>>>Read more: Vietnam visa procedure at the airport: a complete guide

Why do expats have to pay taxes in Vietnam? 

Expats have to pay different types of taxes in Vietnam (Source: Internet)

Expats have to pay different types of taxes in Vietnam as per Vietnam’s laws and regulations. Tax obligations for expats include personal income tax, corporate income tax, value-added tax (VAT), and other taxes. The taxes are applied to income earned from Vietnamese sources, including wages, salaries, and business activities. By paying taxes, expats are contributing to the development of Vietnam’s economy, which helps to improve the quality of life for everyone.

>>>Read more: Re-issuance of work permits for foreigners: how to do?

What documents do expats need to pay taxes in Vietnam?

What documents do expats need to pay taxes in Vietnam? (Source: Internet)

Expats living and working in Vietnam need to obtain a Temporary Residence Card and register with the local tax office. With these documents, they will need to provide evidence of income, such as wage slips, employment contracts, invoices, and receipts. Additionally, they will need to provide a Vietnamese bank account or details of an overseas bank account, as well as a valid passport and identification documents.

Where can expats go to pay taxes in Vietnam?

Expats can go to the local Tax Authority Office in the district where they are residing to pay taxes in Vietnam.

Types of taxes expats have to pay in Vietnam

Income Tax

Income tax is the most common type of tax expats have to pay in Vietnam (Source: Internet)

Income tax is the most common type of tax expats have to pay in Vietnam. The amount of income tax you have to pay is determined by your tax residency status which is based on the amount of time you spend in the country. If you are a resident in Vietnam, you are liable to pay income tax on all your worldwide income, however if you are a non-resident, you only have to pay tax on income earned in Vietnam.

The income tax rate for residents of Vietnam is progressive, with rates ranging from 5% to 35%. For non-residents, the rate is 20%. There are a number of deductions and exemptions available for both residents and non-residents, so it’s important to familiarise yourself with these to ensure you are not paying more tax than you have to.

>>>Read more: Differences between Apostille and Consular Legalization

Value-Added Tax (VAT)

Value-Added Tax (VAT) is a form of indirect tax on the sale of goods and services in Vietnam (Source: Internet)

Value-Added Tax (VAT) is a form of indirect tax on the sale of goods and services in Vietnam. As an expat, you may have to pay VAT on some purchases, such as food, clothing and entertainment. The standard rate of VAT is 10%, however, there are some exemptions, such as food and medical expenses.

>>>Read more: Overstay Your Visa in Vietnam: What Should You Do?

Social Insurance and Health Insurance

As an expat working in Vietnam, you are required to pay Social Insurance and Health Insurance (Source: Internet)

As an expat working in Vietnam, you are required by law to make social insurance and health insurance contributions. The social insurance contribution rate is 10-20%, and the health insurance contribution rate is 3-4%. Both contributions are paid by the employer, and the amount is based on the employee’s salary.

>>>Read more: Open A Bank Account in Vietnam: a detailed guide

Property Tax

Property tax is a tax on the ownership of real estate in Vietnam (Source: Internet)

Property tax is a tax on the ownership of the real estate in Vietnam. The tax rate is 0.5-2% of the property value and is payable by the owner of the property.

>>>Read more: Renewing work permit – The complete guide

How do expats calculate tax amounts based on their salary in Vietnam? 

Expats in Vietnam are subject to tax based on their salary. The tax rate for expats is the same as for Vietnamese citizens, with a progressive tax rate of 5% to 35%. To calculate an expat’s tax amount, they must first determine their taxable income. Taxable income includes all forms of income from any source, such as wages, investments, and business income. 

Once the taxable income is determined, the expat can use Vietnam’s tax brackets to calculate the amount of tax owed. The tax brackets for individuals range from 5% to 35%. For example, taxable income up to VND 9,000,000 is taxed at a rate of 5%, while taxable income over VND 90,000,000 is taxed at a rate of 35%. After the tax rate is determined, the expat can multiply their taxable income by the tax rate to calculate their tax amount.

As an expat working and living in Vietnam, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the different types of tax you may have to pay. This will ensure you stay compliant.

The post Common types of taxes in Vietnam that an expat should know appeared first on Vietnam Teaching Jobs.

What’s life like in Vietnam in general?

Vietnam is one of the fastest growing export markets in the world and has grown at an impressive rate since it was opened to foreign investors in 2015. Both real estate buyers and multinational corporations are trying to take advantage of this country’s rise.

