Teaching English in Vietnam
Vietnam has become one of the world’s best places to start (and stay in) an English teaching career: salaries of $1,200–$2,000 a month meet living costs of $700–$1,000, demand from language centres and an exam-driven…
Overview
Vietnam has become one of the world’s best places to start (and stay in) an English teaching career: salaries of $1,200–$2,000 a month meet living costs of $700–$1,000, demand from language centres and an exam-driven IELTS culture keeps timetables full, and the cities are simply good places to live. Teachers who came for a year and stayed five are Vietnam’s defining cliché - because the sums and the lifestyle both work.
The market splits three ways: language centres (evening and weekend classes for kids and young adults - the biggest hirer of new teachers), public school programmes (daytime hours, often arranged through providers), and IELTS preparation, the fastest-growing and best-paid mainstream segment. International schools sit above all three for licensed teachers.
Teaching in Vietnam at a glance (2026)
| Requirements | Bachelor’s degree + 120-hour TEFL + criminal and health checks for the work permit |
| Typical pay | $1,200–$2,000/month (£950–£1,600); centres pay $17–$25/hour |
| Main routes | Language centres, public school programmes, kindergartens, IELTS preparation |
| Hiring season | Year-round with a surge before the September school year |
| Visa | Work permit + temporary residence card, employer-sponsored |
Why do teachers rate Vietnam so highly?
The pay-to-cost ratio: full-time teachers commonly save $400–$800 a month while eating out daily. Demand keeps growing, especially for IELTS preparation.
Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City?
Pay is similar; Ho Chi Minh City has more corporate work, Hanoi more public-school programmes, and Da Nang trades a little pay for a lot of lifestyle.
Plan your move
- How much do English teachers make in Vietnam? (full salary guide)
- Current teaching jobs in Vietnam on our jobs board
- The 120-hour TESOL Certificate- the qualification every route below expects