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teach english in vietnam · 2026 guide
Teach English in Vietnam (Degree Usually Required)
Vietnam has proper demand, loud cities and a social scene that does half the friendship admin for you. But the legal route is paperwork-heavy: degree, TEFL, police check and authenticated documents.
FAST MARKET · REAL PAPERWORK
Degree: usually requiredTEFL: 120 hours+Pay: roughly 27–48m VND/monthEmployer sponsorship needed
the quick answer
Requirements at a glance
| Degree | No degree | TEFL | Pay | Hardest part |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usually required for the standard legal work-permit route | Not a reliable legal route; ignore recruiters selling shortcuts | 120-hour certificate commonly expected; Level 5 is safer | Roughly 27–48 million VND monthly for many first roles | Authenticating the degree, TEFL and police check correctly |
how long it actually takes
Visa & paperwork timeline
- 12–8 weeks
Finish your TEFL
Online 120-hour or Level 5 study, done at your own pace. Most people finish well inside 60 days.
- 21–4 weeks
Order your criminal record check
Home-country police check (ACRO, FBI, RCMP, AFP or equivalent). FBI checks with a channeler are usually fastest; postal routes are slowest.
- 31–4 weeks
Legalise degree, TEFL and police check
Apostille or authentication in your home country, then Vietnamese embassy/consular legalisation if your employer asks for it.
- 41–4 weeks
Apply and interview
Language centres often interview quickly by video and can make offers in days once your documents look real.
- 53–8 weeks
Work permit filed by the employer
The school submits your legalised documents plus a health check. You cannot legally teach until this is issued.
- 61–4 weeks
Visa and temporary residence card
Work visa sponsored by the employer, then a temporary residence card after arrival and registration.
timings are typical, not promised — queues move.
pack the folder
Documents you need
Bachelor's degree certificate
Original, plus notarised copies. Legalised for use in Vietnam.
TEFL certificate
120-hour minimum; Level 5 reads stronger. Often needs the same legalisation as the degree.
Criminal record check
Home-country police certificate, usually issued within the last 6 months.
Health check
Done at an approved clinic, normally after you arrive in Vietnam.
Passport photos and CV
White-background photos, a one-page CV and scanned copies of everything in cloud storage.
TEFL requirements in Vietnam
Most first-time language-centre applicants need a completed bachelor's, a recognised 120-hour+ TEFL and a clean criminal record. Your degree subject usually matters less than the completed award.
- → Passport with enough validity
- → Authenticated degree and TEFL
- → Criminal record check
- → Employer-sponsored work permit
Vietnam teaching visa (any passport)
A school normally sponsors the correct work visa and work permit. Do not treat a tourist or business visa as permission to teach. Ask who pays, who files, and when the permit arrives.
How much English teachers earn
A broad first-job range is about 27–48 million VND a month. International schools can pay more but expect stronger qualifications. Compare guaranteed hours, tax, housing, holidays and unpaid gaps—not one spicy headline number.
Can you teach with no degree?
Some adverts say yes. That does not make the standard work-permit route legal. If you have no bachelor's, Cambodia is the cleaner regional option to research instead of gambling on dodgy paperwork.
searched at 2am. answered.
People also ask
Can I teach English in Vietnam without a degree?
Not through the usual legal work-permit route. Some employers advertise shortcuts, but a job advert is not immigration permission.
What are the TEFL requirements for Vietnam?
A recognised 120-hour+ TEFL is commonly expected alongside a bachelor's and criminal record check. Employers may set higher standards.
Do UK citizens need a visa to teach in Vietnam?
Yes. A UK passport does not give work rights; a sponsoring employer normally handles the work visa and permit process.
How much do English teachers earn in Vietnam?
Many first roles sit around 27–48 million VND monthly, but schedules, tax and benefits change the real value.
Can I teach English in Vietnam with no experience?
Entry-level jobs exist. A solid TEFL, clear demo lesson and professional application matter, but no employer or timeline is guaranteed.
Is a 120-hour TEFL enough for Vietnam?
It is the common starter level. Level 5 can be a safer choice when employers are comparing similar first-time applicants.
What documents do I need to teach in Vietnam?
Expect passport, degree, TEFL certificate and criminal record check, often authenticated or legalised to the required standard.
Where is best to teach English in Vietnam?
HCMC has the deepest job pool, Hanoi has a huge teaching scene, and Da Nang is popular but usually more competitive.
How do I get a TEFL certificate in the UK before teaching in Vietnam?
Take an accredited online TEFL course UK employers recognise — a 120-hour certificate is the standard entry level and a Level 5 reads stronger. The same accredited online courses are open worldwide, including the US, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Most people finish inside 60 days, then apply for Vietnam roles.
the course call
Level 5 is the safer bet.
For a degree-required market, Level 5 is the safer recommendation. A credible 120-hour TEFL remains the starter option. Course acceptance and work-permit rules can change, so check the employer and official Vietnamese guidance.
Want the lighter start? A credible 120-hour course is still the entry route. Level 5 simply gives your application more weight.