Teaching Jobs in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

It was very easy to go through the application process, complete all the steps, and be ready to volunteer in Costa Rica. All the support we received throughout the process made sure that we felt safe, prepared, and were making an impact on the local community. I would highly recommend IVHQ, and hope to do future volunteer missions with them.

I had an amazing experience with International Volunteer HQ in Ecuador. Everything was well organized from the beginning, and I felt supported throughout the entire program. The local team was welcoming, helpful, and always available when needed. I especially appreciated the opportunity to immerse myself in the local culture, meet wonderful people, and contribute through volunteering. It was an unforgettable experience, and I would definitely recommend IVHQ to anyone looking for a meaningful experience abroad.

I had always wanted to try teaching abroad ever since college. After spending 10 years working in the states, my wife and I decided that we wanted to try something new. Travelbuds was with us every single step of the way. They helped me with documentation, logistics, school-matching, and most importantly, they assured me everything was going to be okay. I’m so very thankful.

TravelBud responded to this reviewJuly 07, 2026

Hi Jonathan, Wow, your review absolutely made our day! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your story with us. Making the decision to transition after 10 years of working in the States is a huge milestone, and we are so incredibly honored that you and your wife chose TravelBud to be a part of this new chapter. Stepping out of your comfort zone to pursue a long-held dream takes real courage, and we are thrilled to hear that you felt supported every single step of the way. Hearing that we could provide that peace of mind and assurance means the world to our team - that is exactly why we do what we do! We are so excited for you both as you immerse yourselves in the culture, connect with your students, and make unforgettable memories in Vietnam. Enjoy every single moment of this life-changing experience! Warmly, Charlotte and the TravelBud Team

My experience in Hua Hin teaching children was truly amazing. From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed and supported by a wonderful team. Special thanks to Hannah Yule, Tukkie Khudseesai, and Noah, the coordinator of my teaching team, who made the experience even more enjoyable and well organized. Teaching the children was incredibly rewarding, and the environment was positive, friendly, and motivating every day. The accommodation provided was very comfortable, and the food was also excellent throughout my stay. Overall, this was a memorable and enriching experience that I would highly recommend to anyone interested in volunteering and teaching in Hua Hin.

I spent three weeks volunteering at Salariin Kampuchea Learning Center in Siem Reap, where I helped teach English to younger students and supported the development of their social media presence. It was one of the most enriching experiences I’ve ever had. Some days were more challenging than others—adapting to a new environment and finding ways to communicate across cultures. But what I’ll carry with me, more than anything, is the deep sense of connection I felt with the people. I can confidently say I’ve grown and learned so much, and that’s something I’ll always be grateful for. Living and working within the local community gave me a complete perspective shift. I was struck by their warmth and generosity, and the quiet strength with which they face life. From the very beginning, I felt welcomed. The children, the staff, and my host family made me feel included from the start, making it easy to feel at home throughout my time there

The programme insured that whilst getting my teaching experience, I learnt loads about the history of the children in this area. It has been the most eye opening experience and I am so grateful to have been part of it, I will be back!! The team were super supportive and ensured we were safe at all times. This was my first time solo travelling and I felt confident to flourish and be adventurous in the beautiful South Africa!

"I love life in Vietnam. I love teaching, the low cost of living and the lively social setting of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). I earn £1000 a month (after tax) for 80 hours work per month, and can save £200+ every month. There are tons of expats, so you can make lots of Western friends quickly - but you also can make Vietnamese friends too. The people (especially in Saigon) are very friendly and it's easy to find people who will help you practice your Vietnamese! I have lots of free time to explore new hobbies such as photography and playing guitar, as well as spending time with friends. I would definitely recommend the program and living in Vietnam"

The most amazing this about coming to Vietnam so far is the people. Every day from the first moment I step out into the street - I feel cared for by the people of Vietnam. A local will go out of their way to come over and help you order street food, bring you a napkin, offer a gift or simply smile and say hello. They are always happy to have a conversation , sit with you, share their food. It happens over and over. I never feel alone here because the sense of community is so great and I always feel included in that. Travel Bud did an exceptional job at setting the tone for this welcoming , caring , warm experience before I even touched the ground. I feel like I was seamlessly passed from the helpful hands of TravelBud over to the people of Vietnam and I couldn’t feel more at home.

