TEFL jobs in Vietnam

Yes, and the legal route is narrower than most guides admit. Under Decree 152/2020/ND-CP your employer, not you, must obtain your work permit, filed at least fifteen days before you start. You must hold a bachelor’s degree plus three years of relevant experience, or five years of experience with a legalised practice certificate.

What Irish teachers should know first

Start with the passport, because this is where Irish teachers get caught out. Viet Nam’s published visa exemption list does not include Ireland. British, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian and Finnish passport holders get 45 days visa-free under Viet Nam’s unilateral exemption policy, which runs from 15 March 2025 to 14 March 2028, and a second group including Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, Czechia and Switzerland gets up to 45 days under the Tourism Stimulus Program to 14 August 2028. Ireland is on neither list. An Irish passport means applying for an e-visa, which the National Portal on Immigration states is issued for a maximum of 90 days, single or multiple entry. Budget the time for it; do not assume you can walk in the way your British classmates can.

The work permit rules are set out in Decree 152/2020/ND-CP and summarised on Viet Nam’s Government Portal. To qualify as an expert you need a bachelor’s degree or higher plus at least three years of experience in the field you trained in and relevant to the job, or at least five years of experience with a practice certificate carrying consular legalisation. Language teachers evidence this with a diploma meeting the standards in the Law on Education and the Ministry of Education and Training’s regulation on the organisation and operation of foreign language centres. You will also need a criminal record certificate issued within the previous six months and a fitness to work certificate issued within the previous twelve.

Two details are worth knowing before you sign anything. First, the application is your employer’s job: it goes to the Ministry of Labour or the provincial Department of Labour at least fifteen days before you start, and is decided within five working days. Second, the Government Portal states plainly that foreigners do not pay the work permit fee and that the employer should cover the expense. The fee is set locally, for example VND 400,000 in Hanoi and VND 600,000 in Ho Chi Minh City, with VND 1,000,000 the current highest. A school that asks you to pay for your own permit is charging you for something the Government Portal says is theirs to pay. A work permit runs for a maximum of two years under Article 10 of the decree.

You will hear that people simply convert a tourist visa in country. It happens, and the paragraph below reflects how the market has long worked, but understand the exposure: the Government Portal is explicit that a foreign worker without a work permit or a written exemption faces a fine and expulsion from Viet Nam, and the employer is fined too. Get the permit process started in writing before you fly.

On money, we will not print a Vietnamese teacher salary figure, because no Vietnamese government body publishes one and we are not going to repeat a number we cannot source. For scale, Decree 293/2025/ND-CP raised regional minimum wages by an average of 7.2 per cent from 1 January 2026, an increase of VND 250,000 to 350,000 a month, according to Viet Nam Social Security. That is the legal floor for all workers, not a teaching rate. Ask any school for the monthly figure, the contracted teaching hours and who pays the work permit fee, in writing, before you accept.

What do you need to teach English in Vietnam?

In most circumstances, a BA degree and a criminal background check are required to lawfully work teaching English in Vietnam. You should also have TEFL certification, prior experience, or education in a related profession. If you find a job while in the nation, you can change your tourist visa to a work visa, which is a popular way to work in Vietnam. In addition, there are many volunteer options to teach English in Vietnam, which can be a fantastic way to get a feel for the culture and determine if it is right for you.

Why do teachers choose Vietnam?

Exotic meals, bustling cities, and striking natural settings are just a few of the reasons why so many people choose to teach English in Vietnam. From the UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay to the vibrant energy of Ho Chi Minh City and the historic charm of Hanoi, Vietnam offers a balance of adventure, culture, and affordability. As a TEFL teacher here, you’ll experience both the country’s iconic landmarks and its authentic local life.

Consider teaching English in Vietnam if you want a pleasant environment all year, friendly pupils and coworkers, and an excellent base for touring Southeast Asia on the cheap. In this Teach English in Vietnam Ultimate Guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about anything from getting your TEFL certification to locating the top jobs in the country.

Read next: our pillar guide to teaching English abroad jobs, and the two markets Irish teachers most often weigh against Vietnam — teaching English in Thailand and teaching English in South Korea. If you still need the certificate, start with our TEFL courses in Ireland.

Talk to a real person

No obligation and no sales pitch. Tell us what you want out of the year and we will tell you honestly whether Vietnam fits.

Thinking about teaching English in Vietnam but not sure how much you’ll earn, spend, or save? The good news is that Vietnam remains one of the most affordable countries in Asia, meaning TEFL teachers can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle while still putting money aside each month. Even on an entry-level salary, most teachers earn significantly more than the local average, allowing them to live well and save.

Of course, where you teach, how much experience you have, and whether or not you have an English or Education degree will all play a role in determining how much money you can earn. It should go without saying that lifestyle decisions are important.

You can have a fantastic time without breaking your wallet if you eat street cuisine and avoid tourist traps. Although housing is not usually included with teaching jobs, it is not difficult to find a place to rent. While modern condominiums are popular among ex-pats, you can save money and have a more immersive experience by renting in a local neighbourhood. It’s also possible that health insurance will not be included in your contract, so it’s critical to have enough coverage while you’re in the nation.

Because travel in Vietnam is inexpensive, teachers can spend their vacations seeing the nation, especially Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s ancient capital. Although public transportation is affordable, many ex-pats prefer to rent a motorcycle (about $50 per month), which allows them to travel around quickly for both business and pleasure.

Cost of living figures are supplied by numbeo.com, the world’s largest cost of living comparison site.