Along with this expansion, we have seen rapid price increases in major cities like HCM and Hanoi . Property prices have skyrocketed in central areas, and at the same time we see obvious changes in areas with a high concentration of tourists and expats.

Cost of living in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam

Even so, before stating that living in a place is expensive, you should analyze your general lifestyle. Adding an extra car or room to your apartment can make a big difference.

Living as a single is not that expensive in Saigon. You can easily survive on a budget of $1,000 a month if you are willing to share an apartment and cook at home from time to time. You might even save some money.

However, you should also keep in mind that the country has some of the most expensive international schools in the world when compared to general costs of living and salaries. So if you are an expat moving with your family, make sure you confirm what costs your company will cover.

Although Ho Chi Minh City attracts most foreigners, prices are not comparable to the rest of the country. The third largest city Da Nang is 30% cheaper on average when looking at rental rates and general cost of living.

Cost of rent, food, transportation and more

If you live in Ho Chi Minh City, you will spend much of your salary or savings on rent. Although the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center is 9,140,028 VND (400 USD) nationwide, you will have to pay 10,839,415 VND (471 USD) in Ho Chi Minh City.

It is expensive compared to more developed cities, such as Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, where prices are on a similar level.

Rent in Ho Chi Minh city

Rent in Ho Chi Minh city

If you want to live in a 3-bedroom apartment in Vietnam, you will have to pay an average of 20,004,997 VND (869 VND), while the amount will rise to 25,167,339 VND (1,094 USD) in Ho Chi Minh City. If you decide to live outside the city center, you will save around 30%.

Food in Ho Chi Minh city

Food in Ho Chi Minh city

Vietnam is famous for its good food, with excellent cuisine of its own. Besides, there are also many influences and inspirations from French cuisine. Did you know that Vietnamese people love to eat baguettes filled with vegetables, meat, spices and pate? You will not have to pay more than 1 USD for one.

Meals in inexpensive restaurants usually cost 50,000 VND (2 USD) on average, but can reach as high as 70,000 – 80,000 VND. Normally, when you go out for a three-course meal, you will spend an average of 400,000 VND (17.3 VND) in Vietnam. The price rises to 450,000 VND (19.56 VND) in Ho Chi Minh city.

Alcohol is cheap, at least the beer. A can of cold Tiger or Saigon beer costs as little as 20,000 VND in restaurants (0.86 USD). Note that there is also no need to pay a tip, but restaurants sometimes add separate VAT and a service charge.

Transportations in Ho Chi Minh city

One drawback of living in Vietnam is that not even the major cities have efficient public transportation (yet). They are building subways in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and we expect the works to be completed in the next few years.

That implies that you will have to buy a motorcycle or go by taxi. If you go by taxi a couple of times a day, it will be a lot of expense. That’s why I recommend you to buy a bike or download the biggest taxi app in Southeast Asia: Grab.

Transportations in Ho Chi Minh city

No need to book a car if you use Grab, you can also book scooters and you’ll save a lot of money in the long run.

You will also need a SIM card if you move to Vietnam. The fees are lower and you can easily get by on 80,000 VND per month (3.5 USD). Two of the most popular service providers are Viettel and Mobifone.

One thing you will notice is that utility rates can be high, at least for electricity. Foreigners often pay up to 100 USD a month for electricity, even in 2-3 bedroom apartments. I have noticed that the electricity rate tends to increase if you cook a lot. Also, don’t forget to turn off air conditioners when you’re not home, as they also tend to increase costs.

To save your cost of living in Ho Chi Minh city

If you want to reduce your cost of living in Ho Chi Minh city, below are some recommendations:

Buy a scooter or grab bike: You will save a lot of money if you buy or rent a scooter instead of taking a taxi everywhere. The second cheapest option is to go by Grab-bike, as you book a scooter instead of a car.

The transportation system is not very developed in Ho Chi Minh City and most foreigners cannot travel by bus. Another option is to go on foot or by bicycle. However, keep in mind that there is a lot of traffic and it is easier to get around by scooter.

Cost of living in Ho Chi Minh city

Shared apartment: the apartments are large compared to Hong Kong and Singapore. You can share a nice flat of 80 square meters in a new building for 700-1200 USD per month. It is common for foreigners to share a flat in Ho Chi Minh City. The good thing is that you will often have access to cleaning services, a gym and a swimming pool.

