The most comprehensive guide to teaching English in Vietnam.

Vietnam: Country Overview

Geography

Vietnam is a lively little country that is nestled under China and borders Laos and Cambodia to its north and south-west.

Coming in at just over 300,000 square miles, Vietnam is about the size of Germany, in terms of land mass.

Since Vietnam is quite a long country, you will find the climate in the northern region differs significantly from the southern, where temperatures can soar as high as 40°C in the summer.

With only 20% of the country being lowlands, Vietnam offers distinct topographic variety, with plush hills colored by the intense tropical rainfall to unbelievable beaches with some of the best diving in the South China Sea.

Demographics

As of 2017, there are 96 million people in Vietnam, and over 50 different ethnic groups. That makes it one of the most diverse countries on earth. 

Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi are by far the largest cities in Vietnam, with 8 million and 7 million people respectively. However, there are four additional cities with over 1 million inhabitants each.

Fewer than 100,000 foreigners live in Vietnam, with Chinese, South Korean, and Japanese at the top of the list. Vietnamese is the official language of the country, with English being second-most popular.

Economy

Colonialism and war have afflicted Vietnam, but it has been slowly pulling itself out of the trenches and into the global economy.

With average annual GDP growth of 7%, there are projections that Vietnam will be in the top 20 economies by the middle of the century. Tourism and foreign investment account for nearly 40% of GDP, meaning a lot of their citizens will be learning more English.

Vietnam: ESL Industry

TEFL programs, Salaries, and class sizes

There are currently 505 ESL programs throughout Vietnam. These include language institutes, public schools, international schools, and universities. 

Salaries for TEFL teachers are paid by the hour, or monthly, depending on who you work for. Expect to earn anywhere between USD 1,000 to 3,000 per month, or USD 10 to 20 per hour, depending on experience.

Background requirements

The essential requirements for a teacher of English in Vietnam are as follows:

1. A post-secondary degree (3 or 4 years depending on where you're from)

2. Clean background (no criminal charges)

There are preferences, but not legal requirements for hiring which are:

1. Native English speaker (U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa)

2. TEFL certificate - 120+ hours in class (not online)

*Note: It is quite difficult to find official information regarding teaching requirements in Vietnam.

It seems there is still a bit of the wild west, in that it may be better to turn up and get a job rather than looking for one abroad.

That may also mean you could get a job without having the criteria mentioned above. However, you may find yourself being paid under the table, thus working illegally. Having read many sites, this doesn't sound uncommon, though I would always advise against anything that can get you in trouble abroad. Getting deported is no fun.

Hiring Season

The demand to fill ESL jobs in Vietnam is high, so you can typically find a position year-round.

Vietnam: Expat Life

Housing

Housing in Vietnam is relatively cheap (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh being exceptions).

Teachers are usually required to pay rent on their own. Depending on where you live in the city, expect rent to be between USD 250-500 per month.

Utilities (electric/water/gas/internet)

Approximately 1/4th the cost of rent will go toward utilities in Vietnam. USD 45 is average for a small, one-bedroom flat.

A lot of the time that will include the cost of internet, and if the internet isn't included, you can find decent plans for about USD 10-15 per month.

Transportation 

There are numerous ways of getting around Vietnam, all being pretty cheap. The most common way to get around is on a motorbike. You can often purchase a used bike for USD ±175 or a used scooter for USD ±300 and fuel is cheap, costing only USD 1.00 per liter.

Official taxis are very cheap (starting at less than USD 1.00) and available for inner and inter-city travel, as well as buses; though buses are notoriously late and cramped conditions are somewhat unbearable for foreigners.

Rickshaws, boats, and ferries are also commonly used as modes of transportation.

There are currently two major plans to build subways in Vietnam: one in Ho Chi Minh, the other in Hanoi. Delays have plagued both; the Hanoi project being explicitly wrought with accidents.

One of the subway lines in Ho Chi Minh is set to open sometime in the first half of 2018 - 18 months passed its initial deadline. 

Travel 

There are over twenty airports in Vietnam serving both domestic and international travelers.

Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi have the most extensive airports, serving direct flights to many Central and S.E. Asian countries, along with the U.A.E and France.

Public holidays

There are 12 public holidays per year in Vietnam, of which workers are entitled to observe at least ten. Foreign workers are also allowed one extra day to commemorate their own country's National Day. 

Banking

Foreigners wanting to open a bank account in Vietnam can do so comfortably. All it takes is your passport, a visa valid for six months or longer, and work contract.

You will typically need a minimum deposit to set up the account and will need to pay close attention to the fee schedule, as things like ATM withdrawals can often carry high transaction costs.

International banks like HSBC and Citibank have branches in the larger cities that can be linked to your account back home making remittance a bit easier.  

Visas

DL 

I would highly recommend getting a three-month, multiple-entry DL tourist visa if you're planning to travel to Vietnam before landing a job.

It is necessary to arrange a multiple-entry given you need to change your visa later or if you fancy seeing other parts of the region without having to do the visa process all over again.  

