For those who are considering teaching in Vietnam it is compulsory for you to have gained a degree where a subject was studied for a minimum of four years - although the subject itself can be anything and doesn’t have to be within an English topic, however if it is then this will greatly add to your desirability for prospective employers. Another credential non-waiver able is a fairly obvious one and is that you must be a fluent English speaker although you do not have to be a native English speaker. Native English speakers are sometimes more preferable for teaching in Vietnam but this tends to be within establishments who can be more selective such as those in inner cities or within the private side of teaching.
Teaching in Vietnam provides the highest pay bracket throughout Southeast Asia and those in more affluent institutions can expect to earn around $3,000 per month, with an average rent on an inner city apartment being around $500 per month, this leaves a lot of disposable income. Wages and living costs will be lower the further you venture out of the cities and more into rural regions, but at the same time a person's credentials and attributes considered desirable enough for hire will also reduce. If you have a lower experience, no teaching qualifications and are under the age of 21 then looking further away from the cities will prove more successful when finding employment for teaching in Vietnam but many positions will even be voluntary roles which although will benefit you in the long term being a fantastic thing to add to your resume, they’re not going to pay off at the time so this may not always be an option.
The more you do to prepare for a role in teaching in Vietnam the better, this means things like thoroughly looking into the Visa required and how to obtain it - visas can take many weeks to arrive so always make this your first thing to tick off the list. You would be wise to also research the accommodation and culture of your desired area before you arrive, migrating to live and work abroad can be a daunting thing but one where doubts can be stopped with a little research. Knowledge is key, without fully understanding how life could be for you when teaching in Vietnam it could turn into a short lived and not an enjoyable experience.
The world is becoming increasingly global and many different nationalities mix, especially in the big cities throughout the Western world. It is important that these cities have communities that can able to understand and tolerate each other so harmonious relations can be maintained. Living in another country and being immersed in their culture whilst teaching in Vietnam not only helps us to appreciate the similarities which we share with other people but also celebrate and respect the differences too. Within any industry, there are opportunities to link with people from other countries and cultures. When you get to know another culture, you learn more about yourself and appreciate your own culture and those around you.
A Buddhist celebration that takes place in the north of the country is the Huong Pagoda festival and it plays an important role in the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people. This is divided into two parts, the ceremony and the entertainment. At the ceremony monks and Buddhists offer incense, flowers, candles, fruit and perform dances. Following on from the ceremony there is often a boat cruise along the Yen Stream or even climbing on top of Huong Tich Mountain which will bring fulfilment and great success in life. If you’re teaching in Vietnam, this is a great thing to attend. When attending the festival it is essential to taste the bamboo shoot, Sang vegetables and grinding roots, which are all dishes, linked to this festival.
Living and working in a local community whilst teaching in Vietnam will help to become fully immerse in the language and customs of the area. You will learn to communicate with local people who perhaps are unable to speak English at all. The need to integrate with the community will naturally help you to pick up words and phrases to make your life easier. The local community will appreciate your efforts to learn their language and this will help make the whole experience even more special and valuable. As you experience learning a new language yourself, you will be able to empathise with your pupils and better appreciate the challenges they face when learning English.
There are plenty of places to visit whilst you’re teaching in Vietnam and the surrounding countries of South East Asia, which will keep you occupied. You will find the people to be friendly and welcoming, just as many other South East Asian countries. The scenery is stunning and the food is tasty and affordable. Local restaurants offer meals at very low prices compared to other countries. Vietnam has a tropical climate, which means ‘summer-like’ conditions all year round. The pollution in Vietnam’s city is much less than other cities in South East Asia and it is an incredibly safe country with very low crime rates.
There’s a lot to consider, and looking at things without professional and knowledgeable help on your side can be extremely daunting. You’re not alone though and there are many reputable sources of advice and assistance for all migrants, with more specialist agencies in place to help those specifically looking into teaching in Vietnam. These are places who will cover every avenue beneficial to living and working abroad such as how to get the correct medical care, how to interact accordingly with the locals and explain what is and what isn’t illegal - as this is likely to differ greatly from the laws in your own land.
Vietnam is one of the world’s most beautiful countries, and this is likely to have aided your decision when confirming your choice of teaching in Vietnam. It is a country with a wide and varied history and many traditional customs and cultures, you’re looking at teaching in Vietnam but you will also be living here so it is extremely wise to have some background knowledge. This will help you with your transition to life teaching in Vietnam and also help you to be welcomed by the locals who will be your neighbours making the life experience a harmonious one instead of awkward.
To conclude, teaching in Vietnam is something that you should fully research, to be fully aware of how the life change is likely to be for you. You can find genuine assistance, advice and guidance from a reputable source such as immigration specialists or even searching the Internet to find advice from those who have been there and done it themselves.
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Teaching in Vietnam
Moderator: Joe
Re: Teaching in Vietnam
This is such a good guide of sorts without having to spend hours and hours researching it online. Thanks for compiling it all online. Was looking at researching a new country to teach in next year. You've just given me a potential. Cheers!