Avoid the expensive bars: there are many bars and restaurants where you can eat and drink for much less than in the elegant bars and pubs with terraces in the center. If your budget is limited, I recommend you go to a local Vietnamese.

The post Cost of living in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam appeared first on Vietnam Teaching Jobs.

As a general rule, the largest and most developed cities, such as Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) or Hanoi, tend to be a little more expensive than the rest, especially when it comes to rent, leisure and food.

The cities with the most foreigners are Ho Chi Minh (Saigon), Hanoi, Da Nang, Hoi An, Can Tho, Hai Phong, Dong Hoi, Phu Quoc and Quy Nhon.

Now that you have the basic information, let’s see in detail what is the cost of living in Vietnam.

Cost of living in Vietnam

Rental Price in Vietnam

Depending on the cities these prices will also vary but, as a general reference, we could say that the minimum rental prices in Vietnam in 2020 are the following:

• Room in Shared House from €150 per month.
• Studio or Apartment (± 55m2) from €300 per month.
• 2 Bedroom Apartment from €450 per month.
• 3 Bedroom Apartment from €550 per month.
• House with 4 or more rooms from €800 per month.

NOTE: In order to legally rent a home to a foreigner, the property must have a fire certificate (PPPC). These prices are based on the facilities and the location of the house.

As a foreigner you only have the right to use apartments or condominiums. The purchase is restricted exclusively to Vietnamese.

Cost of living in Vietnam: FOOD

Most people in Vietnam usually cook breakfast and dinner at home but often eat out so this section covers both options.

How much does it cost to fill the shopping cart in Vietnam?

Filling the shopping basket in Vietnam costs about €200 per month per person. This is buying in local markets or in the supermarket chain VinMart, consuming mostly local products and limiting imported products to 10% of the cart.

This includes food, drink, personal hygiene products and cleaning products.

If products imported from Europe, Oceania, Africa or America are purchased, the price of the basket can easily triple.

You can check some famous supermarket’s websites in Vietnam to see the price for yourself. The currency is VND.

How much does it cost to eat out in Vietnam?

In Vietnam it is quite common to eat out very often. Both street food outlets and local restaurants offer delicious dishes at very affordable prices. Vietnam also has good international restaurants but these are usually quite expensive.

• Street Food Plate from 20.000 VND per plate
• Lunch at a local restaurant from 30-50.000 VND per plate
• Burgers from 125.000 VND per person.
• Korean or Japanese restaurant from 300.000 VND per person.
• Expensive International / Vietnamese Restaurant from 1.000.000 per person.

Cost of living in Vietnam: Transportation

To get around the big cities in Vietnam you basically have 3 options:

Grab: An Uber-type application that will allow you to move around the city by motorcycle or car, as you prefer. Its prices are affordable and it is a safe way to move without inconvenience. You can download the app for Android or iPhone.

• Average Motorcycle Price: 15.000 VND/km
• Average Price by Car: 30.000 VND/km
• Bus: Buses are fast, comfortable, cheap and represent the most sustainable public transport option which only costs around 5-10.000 VND.

Motorcycle: The most popular means of transport among locals. Remember that you must have a valid international license and local insurance to drive a motorcycle in Vietnam legally.

• A 2nd hand motorcycle is from 5 million VND
• A New Motorcycle from 15 million VND
• A new bike is from around 2 million VND

Bicycle: Once you have got used to the traffic and the Vietnamese climate, you can venture out to try this option, which in addition to moving in a totally emission-free way helps you stay fit.

Cost of entertainment in Vietnam

In this aspect, Vietnam has everything: From almost free beers to exclusive clubs where you can spend all your money in one sitting. These are some of the prices related to leisure:

• Soft drink from 15.000 VND
• Vietnamese Coffee from 15.000 VND
• Beer (Bia Hoi) from 5.000 VND
• Bottle Beer from 10.000 VND
• Music Festival Ticket from 400.000 VND per day
• Cinema with popcorn and drink from 200.000 VND per person
• Ice Skating from 150.000 VND/ person
• Water Park from 100.000 VND/person
• Street attractions for children from 15.000 VND /trip
• Karaoke from 200.000 VND/hour per room
• Massage from 200.000 VND /hour
• Spa Circuit (Massage + Sauna + Hydromassage) from 300.000 VND /hour

The cultural/musical leisure offer in Vietnam is still not very wide, especially outside the big cities. But even so, the number of concerts and festivals increases in quality and quantity every year.

