A 2026 guide to teaching English in Vietnam: $1,100–$2,300 monthly salaries, degree and TEFL requirements, the Decree 219 work permit process, living costs, top employers and steps to get hired.
To teach English in Vietnam in 2026 you need a bachelor’s degree and a 120-hour TEFL certificate, and you can expect to earn about $1,100–$2,300 a month. Vietnam remains one of Asia’s busiest TEFL markets, with steady demand in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Da Nang and a national plan to make English a second language in schools. This guide covers requirements, work permits, salaries, costs, employers and the steps to get hired.
TL;DR
- Salary: about $1,100–$2,300/month (roughly 28–58 million VND); private tutoring and corporate classes $15–$80/hour.
- Requirements: bachelor’s degree (any field), 120-hour TEFL/TESOL/CELTA, clean criminal record and Vietnamese health check; IELTS 6.5+ for most non-native speakers.
- Visa: enter on a business visa or e-visa; your employer gets a work permit under Decree 219/2025 (up to 2 years) and you receive a temporary residence card.
- Costs: around $450–$500/month excluding rent in the big cities, so saving $400–$800 a month is realistic.
- Best for: degree-holders who want solid pay, low costs and plenty of jobs without a teaching licence.
Last updated: November 2026
Table of Contents
- Is There Demand for English Teachers in Vietnam?
- Requirements to Teach English in Vietnam
- Vietnam Work Permit and Visa Process
- English Teacher Salary in Vietnam
- Types of Teaching Jobs and Where to Find Them
- Cost of Living for Teachers in Vietnam
- Pros and Cons of Teaching in Vietnam
- How to Get Hired: Step by Step
- Related Guides
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Is There Demand for English Teachers in Vietnam?
Demand is strong and backed by government policy. In October 2025 the Prime Minister approved Decision 2371/QĐ-TTg, a 2025–2035 scheme to make English a second language in Vietnamese schools, with English set to become compulsory from Grade 1 nationwide by 2030. Vietnamese media report that schools already face a shortage of qualified English teachers.
Private demand is just as important. Parents pay for after-school English at language centres, adults study for IELTS and work, and companies buy in-house business English. Most jobs are in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, followed by Da Nang, Hai Phong, Nha Trang and other growing provincial cities. Vietnam compares well with neighbours such as teaching English in Thailand and teaching in Cambodia, usually paying more than both.
Requirements to Teach English in Vietnam
- Bachelor’s degree: any subject, legalised (apostille or embassy legalisation) with a certified Vietnamese translation. Associate degrees do not qualify.
- TEFL certificate: at least 120 hours. A 120-hour TEFL course meets the standard; CELTA or a Level 5 TEFL helps for adult and IELTS classes.
- Criminal record check: from your home country or last country of residence, issued within six months and legalised. US FBI checks can take months, so start early.
- Health certificate: from an approved Vietnamese hospital, valid for 12 months; usually done after arrival.
- English level: passport holders from the US, UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are exempt from tests; others usually need IELTS 6.5+ or equivalent.
- Experience: not needed by most language centres, but some permit classifications ask for proof of teaching experience. Your employer will confirm which documents it needs.
Vietnam Work Permit and Visa Process
Vietnam’s work permit rules were updated by Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, effective 7 August 2025, which replaced the older Decree 152. Applications go through the provincial authorities via the national public service portal, and permits are tied to one employer.
- Secure a job offer from an employer licensed to sponsor foreign workers.
- Legalise your documents at home: degree, TEFL certificate and criminal record check.
- Enter on the right visa. Employers usually arrange a business (DN) visa. The e-visa allows stays of up to 90 days and costs $25 single-entry or $50 multiple-entry, but it is not a work visa.
- Complete the health check in Vietnam.
- Employer files the work permit. Permits are generally issued for the contract length, up to two years, and the full process typically takes several weeks.
- Get your temporary residence card so you can live and re-enter without new visas.
Working without a permit can mean fines of 15–25 million VND, deportation and an entry ban, so avoid employers who ask you to teach indefinitely on a tourist visa.
English Teacher Salary in Vietnam
Salaries are usually quoted in VND, but most teachers think in dollars. At roughly 25,500–26,500 VND to US$1 in 2026, these are typical full-time ranges:
| Employer type | Monthly pay (USD) | Approx. VND | Typical hours / perks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language centre (new teacher) | $1,100–$1,750 | 28–45 million | 20–25 teaching hours; evenings and weekends |
| Language centre (experienced) | $1,600–$2,200 | 41–56 million | Higher hourly rate, IELTS or adult classes |
| Public school programme | $1,200–$2,000 | 31–51 million | Weekday daytime; often via an agency |
| International / bilingual school | $1,900–$2,300+ | 48–58 million+ | Licensed teachers earn more; housing or flights sometimes included |
| University | $1,500–$2,500 | 38–63 million | Master’s degree often required |
| Private tutoring / corporate | $15–$80/hour | about 400,000–2 million/hour | Top-up income; corporate rates highest |
Contracts at reputable employers usually include paid holidays, help with the work permit and sometimes an end-of-contract bonus or health insurance. Vietnam sits in the mid-to-high band for Asia; see how it compares in our list of the highest TEFL salaries in the world.
