Where Should I Go to Teach English in Vietnam?

Are you wanting to teach English in Vietnam? Jobs are out there—all over the country! ☆ Expansive fields of rice as far as the eye can see, open to the enormous sky above. Beautiful and ancient crumbling temples and monuments. Bustling cities with life-threatening scooters. Street food that varies from delectable to bizarre, with many exotic foods in between. These are all experiences you can have when you travel abroad in Vietnam.

Choose wisely; your experience teaching English in Vietnam will vary depending on where you go!

As incredible as this all sounds, having only a few weeks there makes it impossible to truly experience the entirety of what Vietnam has to offer. The best way to see Vietnam is to stay long term! And if you’re staying long term, you might as well make a little money while you do it. That’s right, we’re talking about English teaching jobs in Vietnam.

What types of English teacher jobs in Vietnam are available?

When you teach English in Vietnam, jobs will be broken down into five categories: international schools, language centers, public schools, kindergartens, and private tutoring. All jobs require a bachelor’s degree, and 15-25 hours of work per week is the norm. Benefits such as accommodation, flight allowance, and health insurance vary wildly from company to company. That said, here’s the quick and dirty version!

International schools

Require teachers to be more than just TEFL certified
Allow teachers to plan their own curriculum and lessons
Have higher pay scale and paid holidays

Language centers

Exist everywhere in abundance, making them easier places to secure a job
Accept TEFL-certified teachers
Set curriculum for students, giving teachers less prep to do
Pay about average

Public schools

Have larger class sizes
Hire TEFL-certified teachers and non-native English speakers as well
Ask teachers to teach subjects other than just language

Kindergartens

Prefer TEFL-certified teachers
Have similarities to language centers and may actually be inside a language center
Offer morning hours

Private tutoring

Means teachers find their own clients
Is more supplemental than anything
Allows teachers to set their own hours

So...where should you teach English in Vietnam?

1. Ho Chi Minh City

As the largest city in Vietnam, with a population of over eight million people, this city is an obvious choice for teaching English in Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City is home to tons of amazing heritage, such as the Bến Thành Market, a centerpiece of the city where you can go to trade, barter, and find little treasures.

Teach English in Vietnam jobs are a dime a dozen in Ho Chi Minh, but the environment might not be for everyone.

While teaching here, you’ll also get to visit the gorgeous Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon. (Nope, not that Notre Dame!) This beautiful cathedral was built in the 1800s by French colonialists and is now a beautiful piece of the city’s architecture.

Ho Chi Minh City is so huge that there are tons of teaching opportunities here. Whether you’re looking to teach kindergarten or adults, Ho Chi Minh City has a teaching opportunity for you. The bigger city aspect of Ho Chi Minh means there will be more people in general, more diversity, and likely more expats for you to hang out with! Your social life will be booming with all the cool people you’ll meet in Ho Chi Minh City.

Recommended programs in Ho Chi Minh City:

English Teaching Jobs in Vietnam with International TEFL Academy
Teaching English in Vietnam Jobs with International TEFL & TESOL Training
Teach English in Vietnam with LanguageCorps
Browse all teach abroad jobs in Ho Chi Minh City

2. Hanoi

As the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is the second largest city in Vietnam, with a population of over seven million people. This makes for a bustling city, with scooters and pedestrians alike zipping around the city. If you can get past the busy crowds, you’ll find a beautiful city brimming with rich history.

Our book nerds out there on teach English in Vietnam programs can visit the Temple of Literature, the oldest university in Vietnam that was founded in 1010! You can also browse the “night market” for local specialties such as silk and bamboo. Hanoi is known as the “city of lakes” so you’ll have your pick of gorgeous lake scenery for afternoon walks and maybe even a picnic! The beautiful colonial architecture shows signs of the city’s time spent under French control in the 1870s. (It’s sometimes even dubbed the “Paris of the East”).

