Vietnam is one of the most popular TEFL destinations, and for good reason. The excellent lifestyle, magnificent food and unbelievable scenery mean it’s ideal for either a short stay, or a long career in the industry. But exactly how much money can you earn there? Let’s find out!
Typically, TEFL teachers in Vietnam earn VND 23M-45M ($1,000-2,000) per month, mostly in language academies. Public and International schools pay between VND 34M to 55M ($1,500-2,400) a month. Private classes make VND 341K-795K ($15-35) per hour.
These are good salaries for any TEFL country, let alone one with cheap living costs. But before you get the next flight to Ho Chi Minh City, make sure you understand all your options.
Searching for the perfect TEFL destination with the best earnings? Compare countries around the world with my free resource: How Much Do TEFL & TESL Teachers Make? Countries compared.
Options and earnings for TEFL teachers in Vietnam
Vietnam really takes English as a foreign language seriously. It’s taught widely in public schools, and there’s high demand for language academies across the country.
Language academies are where the majority of TEFL teachers will find employment. Public schools and international schools are also common places to work, especially for those with more qualifications and teaching experience.
Finally, there’s always the option of private classes which are a great way to supplement your income.
| Earnings Source | Per Hour ($) | Hours Per Week | Per Month ($) | Annual Estimate ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Schools | 14-17 | 30-40 | 2,000-2,400 | 24K-29K |
| Public Schools | 15-21 | 20-30 | 1,500-2,100 | 18K-25K |
| Language Academies | 10-20 | 20-30 | 1,000-2,000 | 12K-24K |
| Private Classes | 15-35 | 20 | 1,200-2,800 | 14K-34K |
These salaries are more generous than a lot of developed European countries like Spain and Italy.
And, even better, the cost of living is much lower, too. While the country may be getting more expensive as quality of life improves, you can still expect to pay less than $1,000 a month for everything. Outside the city, living frugally, you can get that number down to $500.
This gives the potential for substantial savings. Or plenty of disposable income to travel around Asia.
Tax will eat up some of your earnings, mind. Income tax for most TEFL teachers will be 20%. If you’re a non-resident, this is the flat rate on all income tax, and if you’re a resident, there’s a progressive rate which will probably work out at a similar amount. Find out more at PWC.
Visas and work permits aren’t a problem either. You can enter the country on a business visa and get a work visa within three months, provided you have an employment contract.
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The Vietnamese academic year is similar to western countries. It begins in mid-August and runs until May with a mid-year break in January. Be warned, public and international schools start early (7 a.m.) and finish quite late – around 4 or 5 p.m.
How much do TEFL teachers make in language academies in Vietnam?
The main source of employment for TEFL teachers in Vietnam is the wealth of language academies. Big names like Wall Street English and the British Council are there, but most are local independent businesses. ESL Base has a great list of all of them – click this link to go there now.
TEFL teachers beginning their careers can expect to earn a minimum of VND 23M ($1,000) per month for a 20-30-hour week, with city jobs paying upwards of VND 34M ($1,500). More experienced teachers can earn up to 45M ($2,000) for similar hours.
Even at the lower end of the scale, you can still earn enough to live comfortably. And with the higher salaries, you could be saving over $1,000 per month!
Class sizes will be manageable (usually less than 20). You may have groups of young children, teens, or adults, all with varying levels, so expect to give a variety of lessons.
How much do TEFL teachers make from international schools in Vietnam?
International schools pay the highest fixed monthly wages for TEFL teachers in Vietnam. VND 45M-55M ($2,000-2,400) is the typical range.
You’ll have to work more hours than in the other jobs, though. Teaching time may be as low as 20 hours, but you’ll have to spend at least 10 hours a week on the premises planning, marking and doing administrative work.
Class sizes are manageable. International and private schools have a diverse selection of children from all different nationalities and backgrounds.
Be warned – competition is high. You’ll need a few years of experience and some strong qualifications, ideally a teaching license, or a CELTA or Level 5 TEFL certificate as a minimum.
How much do TEFL teachers make from public schools in Vietnam?
Monthly wages at public schools are roughly VND 34M-48M ($1,500-2,100). This is comparable to international and private schools, but with fewer hours, so a better hourly rate.
The difference in pay is minor, but the teaching experience is not the same.
The number of students in your class can be overwhelming – often 50 or more. And you may not have a teaching assistant to help you out. This is offputting for many TEFL teachers. If you don’t have much experience with class management, maybe avoid this type of job.
Some universities offer similar positions. With more mature students, the classroom experience may be less daunting, and the pay is about the same.
How much do TEFL teachers make from private classes in Vietnam?
Rates for private classes in Vietnam are highly variable. In rural areas, you may be looking at figures as low as 227K ($10) per hour. Meanwhile, in the cities, an experienced teacher with a group of business students may charge five times that amount – 1.1M ($50).
Generally, you can earn VND 341K-795K ($15-35) per hour.
This is a great source of income. However, most teachers won’t be able to go full time as a private tutor. Like in many countries, you can’t get a working visa without being employed.
That doesn’t mean you can’t do any private classes, though. Use them to supplement your income. If you did 3 hours of private classes a week, charging VND 341K ($15) per hour, you’d earn an extra VND 4M ($180) per month. That’s enough to pay for a nice holiday every few months!
Conclusion
Generous salaries and low living costs, combined with a wonderful lifestyle, put Vietnam at the top of many TEFL teachers’ destination lists.
In fact, if I were to move to any Asian country and work as a TEFL teacher, it’d be my choice.
But if Vietnam doesn’t work for you, read my article on how much you can earn in nearby Indonesia.
Why not head over to my resource: How Much Do TEFL & TESL Teachers Make? Countries compared to see what countries around the world can offer?
