In recent years, Vietnam has experienced a surge of media exposure that has brought visitors flocking. Whether it be the moped-strewn Hanoian streets, or floating villages of Ha Long Bay, this once-closed country has earned a place on everyone’s bucket list.
If it wasn’t on your bucket list before, we bet it is now.
If you’re wanting to experience the aptly named “Land of Smiles” for yourself, there’s no better way than TEFL. Teaching in the schools of Vietnam is undoubtedly the best way to travel ethically: by giving back to the community that you wish to experience!
However, as you may already know, moving to Asia isn’t as simple as hopping on a flight—oh, how we wish it was! Before you can savor that first sip of Pho, or high-five your first students, there are requirements that need to be met.
Want to know more about how to teach English in Vietnam? We’ll tell you!
What are the perks of teaching English in Vietnam?
The teaching English in Vietnam requirements are numerous, but the perks of living there undoubtedly surpass them. Its growing popularity as a TEFL destination has created thriving expat scenes in each major city. Combine this with a nation keen to preserve their history, and you have the perfect fusion of western comforts and authentic Vietnamese culture.
There truly is something for everyone, whether it’s surfing the beaches of DaNang, or sipping cocktails atop Hanoi’s infamous Lotte Tower. Whichever suits you best, the low cost of living, paired with an enviable salary, makes for an unforgettable TEFL experience.
Are you tempted yet? In that case, let’s take a look at how to teach English in Vietnam, and zoom in on each requirement.
4 requirements to teach English in Vietnam
1. You’ll need both a degree and TEFL certificate
This you? If you want it to be, you better get that TEFL cert first.
This might seem like a stale point on which to start, but visa eligibility is the unavoidable first stage of any TEFL adventure. Having a valid degree in any subject, and evidence of a completed TEFL course, is perhaps the most important requirement of all.
Both will be sent to be apostilled (basically meaning they’ll be officially authenticated), a process which sounds intimidating, but is really just to check they’re real! Only once they’re stamped and verified by a solicitor, and by the Vietnamese Embassy in your home country, will it be time to scroll through skyscanner.
If you have yet to take the all-important TEFL course, you don’t even have to go as far as to open a new tab. GoAbroad has a plethora of resources—and have vetted each course provider so you don’t have to! Companies are ranked by rating, and easy access to reviews provides a level of transparency not always present on a provider's official website.
READ MORE: 7 Best TEFL Courses in Vietnam
2. Spend a good amount of time job-hunting
In Vietnam, learning the English language is taken very seriously, and its ability to open doors for students is widely recognized. On a stroll around Hoan Kiem lake in Hanoi, it’s not uncommon to have children and older folk alike approach you to practice their English.
The resulting demand for TEFL teachers is both a blessing and a curse when it comes to your job search. The initial relief at the amount of job advertisements yielded by a quick google search can quickly become overwhelming as you endlessly scroll.
While there are a lot of great companies out there, it’s important not to sign up for the first one you see! Instead, make a list of your own personal requirements (location type, contract length, housing allowance, etc.), and decide which company best aligns with them.
The following names are essentially BNOCS of the TEFL world in Vietnam, and also feature on the free GoAbroad program comparison tool.
- APAX English. While they may be the new kids on the block, APAX have received a steady stream of rave reviews, and it’s no surprise given their job perks. Expect to receive visa support, health insurance, as well as a hefty bonus, and the return of your flight money after completing your contract. While they don’t provide housing, APAX offers a generous monthly stipend to help their teachers cover the cost!
- What makes this company stand apart from the rest however, is the range of locations they provide. From the mountains of Sapa in the far north, to the sleepy beaches of Quy Nhon in the south, there’s an APAX school for everyone. They even provide a monthly bonus for choosing one of the smaller, more rogue locations.
- i-to-i TEFL. Catering for those beginning their TEFL journeys, a paid internship with i-to-i TEFL guarantees support every step of the way. Though there’s the small snag of a starting cost, this fee ensures an orientation week, accommodation throughout, and a ready-made group of fellow expats. If you’re fresh out of university, or have no prior teaching experience, an internship with i-to-i is the most comfortable way to start your adventure.
- Language Link. This prestigious company is certainly not new to the business, and has been providing Hanoi’s public schools with English teachers since the ‘90s. Gearing towards the seasoned TEFL teacher, working with Language Link is a great way to boost a longer-term teaching career. Though opportunities are limited to Hanoi, Vietnam’s buzzing capital is an ideal location to begin your life as an expat!
3. Cultural research is necessary
Life in Vietnam will be a little (or a lot) different from life at home.
Whether you’re in a taxi wobbling along a road the width of a bahn mi, or being hassled by street vendors, culture shock can hit us all. While it’s not one of the official requirements to teach English in Vietnam, researching the culture will help avoid culture shock, and enhance your experience. Travelling ethically means respecting the customs of each country—and Vietnam has plenty of its own!
Probably the most obvious and important preliminary research you can do will be on the Vietnamese language. After all, having no knowledge of a language’s basics can leave you feeling isolated further down the line.
As a starting point, consider that in Vietnam, greetings are modified to respect each age group. While your ability to say “Xin-chao” will please the locals, there are ways to maximize your politeness level. For example, when greeting an older man or woman, opt for “chao anh” or “chao chi”. If you’re talking to someone younger than you, a simple “chao em” will suffice!
As with most countries, regional dialect in Vietnam has a big impact on meaning, and this should be modified to your chosen teaching location. In the north, the “R” in a word is pronounced as “Z”, whereas in the south, an “R” is simply an “R”. Ordering egg fried (Com rang trung) in Hanoi? Make sure to pronounce “rang” as “zang”, to avoid dinner table confusion.
READ MORE: What to Know About Learning Vietnamese in Vietnam
4. Prepare for teaching younger children, and leave your ego at the door!
Bring your sense of adventure and your enthusiasm too.
As a new teacher on the block in Vietnam, you’ll be expected to teach a range of ages so that employers can gauge your individual style. This means you’ll have at least one class of younger learners per week which, while being super fun, requires an energetic personality.
Like other teaching English in Vietnam requirements, there are things you can do to prepare, and ensure you’re ready to face a class of sixty beaming kindergarteners! When building a repertoire of games to include in your lesson plan, think back to your own school experience and ask—what made learning fun?
Activities such as Simon Says are sure to make an unexpected comeback in your life. Similarly, the ABC song stands the test of time, and should be accompanied by dance moves...the sillier the better!
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Your TEFL adventure in Vietnam awaits!
If you’ve met the requirements to teach English in Vietnam! Congratulations—an unforgettable, defining experience is within reach. While Vietnam might not be the easiest country to enter, don’t be put off by the paperwork. Instead, see the requirements listed in this article as exciting stepping stones, leading to your next TEFL adventure. When, after seeing tantalizing snippets of life in Vietnam on your instagram, friends ask how you got there...you’ll know exactly what to tell them!
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