TEFL Salary in Vietnam: What Teachers Actually Earn
Last updated: 2026-08-05 · Data source: aggregated live research (Numbeo, employer job boards), see sources below
$1,000–$2,200/month typical, roughly 3–5x the local median wage, with real savings potential once rent and living costs are covered.
Typical TEFL salary 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 |
Figures are ranges aggregated from named sources below, current as of 2026-08-05. Always confirm current pay directly with the specific employer.
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Get Started with TEFL Institute →Cost of living for teachers
Numbeo puts a single person's monthly costs (excluding rent) at roughly $447 in Hanoi and $483 in Ho Chi Minh City. A 1-bedroom flat runs $300–$440 in Hanoi or $279–$595 in HCMC depending on how central you want to be — so a realistic all-in monthly budget in either city sits around $750–$900. Da Nang and other second-tier cities are consistently reported as 15–25% cheaper again, though we haven't pulled an exact current figure for it yet.
Savings potential
On a typical $1,200–$1,800/month language-centre salary, that leaves $400–$1,000+ a month in savings after rent and living costs — more again at the international-school pay tier. How much you actually save comes down to lifestyle: how central you live, and how much you spend on travel and going out.
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FAQs
How much do TEFL teachers earn in Vietnam?
$1,000–$2,200/month typical, roughly 3–5x the local median wage, with real savings potential once rent and living costs are covered.
What is the cost of living for a TEFL teacher in Vietnam?
Numbeo puts a single person's monthly costs (excluding rent) at roughly $447 in Hanoi and $483 in Ho Chi Minh City. A 1-bedroom flat runs $300–$440 in Hanoi or $279–$595 in HCMC depending on how central you want to be — so a realistic all-in monthly budget in either city sits around $750–$900. Da Nang and other second-tier cities are consistently reported as 15–25% cheaper again, though we haven't pulled an exact current figure for it yet.
Can you save money teaching English in Vietnam?
On a typical $1,200–$1,800/month language-centre salary, that leaves $400–$1,000+ a month in savings after rent and living costs — more again at the international-school pay tier. How much you actually save comes down to lifestyle: how central you live, and how much you spend on travel and going out.
Does Private tutoring pay more than other TEFL employers in Vietnam?
Yes — private tutoring roles typically pay $12–$25/hour, the highest tier on our Vietnam salary table.