LD 

Once you have landed a job in Vietnam, you will most likely be granted an LD work visa. These visas last 12 months and come with a temporary residence card that lasts up to two years. 

Vietnam Schools for foreign children

If you are a parent considering teaching English in Vietnam, there are a variety of options for educating your child(ren).

Please be aware that many of these options are quite expensive, especially if you have an older child. Therefore, if you plan to teach English in Vietnam with one or more children, I recommend you apply for ESL jobs in international schools only. 

Pre-school/Nursery

Foreign babies and toddlers have a few daycare options in Vietnam. Expat parents can choose to hire a nanny (which many do if their child is between the ages of three and five) to help look after the child during the day.

Alternatively, you may choose to send your child to your child to a pre-school or international kindergarten with a prep school. These schools have very high fees.

For the schools who posted their fee schedule (many require you to contact them directly), tuition started around USD 10,000 annually for five full days of school per week. There are cheaper, local options, but those schools don't necessarily speak English.

Public schools

While not a popular option for expats, Vietnam's MOE does allow children of expats to enroll in local public schools.

They are required to have a command of Vietnamese equivalent to the level in which they will be taught, as well as excellent health both physically and mentally.  

International Schools

Most expats will choose (willingly or begrudgingly) to enroll their children in international schools.

As is the case 99% of the time, these schools come with hefty price tags. Most schools start north of USD 15,000 annually and can climb as high as USD 25,000 for the final years of secondary/high school. 

Healthcare in Vietnam

The healthcare system in Vietnam is akin to that of many developing nations. Public hospitals still suffer from lack of funding, under-qualified staff, and poor working conditions. 

If you end up at a public hospital in Vietnam, you will need to take someone who can translate for you.

Private healthcare in Vietnam is far more accessible for expats, as the doctors commonly train in Western medicine (and are often bilingual), as well as a higher standard of facilities and general care.

Public and private hospitals accept insurance plans, but it's imperative you source which hospitals allow which plans before purchasing one. Private hospital visits will cost substantially more than public ones, so make sure you do your insurance homework. 

*Note: OTC medicine is easy to get and plentiful (even things you may need a prescription for in the West, you might easily find over the counter).

Be aware, however, that some pharmacies run amok with outdated or untested medicine, so it is always important to check what you are buying. If you have a medical condition that requires frequent use of medicines, it might be best to work something out before you head to Vietnam. 

Vietnam has some great benefits and noteworthy challenges for teachers looking for ESL/EFL jobs. In my research, here are some critical findings:

Advantages of Teaching English in Vietnam

Salary

• Most salaries for teachers of English in Vietnam are pretty high in comparison to other ESL jobs in the regions. The range of choices in ESL jobs is also a benefit, as you can choose to do full or part-time and still make a decent salary.

Cost of living

• The cost of living in Vietnam is nearly half that of any U.S. state. Therefore, daily expenses won't be eating into your travel or savings budget!

Scenery

• One of the things that keeps popping up when people discuss why they love Vietnam so much is how beautiful the landscapes are. For this reason, thousands of tourists flock to Vietnam every year to do motorbike tours from the north to the south to digest everything this country has to offer.

Food

• Though this may seem strange to be on the list of benefits, many blogs and personal accounts of Vietnam nine times out of ten talks about the deliciousness of the food. If you're a foodie, this will unquestionably be a huge plus on your list. Even if you're not, both the cost and variety of fresh foods will warm your heart's delight.

Challenges of teaching English in Vietnam

Crime

• Petty theft is reported to be one of the most challenging things to deal with for both expats and locals alike.

• Many people reported feeling unsafe walking alone at night.

• Many reported worrying about having their house or car broken into.

Corruption

• Schools, government, and local (taxis, hotels, restaurants) have been known to single out foreigners and demand they pay much more for their services (either by tampering with paperwork - or meters in the case of taxis - or merely requesting more money or refusing change).

• Plenty of stories - both news and anecdotal - have been written about police corruption in Vietnam. If it makes you queasy to think you'll have to pay a bribe to a cop, Vietnam might not be the best place to start your journey abroad.

pollution

• Several organizations have labeled certain cities in Vietnam as the most polluted in South East Asia. That may not bother you (I lived in Beijing for over eight years, and I just got on with life), but if you're sensitive to environmental triggers like P.M 2.5 100+, Vietnam could be hard work. Other ecological pollutants like water, trash, and noise are also considerably high.

Culture Shock

• Unmistakably every country you move to will have a bit of culture shock, but expats in Vietnam report a more extended transition period for getting adjusted to the culture (and some report never breaking the barrier). Although more and more foreigners are moving to Vietnam each year, the number is still relatively small in comparison with other countries in the region.

• Colonialism and war still loom in the minds of many Vietnamese, and many travelers and expats have reported this to be the reason for the divide. In my research, Vietnam can be considered a "marmite" country - you either love it or you hate it.

Is Vietnam the best place to teach English abroad?

Based on the information above, out of 100 points:

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All conversion rates were performed using
http://www.xe.com/