Hopefully this article has provided you the information you needed about the cost of living in Vietnam. See our other articles about health check and insurance in Vietnam to know more about health-related issues when coming to the country.

The post Cost of living in Vietnam: a complete guide appeared first on Vietnam Teaching Jobs.

Why should you teach English in Vietnam

Why should you teach English in Vietnam?

If you take a look at Nas Daily’s video about Vietnam, you’ll notice that he asserts over and over again that Vietnam is indeed a “happy” country. The people here are inherently friendly and non-judgmental. When teaching English in Vietnam, many foreigners confess that they love Vietnam because of its beautiful scenery, low cost of living, and sweet people. In addition, because the demand for foreigners to teach English in Vietnam is increasing, you will not have to worry about the lack of job opportunities when you come here.

1. Job opportunities for teaching English in Vietnam increase greatly

As a developing country with a high growth rate in Southeast Asia, Vietnam’s need to popularize English for international integration is increasing sharply, along with a great demand for a number of foreign English teachers in Vietnam. This helps create many job opportunities for foreigners, especially native English speakers. In particular, in the context of recovering the economy and education after the epidemic period, the demand for English teachers is much higher.

In addition, if you are good at something other than teaching, there are also many other job opportunities beside teaching in Vietnam such as manager, supervisor or technical specialist…

2. Favorable climate and beautiful landscape

Vietnam is a country with a temperate monsoon climate with few natural disasters, and the weather is quite pleasant to live in. Nature also favors Vietnam because it is located adjacent to the East Sea with rich natural resources, diverse and beautiful landscapes, making Vietnam really a paradise to live and work. Besides, accompanied by a favorable climate is a wealth of agricultural products and fruits. Foreigners living and teaching English in Vietnam can enjoy delicious and nutritious foods at a very reasonable cost.

3. Safety

Compared to other neighboring countries in the region, Vietnam is one of the best secure countries in the world. In Vietnam, there is almost no terrorist violence. Crime rate is also very low, thanks to the ability of the government to control extremely well. This is an advantage that attracts foreigners because they will obviously feel more secure when teaching English in Vietnam.

4. Humans

Kindness, friendliness, openness, and hospitality are common characteristics of the people here. In Vietnam, teachers of color still teach at regular English centers. People are always happy to offer help to foreigners, which can be rare in other countries.

Vietnamese people kindness, friendliness, openness, and hospitality

Besides, expats finds teaching in Vietnam an ideal occupation as they have a fixed working schedule, which allows them to spend the rest of their time for travelling, enjoying life and having fun with their mates.

Expenses when living and teaching in Vietnam

The cost of living in Vietnam varies depending on the city or province you decide to live in, but generally speaking, as a foreigner, it is possible to live in any province or city in Vietnam with approximately $600 per month per person.

Expenses when living and teaching in Vietnam

As a matter of fact, in the largest and most developed cities, such as Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) or Hanoi, the cost of living is a little more expensive than the rest, especially when it comes to rent, leisure activities and food.

How much can you make when teaching English in Vietnam?

How much can you make when teaching in Vietnam

A commonly-asked question by anyone who’s interested in teaching in Vietnam is “how much can English teachers make in Vietnam?“.

In general, there are two types of places where a foreigner can teach English in Vietnam: language centers and international schools/universities.

In an average language center you can earn around $1500 per month (salary in Vietnam is usually mentioned per month not year like in the US) for an English teaching job. And if you are a workaholic, you can can choose to work on the weekend. Most of these weekend classes are for adults, so the income could increase to $2000/month. Recruitment is quite easy as Vietnam is in great need of English teachers.

For international school/university, you will be working with children of all ages. The income is a bit higher, at $1800-2500/month. If you work hard, you can easily reach the number of 2500 USD/ month. And nothing will stop you from choosing a part-time job, so there’re a lot of opportunities to earn money when teaching in Vietnam. See the detailed breakdown of salary in Vietnam in 2022 here.

What are the benefits of teaching English in Vietnam?

