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vietnam, the practical answer

Which TEFL course is best for teaching in Vietnam?

VIETNAM
Teacher with students in a classroom on a teaching placement abroad
2026 update

the short answer

For most no-degree Vietnam language-centre jobs, an accredited 120-hour online TEFL is the entry ticket; a Level 5 course strengthens your CV if you can spend a bit more and want better centres. CELTA is unnecessary unless you're aiming for premium international schools later. Get certified before you land, and confirm each centre's current minimum hour requirement directly.

TEFL UK

Low-cost 120-hour certificate, or an affordable Ofqual-regulated Level 5. Code 44e36182 = 10% off.

Go to TEFL UK →Read review

The TEFL Academy

A regulated Level 5 with tutor support and a pass guarantee.

Go to The TEFL Academy →Read review

Bridge TEFL

US-accredited 120-hour course with a personal tutor and university credit.

Go to Bridge TEFL →Read review

Not sure which? Compare all three side by side. We may earn a commission — how we make money.

Key facts

Minimum hours checked100-120 hours, most centres
AccreditationMust be from a recognised accredited provider
Online study named on certUsually fine for language centres
Teaching practice requiredRarely required, helps at bilingual schools
Best default course120-hour accredited; Level 5 for stronger CV
Time to certify1-4 weeks typical
Rejected certificatesSub-100-hour, unassessed, no-name providers

step one, always

Get the certificate before you apply

Get the accredited TEFL course

We may earn a commission if you buy through this link. You still choose the course.

typical, not guaranteed

Your timeline

  1. 1

    Choose course

    Pick an accredited 120-hour or Level 5 online course.

    1-2 days
  2. 2

    Complete coursework

    Self-paced; finish before you start applying seriously.

    1-4 weeks
  3. 3

    Receive certificate

    Processing time varies by provider; ask before you buy.

    3-10 days
  4. 4

    Apply to centres

    District-based centres in Hanoi, HCMC or Da Nang respond fastest.

    1-3 weeks
  5. 5

    Demo lesson

    Most centres want a short taught demo, not just an interview.

    3-7 days
  6. 6

    Start work

    Contracts often begin at term start or right after Tet.

    same week
Start the 120-hour / Level 5 course

What Vietnamese language centres actually check

Vietnam's language-centre market is the most accessible in Southeast Asia for non-native and no-degree teachers, but that doesn't mean anything gets accepted. Recruiters in Hanoi's Cau Giay district or HCMC's District 1 typically ask for proof of an accredited course of at least 100-120 hours, and they will ask to see the certificate, not just take your word for it.

What they rarely care about is whether the course was taken online — Vietnam is one of the more relaxed markets on this point compared with Japan or Korea. What they do notice is a certificate from a provider they've never heard of with no assessed component, which reads as a red flag during document checks for the work permit.

120-hour vs Level 5 vs CELTA for Vietnam

A 120-hour accredited TEFL is genuinely sufficient for the bulk of Vietnam's language-centre jobs — it's the baseline most job ads list and the one most first-time teachers hold. Level 5 (Ofqual-style regulated) courses go further: they carry more weight with bilingual schools and better-paying centre chains, and they signal you took the process seriously if you're competing against other applicants in a saturated city like Ho Chi Minh City.

CELTA is overkill for the Vietnam language-centre market. It costs roughly ten times more, includes observed teaching practice you won't be asked for here, and mainly pays off if you plan to later move into Europe or Middle East hiring pools. For Vietnam specifically, save the money and put it toward Level 5 instead.

What gets rejected, and what it costs you in time

Cheap, unassessed certificates — the kind sold with no coursework, no quiz, no minimum hours listed — get quietly rejected at document-check stage, usually after you've already accepted a verbal offer. That's the worst time to find out, since it can delay a work-permit application by weeks while you retake a proper course.

Sub-100-hour courses cause the same problem. If a course doesn't clearly state its accredited hour count on the certificate itself, don't assume it will pass; ask the centre directly before you pay for anything.

what people actually ask

FAQs

Is a 120-hour TEFL enough for Vietnam?

Yes, for most language-centre jobs a 120-hour accredited course is the standard minimum and gets accepted at the majority of centres. Bilingual and international schools may prefer Level 5 or a degree-holding candidate, so check the specific listing before committing to one course level.

Does an online TEFL get accepted in Vietnam?

Generally yes — Vietnam's language-centre market is more relaxed about online study than Japan or South Korea. What matters more is that the course is accredited and states its hours clearly on the certificate, not whether it was taken in person.

Is Level 5 worth the extra cost for Vietnam?

It's worth it if you want access to better-paying centres or bilingual schools, or if you're competing in a crowded market like Ho Chi Minh City. For a first job at a typical local language centre, a 120-hour course usually does the job.

Will a cheap TEFL certificate get rejected in Vietnam?

Unassessed, sub-100-hour certificates from unknown providers are the ones that get flagged, usually at work-permit document stage. Stick to an accredited course with a clear hour count and some form of assessment to avoid this.

How long before I can apply for jobs in Vietnam?

Most people finish an accredited course in 1-4 weeks, then start applying immediately. Add another 1-3 weeks for interviews and demo lessons, so budget roughly a month from starting your TEFL to a job offer.

keep going

Read next

Vietnam TEFL overview →CELTA vs Level 5 TEFL →Teach English in Ho Chi Minh City →
Get certified — then apply →