I volunteered along with my girlfriend to teach English at Emerging Voices in Cartagena, Colombia from Nov-Dec of 2019. The experience overall was amazing. We got to work with lots of different groups of people, from young children living in a poor neighborhood to teenagers learning skills related to the hospitality industry, to adults whose English was very good, but they just lacked the confidence to use it. I also enjoyed the ability to visit other projects at Emerging Voices such as the project to feed and spend time with the homeless and the sports development project that worked with kids living in a Drug Rehabilitation Centre. One of the highlights was definitely meeting all of the other volunteers. Programs like these bring out great people and we had a ton of fun hanging out with people coming from all over North America. My other highlight was definitely the food! Sophie was our local Colombian chef and she made the most amazing meals every day. I was always excited for mealtime! She also kept the house impeccably clean and even made our beds every day; what an amazing lady! I also enjoyed working with Monica who is the program owner. She is a very inspiring woman and a kind soul. We happened to be there during a transitional time for Emerging Voice so that meant we had lots of different volunteers, but also lots of different coordinators. We had three different teaching coordinators during our 4-week stay. One consistent throughout though was Lao. He worked with the childcare program, but he was the only constant in the volunteer house for the entire time that we were there and he made our experience that much better with his kindness and light-hearted nature. The last thing that I really enjoyed was the location of the volunteer house. It was located in the safe neighborhood of Crespo; it was only a 5-minute walk to the beach and only a 10-minute cab to downtown so it was truly perfect! All in it was an amazing experience and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking to give back and also push themselves a little out of their comfort zone!

My husband and I made the huge decision to pack up our comfortable lives in England to teach English in Vietnam in 2018. Neither of us had experience travelling alone, moving abroad or of South East Asia even. Naturally nervous by the move, we searched online for our best options for completing our in class TESOL and job placement in Vietnam. After much deliberation, we opted for TravelBud's program in Hanoi. From the moment we contacted TravelBud, we received ongoing support from experienced ESL teachers. All of whom had made the same decision to teach abroad at some point themselves. As a result, the advice and support provided was genuine and given with our best intentions at heart. Knowing what to prepare can be extremely confusing. However, with the help of the TravelBud team, we didn't feel lost once. We had support with visas, flights, accommodation and packing, amongst other things. All of our questions were answered promptly and thoroughly. When we arrived in Hanoi, we were greeted by a member of the TravelBud team and introduced to our course mates. Over the following month, we completed an orientation and in class training. All of which prepared us for our new positions as teachers in Vietnam. I would suggest this program to anyone wanting to make the move to the stunning and incredible country of Vietnam. The support provided will enable you to start your new life as a teacher with confidence!

This was my first time going abroad and I wouldn't have had it any better than doing this journey through Travelbud! Travelbud guided me through the whole process from organizing my documents to arriving and settling in Vietnam. They attended to all my needs and questions. When I got to Vietnam, Travelbud had set up a really good program where I got to make friends with other teachers who were also taking the program and we got to experience the Vietnamese culture together through activities such as sightseeing, martial arts, trying Vietnamese food and going to the markets. Within two weeks I felt really settled in Vietnam all because of Travelbud's guidance and constant assistance. Travelbud does not disappoint. They were quick to set up interviews with really good schools and guided you through the process too. There is a whole world out there and Travelbud gives you the opportunity to see it. I would highly recommend Travelbud as they do their best to meet your needs.

I volunteered in the Teaching Program with IVHQ in Muizenberg, Cape Town, South Africa for 2 weeks with my girlfriend. For the accommodation, I was placed with 4 other boys in the room where I had my own bed and closet space. A girls room was next to us and each of the boys and girls had separate bathrooms. Also a kitchen and common living room were available. On the weekdays, we were given 3 meals per day from breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The food was carbohydrate heavy and sufficient for the stay as enough food was available for everyone with specific diet requirements cooked accordingly upon request. The housekeeper was very polite as well. For a volunteering program, it was really more than you need and a great place to stay. For the volunteering program, we were placed in Steenberg Primary School assisting a teacher with 30 Grade R kids. The kids were very cute and super fun as they are hyper all the time. We would help them with the class assignment, play with them in the playground, and assess them basic color matching and mathematics numbering exercises. The classroom had the basic amenities needed for the school year. We even left our mark with a painting on the classroom wall! It was an amazing experience and one that we will definitely go through again. A driver from the program picked us up and dropped us off back to the accommodation every school day. He was usually always on time. For the city, there are abundant activities to choose from. We were lucky to have done shark cage diving, a safari, and skydiving as main attractions. Other activities were hiking Table Mountain through the Skeleton Gorge trail, visiting the beautiful city of Cape Town and exploring it, surfing, visiting Boulders Beach where penguins are found and the most South Western point of the African continent in Cape of Good Hope as well as many other activities. This experience is truly one that will be missed and I hope to have a similar one next time!