The benefits of teaching English in Vietnam

Besides the basic benefits that an English teacher can get like health insurance, at least 13 paid holidays, work permit and visa sponsorship… you can enjoy other perks when teaching in Vietnam, depending on where you work. Among them are:

• Housing allowance: you can usually get an amount of up to 5 million for covering your rent and accommodation expenses
• Traveling allowance: If your house is quite distant from the school, you can get an amount for gas expenses
• Tuition coverage for children: If you get married and have kids in Vietnam, you can get be exempted from paying tuition fee when sending your children to one of the campuses that belonged to the school you work for (usually an International school)
• KPIs bonus
• Contract bonus: If you complete a (normally) 1-year contract, you can get a bonus depending on your monthly income
• Accommodation provided, vacation trips,…

Requirements for Teaching in Vietnam

Many foreigners are now planning to come to Vietnam in the near future, when the country has fully reopened to visitors from all over the world. Some even plan to stay and find a teaching job here in Vietnam, but don’t know where to start. So let us tell you: you need to, firstly, see how you will be able to get one.

There are several requirements for a foreigner to be get English teaching jobs in Vietnam, but most of them are obtainable. You can find these requirements in most of the job descriptions of many employers in Vietnam:

• A 4-year university or college degree, or a pedagogical certificate obtained in any countries
• Have a decent accent and a good command of English grammar
• An international English teaching certificate: TESOL, CELTA, TEFL,… or PGCEs
• To have from 1 year experience in teaching English as a second language

Moreover, in a managerial position, the requirements for a foreigner to teach in Vietnam is even more demanding, including having a sufficient knowledge of office sofwares and skills, or proven leadership experience, etc. The more specific requirements a job description has, the higher the salary that will be offered. If you have already got some experience with teaching ESL, or more ideally, in South East Asian countries, you will have a great advantage while applying to teach English in Vietnam.

Not to mention, there are criteria that some employers will also take into account when recruiting expat teachers, such as: nationality, background status, or other preferable characteristics of a teacher, depending on the type of job. For example, if you apply for a kindergarten teaching position, you must have the passion for teaching pre-school children, especially the patience to tackle any situation you may have with them. However, it’s not too demanding when it comes to a kindergarten teaching job’s requirements, but to the opposite, the soft skills that the job requires are usually considered carefully.

Can you teach in Vietnam without a degree?

It is advisable that you should have at least a college degree of any fields, a health check, a police check, a teaching certificate and some sorts of experience working with children. However, the common problem is that some foreigners want to teach English in Vietnam without a college degree, but are able to meet the other requirements. One thing that could be said is you will still be able to get a teaching job here in Vietnam, but not legally, since you don’t meet the most basic requirement to be a teacher, which is to have a college/ university degree.

If you don’t have a 4-year degree, but a 3-year diploma, you can still be accepted to process for visa/work permit. However, if you don’t have a bachelor degree in Education field, you need to have an extra teaching certificate & language proficiency certification ( for non-native teachers)to be employed as a teacher in Vietnam.

What is the best place to teach English in Vietnam?

The best place to teach English in Vietnam

In Vietnam, you can choose the location to teach English according to your preference of living environment. Many visitors consider Vietnam as a very safe and friendly place for anyone to live. But if you are looking for a well-paid teaching job in Vietnam, you should make a choice to live in big cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or Da Nang, etc. The salary for teaching English in Vietnam decreases the further you live from the major cities, especially in provinces and outskirts. However, the cost of living in these places are not as high as those in the cities, and the atmosphere is much more stress-free, so it’s definitely up to how you want to live your life.

Teaching English in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh (or Saigon) is about1.730 kilometers from Hanoi and it’s the center of southeast Asia. Ho Chi Minh City has the largest port as well as airport in Vietnam. Saigon harborage carries further than 10 million tons every time and Tan Son Nhat airport operates hundreds of flights on a regular basis.

Teaching English in Ho Chi Minh City

With the geographical advantage, Ho Chi Minh megacity is the“ Pearl of the Orient” during the 20th century. It’s the center of economics and societies and is famous to people from not only Vietnam but also from other countries. HCM city was notorious for its diversity, where every culture and traditions are embraced. Being told by numerous societies, people from Ho Chi Minh megacity are friendly, energetic, and down-to-earth.

Ho Chi Minh City has an endless amount of jobs for foreigners, especially for those who are fond of teaching in Vietnam. Every job provides a decent salary with amazing benefits from local English centers and schools. However, not every teacher can find English teaching jobs easily when they first come to Ho Chi Minh city. You need to be, obviously, well-prepared financially and mentally before coming to a new place to find a job. And in this case, it’s Saigon of Vietnam.

