Teach English in Vietnam
No government scheme, but a straightforward legal path and some of the best cost-of-living-to-savings ratios in Southeast Asia, backed by large, established language-centre chains.
No centralized programme — but a clear, codified work-permit route
Vietnam doesn't run a government placement scheme, but the legal framework is unusually well-defined: Decree 219/2025/NÇ-CP, effective 7 August 2025, governs foreign workers including teachers. You'll need to be 18 or older with a bachelor's degree, a health certificate less than 12 months old, and a clean criminal record check less than 6 months old. Most teachers qualify under the "Expert" category via either two years' teaching experience with any bachelor's degree, or a bachelor's degree plus a 120-hour TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate — no experience needed if you're certified. Work permits run up to two years and are renewable, and there's no nationality restriction in the law itself, though employers commonly favor "native speaker" passport countries in practice.
- Age 18+
- Bachelor's degree in any subject
- Health certificate, under 12 months old
- Criminal record check, under 6 months old
- Either 2 years' teaching experience OR a 120-hour TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate
What you can expect to earn
The market runs on large, established private language-centre chains — ILA (700+ expat teachers across 70+ centres), VUS, and Apollo English among them — plus international schools and agency-placed public-school posts. Typical pay is $1,200–1,800/month for 15–25 teaching hours a week, with international schools paying considerably more. Cost of living is low enough that genuine savings on this salary range are realistic, not just marketing spin.
| Employer type | Local currency | Approx. GBP |
|---|---|---|
| Language centre (ILA, VUS, Apollo) | $1,200–1,800/mo | £945–£1,420 |
| International school | $2,000+/mo | £1,575+ |
Where to find real openings
Which TEFL Global course fits?
A bachelor's degree plus a 120-hour TEFL certificate is one of the two routes that satisfies Vietnam's "Expert" work-permit category — no prior teaching experience needed. Our Level 3, 120-Hour TEFL/TESOL Course (£169.50) meets that requirement directly and is exactly what chains like VUS ask for.
Researched July 2026 from official program pages and named recruiters where cited above. Government programs, visa rules and salary bands change — always confirm current details on the official site before applying.
FAQs about teaching in Vietnam
No — there’s no centralized scheme like Korea’s EPIK. Eligibility runs through the work-permit law itself (Decree 219/2025/NÇ-CP), and hiring happens through private language-centre chains, international schools, and agencies.
A 120-hour TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate is one of two routes that satisfy the “Expert” work-permit category (the other being two years’ documented teaching experience) — you only need one, not both.
ILA, VUS, and Apollo English are the largest established chains, each hiring expat teachers directly and each publishing their own requirements online.