Even in the big city, the cost of living is fairly low here. With a little planning, you can save a ton — and still splurge occasionally on one of the many fancier restaurants. There are a variety of teaching jobs available in Hanoi, from teaching full-time in international, governmental, and private institutions to teaching part-time in language centers or providing private tutorials. No matter which route you go, Hanoi is a great pick for your teaching abroad experience!

Recommended programs in Hanoi:

3. Hue

Hue (pronounced hway) is home to ancient sites and buildings that will blow you away during English teaching jobs in Vietnam. Its Imperial City is surrounded by a moat, with numberless palaces and shrines inside. The center of the city is called the “Forbidden Purple City” and was reserved for the imperial family only.

If you’ve never heard of Hue, you better read up—it’s a GREAT place for English teacher jobs in Vietnam.

Although many buildings were destroyed during the American war, there is still tons to see here! There are many museums to help visitors sort through the entire Imperial City, from displaying ancient artifacts to reporting on restoration efforts. Before you know it, you’ll be spending all your free time from teaching exploring this incredible site!

Hue is big enough to have diversity and a good amount of teaching job opportunities. But it’s also small enough for lower prices, a more intimate feel, and less hustle and traffic. Teach English in Vietnam programs here are the perfect experience: a combination of exploring the city, relaxing on the beach, and making new connections and friends with foreigners and locals alike.

Recommended programs in Hue:

Discover Vietnam with APAX English
Teach English in Vietnam with Premier TEFL
Teaching English in Vietnam Jobs with TEFL Graduate
Browse all teach abroad programs in Hue

4. Hoi An

Hội An translates as "peaceful meeting place". With a name like that, it’s no surprise that this city is a top destination for teaching English in Vietnam. It’s also one of the most well-preserved examples of a 15th century Southeast Asian trading port, with buildings that blend local and foreign influences. This area is called “Old Town” for a reason. You’ll feel like you were transported back in time!

The Japanese covered bridge is another incredibly popular and beautiful attraction of the city. You can walk across it exactly like millions of people for hundreds of years have done. With such a rich cultural history, you’ll never run out of things to see and do.

Teaching here means taking part in the Hoi An Lantern Full Moon Festival each month (or moon cycle). To celebrate the Lantern Full Moon Festival, people exchange flowers, candles, and, you guessed it, lanterns. This quaint tradition has survived centuries and brings prosperity to residents. Hoi An is a comparatively smaller town, so there are definitely less crowds. Finding English teaching jobs in Vietnam in a smaller place will allow you to connect more intimately with the residents and neighbors too!

Recommended programs in Hoi An:

5. Can Tho

Can Tho is located in the Mekong Delta, also known as the “rice basket” of Vietnam. While still the 4th largest city in Vietnam, Can Tho has picturesque rural canals and rice fields galore. You’ll get the true Vietnam experience of rice field landscape when you teach English here.

Enjoy a slower pace of life in Can Tho when you teach English in Vietnam.

Beyond rice fields, Can Tho is also known for its rice paper! You can buy some at the city’s famous Cai Rang floating market. After an afternoon of shopping, try taking a relaxing tour of Quang Duc Pagoda, one of the largest and most active Buddhist temples in the city. You’ll get a taste of Vietnamese culture while taking in the incredible architecture—a true win-win scenario.

Because it is a smaller city, there are less expats here. This is perfect for immersing yourself in the language and culture. Teach English in Vietnam jobs are less varied in Can Tho, but still available and ready for you to snag them!

Recommended Vietnam teach abroad programs in Can Tho:

Discover Vietnam with APAX English
Teach English in Vietnam with International TEFL Academy
ESL Teachers Needed at a Premier English Center with ILA Vietnam
Browse all teach abroad programs in Can Tho

6. Da Nang

Da Nang is a super important “transportation hub” in Vietnam. Its coastal position makes it a perfect port city. While Da Nang isn’t a huge city, it’s sandwiched between Hue, with the Forbidden City, and Hoi An, with the Old Town sector, two important historical sites in Vietnam.

