A 6-Step Plan to Get a Job Teaching English in Vietnam in 2027

With breathtaking beauty and endless adventure, Vietnam has proven to be a popular market for English teachers seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience. With a low cost of living (which you can explore via Numbeo’s Vietnam Cost of Living Index), mouth-watering cuisine, natural reserves with over 1,800 miles of coastline, as well as mountain ranges, it’s easy to see why so many ESL teachers make Vietnam their home away from home.

How Do I Become an English Teacher in Vietnam?

To get a job teaching English in Vietnam, you must follow a number of steps, including researching your options, getting a TEFL certificate, preparing for your move overseas, getting a work visa, and applying for English teaching jobs.

How to Apply as an English Teacher in Vietnam in 2027

Now, let’s take a detailed look at the following 6 steps to help you teach English in Vietnam:

1. Call an Advisor and Begin Your Research 

Not sure where to begin? Download a copy of our free Teaching English in Vietnam ebook or give us a call at 773-634-9900 to speak with an ITA expert advisor to discuss your options and questions. All of our Admissions Advisors at ITA have spent extensive time living, traveling, and teaching English abroad. They will work with you throughout your research and will answer questions on up-to-date teaching market information, hiring procedures and timelines, average salary ($1,200–$1,800 USD/month) and living costs ($700–$1,300 USD/month), education requirements, visa eligibility, and more.

If you have already been assigned to an advisor, send them an email or give them a call to set up a time to talk. Ask them about our Guaranteed Job Placement Program in Vietnam, which will make the process a lot easier on your end once you have received your TEFL certification. 

To learn more about teaching English in Vietnam specifically, check out the following resources:

• Review ITA’s detailed Vietnam Country Profile
• The Requirements to Teach English in Vietnam
• How Much Can I Save & Earn as an English Teacher in Vietnam?
• Will I Face Age Restrictions Teaching English Abroad in Asia?

Additionally, check out the Vietnam section of our blog and video library, where you can discover hundreds of FAQs, Q&As, articles, and day-in-the-life alumni videos giving you a firsthand glimpse into what life teaching English in Vietnam could look like for you!

2. Enroll in a TEFL Course

Completing an accredited TEFL certification course will provide you with the skills and qualifications needed to teach English in Vietnam. This is a recognized qualification that thousands of schools and institutes in Vietnam and worldwide seek and require when hiring new English teachers. Even if you are a certified or experienced teacher, unless you have a degree in TESOL, you will still want to get TEFL certified.

Because many schools in Vietnam recruit and interview locally in Vietnam, most ITA students take our 170-hour online TEFL course and work with our Student Affairs advisors to secure positions. Let’s take a closer look at this option:

• 170-hour Online TEFL Course
  • Part-time: This course spans 11 weeks, offering you the flexibility to get TEFL certified while working or going to school full-time.
  • 20 Hours of Hands-On Live Practice Teaching: This course includes a mandatory live practice teaching component that you will be expected to complete to fully prepare you for the classroom.
  • One-on-one lifetime job search assistance is guaranteed, whether you just graduated or are looking for a teaching position a few years down the road. 
  • The online TEFL class is the most cost-effective way to earn your TEFL certification.

Looking for other TEFL certification options, like onsite courses in Asia?  Check out ITA’s complete index of online and in-person TEFL courses around the world.

3. Prepare for Your Job Search & Make Travel Arrangements

ITA’s Student Affairs team will provide you with the resources, expertise, and guidance you need to get a job teaching English in Vietnam. You will team up with your own personal Student Affairs Advisor, who can help you with the following:

• Preparing your resume and cover letter;
• Resources to connect you with recruiters, job listings, and recommended schools in Vietnam looking to hire;
• Visa information, processes, and much, much more.

Most schools in Vietnam conduct face-to-face interviews, meaning you will need to be on the ground and in Vietnam to interview for jobs. Although rare, some schools will interview you in advance from your home country over Zoom.