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ] responded to this reviewMay 09, 2019

Hi Ralph, it is great to hear from you and that you really enjoyed your time in South Africa. It is always pleasing to hear that you got along with the children so well and took part on some awesome tourist activities! Thanks for volunteering with IVHQ! Acacia - IVHQ Program Manager.

I've had an amazing time volunteering with IVHQ (and the green lion) for two weeks in the Philippines. The location is remote (2h from Puerto Princess City), but that adds to the experience of disconnecting completely and helping the local community of Tigman Village. There are a few different programs, and therefore quite some other volunteers - nice to meet people for sure. I've taught English, Maths and Science at the local school in Tigman Village, at grades between 2 - 6. The kids are great; they love your attention and are eager to learn.

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ] responded to this reviewNovember 21, 2018

Hey Colin, thanks for taking the time to provide your review of the Philippines program. It's awesome to hear you embraced the remoteness of the program and enjoyed disconnecting from the world. I hope you can volunteer with IVHQ again in the future. Sean - IVHQ Program Manager.

I've had so many interesting and awesome experiences since coming to Vietnam. Taking the TESOL course prepared me so much for teaching and I've met a lot of great people, and the students are so excited to learn. This program has definitely been worth it!

I was skeptical at first but I must say that this was one of the best decisions that I have ever made! I have met so many great people and only after a month have made so many memories. Would totally recommend to anyone who is thinking of making a positive life decision.

My experience went beyond expectations. I enjoyed the people I met and will look forward to meeting them again. The instructor was super fun and the were super helpful. The hostel was clean for the most part but living there for a month grew tiresome. Overall, I enjoyed my time and would recommend this experience to any adventurer.

TravelBud were extremely helpful when giving me information about teaching aboard in Vietnam. They were very quick to response to issues that I had and the knowledge and insight that there gave me was second to none in terms of the steps I need to take to come over here. One issue that I have is with the costs, there are a lot of costs which aren't documented such as legalisation fees from the embassies , i spent an extra $200 because of these unhidden costs not documented by TravelBud and I believe that these costs should be documented. As soon as we paid the upfront costs this is when TravelBud came forward about the other costs, I feel it would be more important if all the costs are up straightaway

TravelBud responded to this reviewOctober 04, 2018

Hey Max, thanks for the honest review!<br/><br/>You make a valid point about the documentation costs, until now they've been tough to include because they vary so wildly dependent on when and where you apply and what you need. Some degrees need authentication in some circumstances, some need translations, some need the translations authenticated etc. Sometimes expediting fees need to be paid and the costs of services vary by country and provider.<br/><br/>What we're attempting to do is get ballpark figures for each country/service and we'll be including this in the budgeting table on our website for each program. I'm sorry that these weren't explained to you up-front, I've already spoken to our enrollments manager about this to see how we can rectify it going forward.<br/><br/>Thanks again for taking the time to review!

Helpful and lots of guidance. Made the adjustment easier and met new people and got to know a certain neighborhood in a big city. Loved Saigon and the help I got along to getting here. Looking forward to me future in Hanoi. Glad I had the course because teaching has a lot more to it than I expected and now I feel well-prepared.

TravelBud was a great agency throughout! From the beginning we were supported by Grace. Grace helped us with anything we needed to know and was very approachable and cared about us. After the interview process we were in contact with Saskia. Saskia is an amazing person, she is always there to help and keep us up to date with latest updates for our process. Even while we were already doing our course, Saskia kept in contact! TravelBud is great and they are amazing at what they do, making it easy for everyone to live their dreams.

From the get go TravelBud assisted and showed us genuine support. From Understanding about the different placements, to what we should pack and preparing me for my experience abroad. I have felt safe and knew I was with a reputable company. A big thank you to TravelBud and their placement partner.