Requirements to teach English in Vietnam
- A bachelor's degree — needed for the work permit.
- A 120-hour TEFL certificate — expected for the work permit.
- A criminal background check from your home country.
- A health check, done at an approved hospital in Vietnam.
- Legalised documents. Vietnam is not part of the Apostille Convention, so your degree, TEFL and background check typically need consular legalisation through a Vietnamese embassy.
How much do English teachers earn in Vietnam?
| Job type | Typical monthly pay (2025–2026) |
|---|---|
| Language centres and public school programmes | About US$1,100–2,000 |
| International schools | Higher, with stricter requirements |
A one-bedroom apartment often costs about US$250–500 a month, which is why Vietnam is popular with teachers who want to save. Language centre hours are often evenings and weekends.
Work permit and temporary residence card, step by step
- Get a job offer from an employer licensed to sponsor foreign teachers.
- Legalise your documents at home: degree, TEFL and background check.
- Enter on the visa your employer advises — usually an e-visa or an employer-sponsored business visa.
- Do your health check at an approved hospital in Vietnam.
- Your employer applies for your work permit, valid for up to two years.
- Get a Temporary Residence Card (TRC) so you don't need to keep renewing visas.
Verify first: Vietnam updated its work permit rules in 2025. Ask your employer's HR team for the exact current document list before you start legalising anything.
When do schools in Vietnam hire?
Hiring runs year-round, and it's busiest before the school year starts in August–September.
Where to find teaching jobs in Vietnam
- Vietnam Teaching Jobs — language centre and public school programme roles across the country.
- Dave's ESL Café and ESLbase — international boards.
- Facebook groups for Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
- Walk-ins — still effective. Dress smartly and bring printed CVs.
Avoid any listing that promises "no degree, no TEFL, no visa needed" — in Vietnam that means working illegally, and you carry the risk, not the school.
How much money to bring
Plan on a buffer of about US$1,800–2,500 to cover your deposit and first month's rent, food, transport, the health check and any remaining legalisation fees before your first payday.
Frequently asked questions
How much do English teachers earn in Vietnam?
Typically about US$1,100–2,000 a month at language centres and public school programmes. International schools pay more but have stricter requirements.
Do I need a degree to teach English in Vietnam?
Yes. A bachelor's degree is needed for the work permit, along with a 120-hour TEFL and a background check.
Do my documents need to be legalised for Vietnam?
Usually yes. Vietnam is not part of the Apostille Convention, so your degree, TEFL and background check typically need consular legalisation through a Vietnamese embassy.
What is a TRC in Vietnam?
A Temporary Residence Card. Once you have a work permit, the TRC lets you stay without repeatedly renewing visas.
Updated October 2026 by Teacher Francois. Salaries and visa rules are typical ranges reported for 2025–2026 and can change — always confirm with your employer and the official embassy or immigration website before you pay for anything.