5 of the Best TEFL Courses in Vietnam

Grab some pho, get your passport prepared, and get ready to start an adventure with the best TEFL courses in Vietnam! 

The Land of the Rising Dragon has become *the* place to teach English in Asia. Great salaries, amazing food, adventures waiting to be had, and stories that need to be discovered. With a government-backed scheme called the National Foreign Languages Project (which aims to have every student using English comfortably by 2020), Vietnam has a growing market for English teachers. 

You can take your TEFL course in Vietnam with the knowledge that there will be a job out there for you. Vietnam is one of the few countries increasing its number of native teachers, not reducing them.

Earning your TEFL in Vietnam will be a blur of sights, sounds, tastes...and skill-building, of course!

This country makes it easy for you to become a teacher. Arrive with a tourist visa to study a TEFL course. Once it has captured your heart (and you get your first job!), you can easily switch to a business visa. Whether you fall in love with the magic of Hanoi, the buzz of Ho Chi Minh, the laidback lifestyle of Hoi An, or the beaches of Da Nang, there are plenty of jobs available—and you will have no regrets about earning your TEFL in Vietnam.  

More good news? Completing your certification is affordable. With the great pay and low cost of living, you will quickly justify your expenses. There are not many countries where you can complete your course on Friday and start teaching on Monday! Once you begin working, you will be able to save up for that motorbike jaunt down the coast, and you won’t need to feel guilty about indulging in another bowl of pho. After earning your TEFL certificate in Vietnam, there will be worldwide opportunities, so you can see where the wind blows your ESL career.

Here are traveler favorites when it comes to providers of TEFL programs in Vietnam:

• International TEFL Academy
• Teach Explore Asia
• The TEFL Institute
• Australia Vocational Skills
• Ninja Teacher Academy

The best programs for completing your TEFL in Vietnam this year  

Editor’s note: This information on getting TEFL in Vietnam was accurate at the time of publishing. Please refer to each individual program for current data.

1. TEFL Certification & Job Search Guidance – ITA 

“Our practicum experience was taught by the most amazing Vietnamese ladies who I am still in contact with even to this day. I cannot wait to go back to HCMC and visit them. I feel like I learned so much in this program and I am currently using those skills in my position in the Peace Corps.”

• Where? Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh
• When? Year-round  
• Why? ITA was the winner of the GoAbroad 2018 People’s Choice award for best international education organization! You’ll find lessons based in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, great local and international connections for jobs after you complete certification, and lifetime support when you need to find a job. This company will be there for you at the start of your journey, and wherever you decide to take it after.

2. TEFL + Placement Program – Teach Explore Asia 

“XploreAsia ... They totally ROCK!!! From the International Program Manager to the guys in the office to the TESOL instructor ... They are the epitome of happiness. They are there for you & want you to succeed.”

• Where? Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh
• When? Year-round  
• Why? This company will not only give you a great grounding in your TEFL course in Vietnam, but also an unrivaled cultural education, which is a perfect introduction to your new home. Practical training is a priority with detailed feedback to ensure you make the most of TEFL in Vietnam. Teach Explore Asia will also place you in your first job and make sure the job and location suit you.

3. Level 5 TEFL Diploma – The TEFL Institute 

“The TEFL Institute course was clear, organized, and genuinely practical. The lesson-planning tasks and tutor feedback made me feel ready for real Vietnamese classrooms, and the employability team walked me through every step of the job search. I had a contract in Hanoi lined up shortly after finishing my course.”

• Where? Online TEFL for jobs in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and other major teaching hubs across Vietnam
• When? Year-round start dates, with flexible, self-paced study that fits around work or university
• Why? The TEFL Institute's government-regulated, 180-hour Level 5 TEFL Diploma exceeds the 120-hour standard. It's a career-focused course supported by a dedicated employability department and TEFL Explorer, an AI-driven platform designed for CV help, interview prep, and vetted job leads. Considered the gold standard in Asia, it prepares you for better-paid, long-term teaching roles in Vietnam and beyond.

4. Government-Accredited TESOL/TEFL – AVSE 

“Earning my TESOL through AVSE was certainly a great decision. Their staff and faculty are top notch and are able to thoroughly prepare you for a career teaching English as a second language. Their in-class curriculum, as well as real life teaching practice, are extremely valuable in preparing you to be a successful teacher.”

• Where? Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh
• When? Year-round  
• Why? One of the only Australian-accredited training schemes in Vietnam, your 2-4 weeks of intensive training is guaranteed to lead to a job, and with all the practical training provided, your career will start with a flying jump. Accommodation is provided, and the emphasis on socializing means you will have newfound friends to help you with your journey and to constantly remind you that TEFL in Vietnam was the best choice.

5. In-Class TEFL Course with Placement – Ninja Teacher Academy 

“I have had the best 4 weeks of my life, being in a classroom and learning to be the best TESOL teacher I can ever be. It’s so much fun to study as a team rather than online. This course has really helped me in so many ways.”

• Where? Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh
• When? Year-round  
• Why? Ninja Teacher Academy’s goal is to make sure all its teachers will be fun, engaging, and effective in the classroom—and they do this through an exciting and thought-provoking course. NTA is a family, and during your course, you will get to meet past students who you can ask questions and get advice from. At the end of the course, they work with you to find a job that suits your needs and teaching style.

Browse all TEFL courses in Vietnam

You’re ready to start your TEFL course in Vietnam!

Deciding to earn your TEFL in Vietnam is a decision that will pay in dividends.

Vietnam is a great location to study your TEFL and to see where the qualification may take you. Vietnam’s TEFL courses are affordable and allow you to meet requirements for work visas throughout the world, all while delivering a huge pool of job opportunities to your doorstep. Vietnam is also a great stepping stone to exploring and discovering Southeast Asian culture, and with plenty of easy trips to take during your time off that won’t break the bank, your friends will become envious of your adventure.

Gain vital classroom experience through your TEFL course in Vietnam, and you will be ready for whatever the world of ESL throws at you. What are you waiting for? Become an expert in pho and start your TEFL adventure in Vietnam!

Use MyGoAbroad to find amazing TEFL courses in Vietnam with ease

Rachel Taylor

GoAbroad Contributor

Rachel is always dreaming of her next adventure and has a travel wish list that never gets smaller. She is passionate about encouraging students to study abroad and has worked in universities persuading students that it is amazing opportunity (because it is!). After living in Malaysia and South Korea, Rachel is heading to China to see if one day she can have a conversation in Mandarin (wish her luck!).

View Full Profile