Types of Teaching Jobs and Where to Find Them
Language centres
The biggest employers of foreign teachers. Well-known chains include ILA, Apollo English, VUS and Wall Street English, alongside hundreds of independent centres. Expect young learners and teens after school, plus adult and IELTS classes.
Public schools
Foreign teachers work in state primary and secondary schools, usually hired and supported by agencies. Hours are daytime on weekdays, with large classes and a local co-teacher.
International and bilingual schools, universities
These pay best but want licensed teachers or postgraduate degrees. Bilingual schools are expanding quickly in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
Where to find jobs
Search Vietnam Teaching Jobs, Dave’s ESL Cafe and Teach Away, check the careers pages of the chains above, and join local Facebook groups for teachers in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. Our guide to finding work abroad in Vietnam covers non-teaching roles and recruiters too.
Cost of Living for Teachers in Vietnam
| Expense (per month) | Hanoi | Ho Chi Minh City |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bed apartment, city centre | About $375 | About $620 |
| 1-bed apartment, outside centre | About $265 | About $300 |
| Basic utilities | About $67 | About $100 |
| Home broadband | About $9 | About $10 |
| Local restaurant meal | About $2 | About $2 |
| Single person’s costs excluding rent | About $450 | About $485 |
Many teachers rent a serviced studio and get around by motorbike or Grab. Budget $1,500–$2,500 for start-up costs such as flights, a deposit and the first month before payday.
Pros and Cons of Teaching in Vietnam
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Plenty of jobs year-round, no teaching licence needed | Degree is mandatory for a legal work permit |
| Good savings potential on $1,500–$2,000 | Document legalisation is slow and costly |
| Low living costs and excellent food | Evening and weekend hours at language centres |
| Government push for English in schools | Traffic, noise and air pollution in Hanoi and HCMC |
| Easy regional travel across Southeast Asia | Quality varies widely between employers |
How to Get Hired: Step by Step
- Complete a 120-hour TEFL certificate if you do not have one.
- Order your criminal record check and legalise your degree, TEFL and police check before you leave home.
- Apply online to language centres, agencies and job boards two to three months before your target start date, aiming for August or January intakes.
- Prepare a short demo lesson for young learners; most interviews include one.
- Confirm in writing that the employer will sponsor your work permit and temporary residence card.
- Arrive on the visa your employer specifies, complete your health check and start teaching once the permit is issued.
If you are still choosing between countries, our complete guide to teaching English as a second language compares the main routes into teaching abroad.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do you need to teach English in Vietnam?
You need a bachelor’s degree in any field and a TEFL, TESOL or CELTA certificate of at least 120 hours, both legalised for the work permit. You also need a clean criminal record check issued within six months and a Vietnamese health certificate. Non-native speakers usually need IELTS 6.5 or an equivalent score.
How much do English teachers earn in Vietnam in 2026?
Most full-time teachers earn about $1,100–$2,300 a month, or roughly 28–58 million VND. Language centres usually pay $1,100–$2,200 depending on experience, public-school programmes $1,200–$2,000, and international schools more for licensed teachers. Private tutoring and corporate classes pay about $15–$80 an hour.
Can you teach English in Vietnam without a degree?
Not legally. A bachelor’s degree is required for a work permit under Decree 219/2025, so teachers without one can only find informal, unsponsored work, which risks fines of 15–25 million VND, deportation and entry bans. Without a degree, consider online teaching or countries with more flexible rules instead.
Which visa do English teachers use in Vietnam?
Teachers usually enter on a business (DN) visa or an e-visa, then the employer applies for a work permit, typically valid for up to two years. With the work permit you get a temporary residence card. The 90-day e-visa costs $25 single-entry or $50 multiple-entry and is not a work visa.
Is Vietnam a good place to save money as an English teacher?
Yes, for many teachers. Single-person living costs excluding rent are about $450–$500 a month in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre costs about $265–$300. On a $1,500–$2,000 salary, teachers living locally can often save $400–$800 a month.
When do schools hire English teachers in Vietnam?
Language centres hire year-round. Public-school programmes and international schools hire mainly for an August or September start, with smaller intakes around January. Avoid arriving just before Tet, the Lunar New Year in late January or February, when hiring and paperwork pause for several weeks.
Conclusion
Vietnam offers one of the best balances of pay, living costs and job availability for new TEFL teachers in 2026, as long as you have a degree and start your paperwork early. Get your TEFL, legalise your documents and use our teach-abroad guide to plan your next step.