If you plan to interview for teaching positions in person in Vietnam, you will need to make any necessary travel arrangements, including flights and accommodations. Teachers typically enter Vietnam on a tourist e-visa (which can be applied for via the Official Vietnam E-Visa Portal).

4. Apply for Positions and Interview

Vietnam continues to be one of the strongest ESL markets in Asia. Driven by ongoing government education policies—including long-term initiatives strengthening English proficiency across public schools—there is continuous demand for qualified English teachers year-round. The most common job types include private language schools, public schools, and private tutoring.

Private Language Schools: The majority of ESL jobs are in private language centers, which cater to learners of all ages. Teachers can expect smaller class sizes, afternoon/evening and weekend hours, and working schedules of 25–30 hours per week. Full-time language center teachers in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City earn around $1,200–$1,800 USD per month (30M–45M VND).

Public Schools: Public school positions offer daytime working hours and competitive hourly pay (around $25/hour). Classes are larger (30–40 students), making them energetic and fast-paced environments for teachers working with children from kindergarten through high school.

Remember to keep your options open. Interview at a handful of different schools and compare the offers you receive. As part of ITA’s lifetime job search guidance, our Student Affairs team can review your contract to ensure your offered salary aligns with pay averages in your region.

5. Sign a Contract and Make Visa Arrangements

Once you’ve accepted a job offer and signed your contract, your employer will assist you in applying for a legal **Work Permit** issued by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs. Once issued, your Work Permit allows you to secure an official **Work Visa** and a **Temporary Residence Card (TRC)**, which grants legal residence and work authorization for 1 to 2 years (renewable up to 5 years).

Key Document Requirements for Your Vietnam Work Permit & Visa:

• Valid Passport: Must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay.
• Passport Photos: Recent photos ($4\text{ cm} \times 6\text{ cm}$) against a plain white background with a neutral expression.
• Official Work Permit: Applied for by your employer once your contract is finalized.
• Legalized Degree & TEFL Certificate: Your Bachelor's degree and TEFL certificate must be apostilled and legalized by your home country's authorities (e.g., via your embassy or consular services such as the U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Vietnam).
• Clean Criminal Background Check: Issued within six months from your home country.
• Health Check: Conducted at a designated hospital in Vietnam.

Important note: The name on all your documents must match your passport exactly. If there is a discrepancy (e.g., Sarah M. Smith vs. Sarah Marie Smith), you will need an official affidavit from your country's Embassy confirming you are the same person.

For a detailed breakdown of the visa process, read Visa Know How: Vietnam Work Permit & Business Visa.

6. Begin Your New Job! 

While it may seem like the adventure has already begun, that was just the beginning! You’re about to put all that training into action and help change lives! Congrats and best of luck with your English teaching job in Vietnam.

Frequently Asked Questions About Teaching English in Vietnam (2027)

Can I teach English in Vietnam without a degree in 2027?

No, a Bachelor's degree is legally required to teach English in Vietnam. Under Ministry of Labour regulations, holding a 4-year Bachelor’s degree in any subject (legalized/apostilled) is mandatory to receive an official Work Permit.

How much can English teachers save in Vietnam per month?

Teachers typically save $500 USD or more per month in Vietnam. With average monthly salaries ranging from $1,200 to $1,800 USD (30M–45M VND) and monthly living expenses averaging $700 to $1,300 USD, teachers comfortably cover living costs while saving money.

What visa do I need to work legally as an English teacher in Vietnam?

You need an official Work Permit and Temporary Residence Card (TRC). Most teachers enter Vietnam on a tourist e-visa, secure employment on the ground, and work with their sponsoring school to apply for a Work Permit and TRC (valid for up to 2 years).

How far in advance should I start document legalization?

Begin legalizing your documents 6 to 8 weeks before arriving in Vietnam. Obtaining a clean criminal background check and state/federal apostilles for your degree and TEFL certificate requires several weeks of processing lead time.