TEFL Jobs in Vietnam: Job Market Overview
Strong, steady demand — mostly private language centres, concentrated in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, hiring year-round.
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Private language centres
The largest employer category by far — chains like ILA, Apollo English, VUS and Wall Street English hire year-round and account for most of the open TEFL roles in the country.
International schools
Smaller in number and far more competitive. Usually want a bachelor's degree in education or a subject area, sometimes a teaching licence — but pay the most.
Public schools
Hired directly or via placement agencies, tied to the academic year (August–December is the main hiring push).
Private tutoring
A common cash-in-hand top-up to a main teaching job rather than a standalone career route.
Pay by employer type
| Employer type | Monthly range | Local currency |
|---|---|---|
| Private language centres | $1,000–$1,800/month | ~25–45 million VND |
| Public schools | $1,200–$2,000/month | ~30–50 million VND |
| International schools | $2,000–$5,000/month | ~50–125 million VND |
| Private tutoring | $12–$25/hour | ~300,000–625,000 VND/hr |
See our full TEFL salary in Vietnam page for cost-of-living and savings context alongside these figures.
Hiring seasons
Public schools hire heaviest from August to December, matching Vietnam's August–June school year. Language centres and private tutoring hire year-round, with a smaller secondary bump ahead of the new academic quarter.
Where the jobs are
Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have by far the most jobs and the biggest expat communities. Da Nang is a smaller, fast-growing, noticeably cheaper second-tier market. Hai Phong, Can Tho and Bien Hoa see less competition for the jobs that do exist.
Typical contract length
Most language-centre and public-school contracts run 9.5–12 months and are usually renewable. Shorter 4–6 month contracts turn up for maternity cover or summer-intensive courses.
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Where are most TEFL jobs in Vietnam located?
Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have by far the most jobs and the biggest expat communities. Da Nang is a smaller, fast-growing, noticeably cheaper second-tier market. Hai Phong, Can Tho and Bien Hoa see less competition for the jobs that do exist.
What kind of employers hire TEFL teachers in Vietnam?
Private language centres: The largest employer category by far — chains like ILA, Apollo English, VUS and Wall Street English hire year-round and account for most of the open TEFL roles in the country. International schools: Smaller in number and far more competitive. Usually want a bachelor's degree in education or a subject area, sometimes a teaching licence — but pay the most.
When is the best time to apply for a TEFL job in Vietnam?
Public schools hire heaviest from August to December, matching Vietnam's August–June school year. Language centres and private tutoring hire year-round, with a smaller secondary bump ahead of the new academic quarter.
How long are typical TEFL contracts in Vietnam?
Most language-centre and public-school contracts run 9.5–12 months and are usually renewable. Shorter 4–6 month contracts turn up for maternity cover or summer-intensive courses.
Which type of employer pays the most for TEFL jobs in Vietnam?
Private tutoring roles typically pay the most, at $12–$25/hour — see our full pay-by-employer-type table above and our Vietnam salary page for the complete breakdown.