Graduate Interview: George Teaching in Vietnam

In this article, we’ve had a chat with George from the UK, who successfully launched his teaching career in Vietnam after earning his TESOL/TEFL certificate. He has shared his best tips on how you too can start your teaching journey and prepare for life abroad.

Teaching in Vietnam provides you with an exciting opportunity to develop your skills and grow as a teacher, all while exploring a new, exciting way of life. With a high demand for English teachers, affordable cost of living, and the chance to experience a rich and welcoming culture firsthand, Vietnam is a great place to launch your teaching career.

Let’s hear George’s best tips on how you too can launch an English teaching career in Vietnam!

George’s interview:

💬 How long have you been teaching English, and how did you get started?

“I have been teaching since October 2024, so around 6 months. I travelled around Vietnam for 3 months, where I met a lot of teachers who were living here with a great quality of life. They gave me advice on what I needed and how to get started. I then moved to Vietnam and had a week to get settled and find an apartment. I had my first job within 15 days by joining Facebook groups and posting in the group chats.”

💬 Where do you currently teach, and what is your role?

“I teach at a Korean school in Hanoi, Vietnam. I am an English teacher but I also teach physical education and themed sessions. It is a private school and I teach ages 5-7.”

💬 How did you find your current teaching job?

“I had already joined some Facebook groups when I travelled here, but I didn’t start actively looking or enquiring until I moved into my first apartment in Vietnam. I know there are a lot of companies hiring teachers with good qualifications before they arrive in Vietnam, and they also offer help with the transition and process, so either option is good.”

💬 What motivated you to pursue teaching young learners?

“I wanted a challenge, and I have always loved working with young learners, so it was naturally the best option for me. I was open to different age groups but the best offer I had was for a primary position. Shortly after starting the job, I quickly learned that working with children is always exciting, as they “keep you on your toes” and they make the job very enjoyable and rewarding.”

💬 What made you choose Vietnam as your teaching destination?

“I chose Vietnam because I wanted to travel here a long time ago but had some personal issues that caused me to cancel the trip. Vietnam is very cheap, it’s a beautiful country and the people are very friendly and welcoming. Native speaking teachers are also in demand here. I hadn’t been to Asia before, but after travelling here and finding all of this out, I made my decision!”

💬 How did you research and prepare before moving to Vietnam?

“The best way is to speak with teachers who are already teaching in the location you choose. It’s also best to speak to teachers of the same nationality, as the process can be slightly different depending where you come from. The information you find online can either be incomplete, excessive, or even outdated, so speaking to real teachers with experience is always the best option.”

💬 Could you tell us a little about your first week in Vietnam?

“My first week in Vietnam was amazing. I started in Hoi An, and it’s my favourite place I’ve been in Vietnam so far. I struggled with the food a little, but it won’t be long before you find things you like, and there are always great Western options available if you’re in the right areas.

Riding a motorbike in Vietnam can seem a little daunting, but once you get out there, it’s an incredible experience. Personally, I feel more unsafe crossing a busy street than actually riding on it!“

💬 Could you tell us a little bit about the visa & work permit process?

“Your employer should provide the visa and work permit for you once you have a full-time contract. Sometimes they cover the whole cost or they may only cover a percentage of the cost. You just need to make sure you have the relevant documents which include:

• 120-hour TESOL/TEFL certificate (legalised at the Vietnamese embassy in the country where it was issued)
• Bachelor’s degree or higher (legalised by your countries consulate and also the Vietnamese embassy, then translated and verified in Vietnam)
• Criminal record check (in your home country as well as Vietnam)
• Valid passport, health certificate
• Work contract from your employer

The process and location that you can legalise your documents varies depending where you’re from. For UK residents you can’t use the embassy in Vietnam it needs to be done in your home country.”

💬 What kind of teaching qualifications do you possess?

“I hold a 120-hour TESOL/TEFL certificate. A bachelor’s degree or higher is also needed to teach in Vietnam. The degree can be in any subject; it doesn’t have to be related to education, although some international schools require it to be.“

💬 Would you recommend others pursue English teaching certifications like TESOL/TEFL?

“Yes! If you want to teach in Vietnam then I HIGHLY recommend it. Personally, I found the classroom management, lesson planning and preparing for lessons most beneficial.“

💬 How did you go about setting up the practical aspects of life there?

“It’s useful to try and get a feel for the price of accommodation in your chosen area before arriving. Facebook groups are then the best place to find accommodation. I also recommend watching lots of YouTube videos on teaching.

It can take a while to find a bank that will let you set up an account without a temporary residence card and other documents, but as I mentioned previously, speaking to other teachers and expats is the biggest source of help you can find. Agribank is a good option with a very fast setup process. Sim cards are very cheap, and for transport you just need the Grab app. “

💬 Could you give us a glimpse of what a typical teaching week looks like for you?

“I arrive at work at 09:00am. I gather materials, review my plans, and discuss any changes or themes for the day. I teach a 1x 30 min lesson at 09:40, and then 2x 1 hour lessons before lunch at 12:10. I resume teaching at 13:00 where I have 2x 30 min lessons.

I leave work at 2pm, then ride home, get changed, and go to meet friends at a bar or cafe. After that, I go for dinner. Vietnamese or Korean BBQ is my favourite. I often like to ride to places near Hanoi, like Ba Vi national park. I enjoy nature so I try and get out in it as much as I can.

On Saturdays, I have one class from 08:40am until 11:45am, so I usually choose Saturdays to go on motorbike trips, motocross or paragliding training. I also sometimes cover classes in the afternoon/evening, but the salary at the school I work at is well above average, so it’s not always necessary.“

💬 What’s the best thing about living and working as a teacher in Vietnam?

“The best thing about living and teaching in Vietnam (apart from the students) is the community of expats and teachers! Everyone is so helpful and welcoming, as we’re all in the same boat. I love how everyone has been through almost the same thing, so there is never a dull moment or boring conversation.

If you ever need help, you know there is a huge community of like-minded individuals ready to offer advice whenever you need it, and most of them will go out of their way to help you. I was quite shy and had social anxiety before I came, but teaching here and interacting with the community has helped me so much!“

💬 What advice would you give to teachers considering moving to Vietnam?

“Join as many Facebook groups as you can, including ones for jobs, accommodation and general chats relevant to your chosen location. Connect with as many teachers as you can, and make sure you have all the relevant documents before coming here.“

💬 What’s next in store for you?

“I would like to build my experience so that I can start my own online classes, allowing me to have freedom of location while still being able to work. Eventually, I would like to maybe open my own English center or start a service to help people with the process of moving to Vietnam and starting their own teaching careers, as well as finding accommodation and everything else they need, with continued support throughout their journey.“

Conclusion

George’s story shows that with the right mindset, an accredited TESOL/TEFL certificate, and the confidence to explore new, exciting experiences, it’s entirely possible to launch a rewarding teaching career abroad. Vietnam offers exciting opportunities for new and experienced teachers alike, and George’s journey is a great example of where it can lead.

If you’ve ever considered launching a teaching in Vietnam, now is the perfect time to take the first step and start your teacher training.