What is the salary of an English teacher in Vietnam? Learn how much you can earn teaching English in Vietnam and understand salary benefits, savings, cost of living and expenses.
Vietnam is an excellent choice for teaching English overseas if you are not only hoping to have a very authentic teaching experience but earn a good salary and put some cash away! While you may not make quite as much as South Korea or China or find a job with as many benefits, Vietnam still comes in pretty close as a top destination where even first-time English teachers can make and save great money.
What is the Average English Teacher's Salary in Vietnam?
English teachers in Vietnam should expect to make between $1,100 USD to $1,500 USD per month if they work for an English language school. Some teachers can make upwards of $2,000 USD a month but this will depend on your credentials (College degree, TEFL certification, prior teaching experience, and being a native English speaker), the school you're working for, and the city you're teaching in.
Some schools in rural areas have been known to pay more to attract more and higher quality ESL teachers. Other schools will also offer their teachers certain benefits that help cut down their monthly costs such as housing allowance, contract bonuses, or even financial assistance with the work permit.
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Benefits & Expenses When Teaching English in Vietnam
Here's a brief financial summary for living and teaching English in Vietnam:
| Salary & Expenses | English Teacher in Vietnam Details |
|---|---|
| Salary | $1,100-$1,500 USD per month |
| Savings Opportunity | $500 USD or more per month |
| Average Cost of Living (itemized below) | $500-900 USD per month |
| Rent | $200-$250/person per month |
| Utilities | $30 |
| Food | $110-$300 |
| Social Activities | $100 |
| Transportation |
$20-$50 |
| Travel | $200 |
| Phone | $10 |
Cost of Living
The average cost of living per month for an average English teacher is approximately $500 USD -$900 USD per month. A few teachers who live in more luxury accommodations spend around $1,000 USD or more per month.
Overall, the cost of living is relatively low. It depends on what city you live in and how much you choose to spend on certain expenses.
Savings Opportunities
As you can see, a high salary plus a low cost of living equals a high savings potential! Many teachers in Vietnam generally save around $500 USD or more a month. To earn even more money, some teachers will take on private students looking to learn English or will even teach English online a few hours a week to pad their pockets.
Other Ways to Save Even More Money While Living in Vietnam
- Eat and drink like a local
- This means finding local markets to grocery shop & avoiding western style supermarkets that cater to expats
- Eat at local restaurants - banh mi, pho, etc.
- Bargain when you’re shopping
- Buy a motorbike
- Rent a local apartment and share with another teacher, expat or local.
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Posted In: Teach English in Vietnam, Teach English in Asia, Money & Finances, Teach English in Vietnam Must Read
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