Teaching English in Hanoi City

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, one of the three big cities where many foreigners live and work. This is a region in Vietnam where people attach great importance to education, and they are willing to invest a lot of money in their own and their children’s education. Because of such characteristics, Hanoi is one of the few places to have the headquarters of large, long-standing English centers as well as the most prestigious international schools in Vietnam.

Teaching English in Hanoi City

Things that make Hanoi so attractive to English teachers are also quite predictable. As a large city, Hanoi has a large population, making the demand for foreign teachers always high. It is also easy to have access to medical facilities, entertainment or essential services for living. In addition, Hanoi has had a large expat community for a long time, so you can find and connect with many other English teachers, or simply foreigners here.

What are the most common types of jobs for teachers in Vietnam?

When teaching in Vietnam, you are will often find positions with different titles. For examples:

• English teacher (full or part-time)
• Primary/secondary teacher at high schools
• Lecturer at major universities

In addition, in international schools with English as the main language, the salary of a foreign teacher will be very high. However, the recruitment conditions are also more demanding than in other places.

If you are working at a full-time position, you will be able to enjoy more perks and benefits. Along with them are the stricter requirements on the responsibility and commitment to the employer.

If you are working part-time only, you will be able to get other job opportunities at other centers or schools and earn more income.

If you are looking for a non-teaching jobs that have little requirements for recruitment, there are also choices for you. Some of them are acting in a series of videos for teaching, recording for English programs, or some modelling gigs.

But these jobs are usually short-termed. Therefore, if you look for a stable non-teaching job, you need to have a strong background in the field that you’re applying for (I.T., for instance). The benefits and requirements for these distinct types of jobs are also different from teaching jobs. You should do a little research or ask a local friend to help you about where to find these jobs if possible.

How do I start teaching English in Vietnam?

If you are looking for what it requires to start an English teaching job in Vietnam, you have come to the right place! We will give you some suggestions on what you need to prepare, as well as to understand clearly, to be able to easily enter and start teaching English in Vietnam:

1. Consider a job or position that you would like to apply for

Consider a job or position that you would like to apply for

Yes, you need to know what you want to do and where you can work. If you simply want a job teaching English to children in Vietnam, there are many offers for you. In addition, if you are looking for a position that allows you to work with adults more, or just focus on Speaking skills, you can still find it on our website vietnamteachingjobs.com. Use the filter to be able to find vacancies that match your desires, and we will go to the next step. You can also choose the places that have the offers you’re looking for as well!

2. Consider the criteria of that job

Now look at the qualifications, documents and skills requirements of the job you want. Which of these criteria can you satisfy?

Keep in mind that the more skills and legal documents you meet to teach in Vietnam, the more likely you are to get a sponsorship by an employer to enter and work. If you already have a college or university degree, the rest of the requirements are fairly easy to meet.

Now let’s take a look at the other basic criteria for an expat to qualify for teaching English in Vietnam, in case you have already owned a college degree:

• Have a decent accent and a good command of English grammar
• An international English teaching certificate: TESOL, CELTA, TEFL,… or PGCEs
• From 1 year experience in teaching English as a second language

As you can see, it’s an easy task for any foreigner to have a decent accent of English. You don’t need any qualification to prove that, you just have to speak or practice to get the best native accent that the Vietnamese employers look for in a candidate.

For having an international English teaching certificate, you can easily get one with at least 120 hours of studying. The most commonly-accepted teaching certificates are TESOL, TEFL or CELTA. There are a plenty of articles that provide information about these certificates, so you can have a look on your own. If you don’t want to look anywhere further, check out our TEFL provider here to start teaching English in Vietnam today!

In addition, the element of teaching experience is also quite important, but not always compulsory for any position. If you have no experience in this field, don’t worry, there will always be a teaching position in Vietnam to help you get started. However, it is very advantageous if you already have 1 year of experience. This means you can get an offer that provides a higher salary than a beginner, and have more chances to work at more reputable employers or larger-scaled schools.

3. Apply and contact the employer of the position you want to work for

If you feel ready to start a new life in Vietnam, do not hesitate to submit your application immediately. Visit our vietnamteachingjobs.com and you will get access to +70 new teacher vacancies every day in Vietnam (more than any other platform where you can find information about jobs for foreigners or teaching in Vietnam).