Da Nang has historical sites of its own as well! Located deep in the forest surrounding Da Nang is Mỹ Sơn, a group of abandoned Hindu temples that are over 1500 years old. It’s basically Indiana Jones, but hopefully with less temple of doom! Finding teach English in Vietnam programs here will give you plenty of free time to explore the amazing history in and around Da Nang.

As a smaller town, teaching jobs in Da Nang may fall outside the norm in terms of hours and student age. You might end up teaching evenings and weekends, with Monday and Tuesday as your days off instead. Either way, you’ll fall in love with the beauty of Da Nang. If you’re looking for a super laidback and friendly beach town to teach in, then Da Nang is for you!

Recommended programs in Da Nang:

ESL Teachers Needed at a Premier English Center with ILA Vietnam
Discover Vietnam with APAX English
Teaching English in Vietnam with TEFL Graduate
Browse all teach abroad programs in Da Nang

7. Nha Trang

Nha Trang is well known for being one of the most amazing coastal cities in Vietnam! Teaching English in Vietnam here means sailing, island hopping, scuba diving, water sports, and maybe even a weekend cruise if you’re feeling fancy.

You’ll love hitting up the beach after class when you teach in Nha Trang!

But the ocean-related fun doesn’t stop there! You’ll also have the chance to visit the Nha Trang Oceanography Institute, which houses thousands of types of sea life and is home to the largest oceanic library in Vietnam. If you need something more relaxing, try one of the many, many pristine white beaches in the area. All your worries will fade away as you lay on the warm beach and wiggle your toes in the sand.

If you’re feeling hungry, head over to one of the many street food carts where you can try endless varieties of fresh seafood. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try one of the city’s most famous dishes: bird’s nest soup. (No, we’re not kidding.)

As a gorgeous, coastal city, the teaching job market in Nha Trang is a bit competitive, so be prepared to work for a position here. The location is worth it! From spa treatments to trying local delicacies, teaching in Nha Trang will be an awesome adventure.

Recommended programs in Nha Trang:

[View ALL Teaching Jobs in Vietnam]

Next steps to teach abroad in Vietnam

Get TEFL certified. Even if it is not required, this is a wise investment for future ESL teachers. It will provide you with absolutely everything you need to prepare for the classroom (well, except for an ability to think on your feet!).
Adults, kids, private schools, public schools? Spend time considering the type of teaching environment you'd most like to be involved in. You can choose from a range of ages, goals (for example, Business English versus Conversational English), and institutions, from one-on-one tutoring to university employment.
Choose from the best teach abroad programs in Vietnam. Pay attention to past participants’ reviews, your school and organization reputation, location, and your ease of getting started as a paid worker. Some schools or providers may even provide contact info for ambassadors or past participants if you want the REAL dirt. Here are more considerations to make as you figure out how to choose the right teaching job for you. Pro tip: You can use MyGoAbroad to compare programs side-by-side.
Plan your finances. Sort out funding before you go to afford daily essentials and travel splurges (in addition to program costs and airfare). Do your research to have an idea of how to pay for teaching abroad.
Get prepared! You've done your research, chosen your program, saved up the money, and are entering your last weeks of life "at home" before you move abroad to find ESL teaching jobs. Well done! Here's our teaching planning timeline/preparation guide to help make this stage more fun and less stressful.

You’re ready to teach abroad in Vietnam!

Teaching English in Vietnam will be one of the greatest adventures of your life—so get ready!

Your adventures in Vietnam are just waiting for you! You’ll explore ancient ruins and bargain with street vendors. You’ll bike through rice fields and maybe even try bird’s nest soup. And you’ll have the opportunity to teach adorable children (or possibly adults!). Teaching English as a foreign language can be challenging and outrageous at times, but it’s also super rewarding.

Adventurous food, exploration, and rewarding work — what more could you ask for? No matter which of these amazing destinations you choose, you’ll have a blast teaching English in Vietnam.

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Originally Published on Aug 16, 2019

7 Best Cities for Teaching English in Vietnam

Jessica Rosa