to find paid work in Vietnam?
There are two things you’ll need: a visa and a permit. You can arrange a visa before you arrive, then you’ll need a separate work permit for each school you teach at, the forms will be provided by your school, but you’ll have to do the legwork yourself.However, if you’re teaching at a school for less than three months, you won’t need a permit to work there
Work Visa requirements:
- Résumé
- Certificate of Temporary Residence form from local Vietnamese police
- Medical examination certificate
- Copies of your qualifications
- Criminal record check
Why Choose Vietnam?
- Beautiful country
- Friendly, spirited people
- Plenty of jobs
- Lots of opportunity to save
Be Aware…
If you’re faced with a street hawker trying to sell you something you don’t want, it’s pointless getting angry because there’ll just be another guy around the corner trying to sell you something else. Try to keep a smile on your face: it’s all part of the fun!
During Tet (Lunar New Year), the whole country slows down and takes time off, so it’s almost impossible to get around. However, it’s a good time to ease into life Hanoi or Saigon, as the cities are much less busy than normal.
Before you go
Read this…
The Sorrow of War by Bao Ninh – haunting story of a young Vietnamese man sent off to serve his country in the American-Vietnamese WarWatch this…
The Scent of Green Papaya – wonderful film about a poor-but-sweet Vietnamese woman’s life. Gives a fascinating insight into a seemingly long-passed era.A Few Fun Facts
- Fish sauce is used in almost all cooking, and even as a dipping sauce. It’s made by fermenting fish (usually anchovies) in huge barrels.
- The Hang Nga Crazy House is a guesthouse in Dalat that’s become a tourist attraction itself. It’s a bizarre mix of architecture with themed rooms, mock spider webs and huge animal sculptures.
- Although we broadly call its inhabitants “Vietnamese”, there are actually 54 different ethnics groups here, including several hill tribes.
- You’ll see the word “Nguyen” everywhere. It’s the most common surname and is ubiquitous on street signs – it’s even the seventh most-popular surname in Australia!