Apply and contact the employer of the position you want to work for

However, make sure you are contacting an employer who is also looking for candidates outside of Vietnam. Sometimes, in some cases, employers need to urgently hire teachers to keep up with the current needs of the market (school reopening, teacher shortage, new school year, …) , they will not give preference to candidates who are living abroad. You can see the section “support teachers outside of Vietnam” in every job posting on our website: if “YES” you are free to apply, but if “NO”, try your chance in other job postings.

What are the requirements for visa for teaching English in Vietnam?

• Guaranteed by organizations, enterprises or companies operating in Vietnam.
• Having a representative office in Vietnam to guarantee.
• Have a schedule to work or work in Vietnam.
• Provide legal documents of the company or enterprise, including: Business registration certificate or. Investment certificate (for foreign enterprises need to provide both documents above) and company seal sample registration certificate.

The process to enter Vietnam:

• Upon entry: Vietnam has now allowed entry to the country again. According to a dispatch on March 15, 2022, the government issued a decision to restore the entry policy to Vietnam for foreigners.
• Consular legalization is when a competent Vietnamese agency certifies the seal, signature, title on the papers, and documents issued by a foreign agency to be recognized and used in Vietnam.
• Get a work visa: It is compulsory for foreigners to have a work visa to work in Vietnam legally.
• Get a work permit: Work permit is a legal document for foreigners working in Vietnam.
• TRC- Temporary Residence Card:  is a document you earn from an immigration management agency or a competent agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Foreigners must have one to reside legally for a certain period of time in Vietnam.

We hope that this article has provided everything you need to know about teaching English in Vietnam. We have compiled some interesting facts and tips, as well as a number of useful websites which will help you along your journey into the wonderful world of ESL teaching.

The post Teaching English in Vietnam: The Complete Guide & How to Get Started? appeared first on Vietnam Teaching Jobs.

It is important to find yourself an agency that will assist you. It is possible to find a place on your own through word of mouth or from signs hanging outside a vacant property, although using an agency is a more common option.

See related articles:

• How to open a bank account in Vietnam
• What you can have for your kitchen in Vietnam

Find a new home in Vietnam

Agencies often advertise online on local Facebook sites and you can also ask your company for advice – you will find that in larger companies that they work closely with a home agency and can provide you with the information needed.

When you have found an agency then you need to decide on a few key issues – a house or an apartment/area/cost.

Houses are typically tall and thin, providing you with plenty of room with lots of stairs. They are usually more expensive than an apartment although not significantly so (depending on the area) Apartments include security and usually offer amenities such as a gym and pool. They usually have a balcony area.

There is a huge variety in the types and styles of properties in Vietnam

The majority of properties are furnished – although it is very rare to have an oven in the kitchen – although unfurnished are also available.

Have a look on google maps to see the names of the different areas and work out the distance to your place of work and distance to the centre – you will find it hard to travel too far on a daily basis and it will also be difficult if you find yourself in a remote area without shops etc.

When you have agency details, you then phone them up and tell them of your preferences – e.g. the area/price/type of property.

Agencies work very quickly – they will be able to show you properties within a day – so don’t worry about having a limited timeframe in the hotel. One of the great things about the agencies is that they come and pick you up (on a motorbike) and drive you around to see the different properties – this service is provided free.

Notes for finding a home in Vietnam

Remember to check for a parking venue

1. When looking around for a new home in Vietnam, remember to get the exact address (so that you can revisit later) – it is fine to take photographs (although make sure you ask first) and this helps a lot to remind you – especially when you visit a number of places in one day. Make sure that you ask about parking for motorbikes (even if you do not have one yet) and about what is included monthly. Often people are living in a property when you go to visit so it can sometimes be hard to know what will be in the home when you take it on.
2. It is important to try to go back to the place that you are interested in at another time rather than just having one viewing. This is because there are two key times when Vietnamese tend to come out en-masse – this is about 6 am in the morning and from about 5 pm. If you have visited during the day (especially if you have visited during the lunch and sleeping time, which is anytime between 11, and 2 pm where you may have noticed it is very quiet) then you may have a totally different experience at 6 pm.
3. In some apartments, there can be an issue about children playing in the communal corridors – so do take a look at the corridors and the other apartments to see if there is any evidence of this. Although in the West young children go to bed early, in Vietnam, young children go to sleep late so if there are a lot of children in the corridor screaming then you may be lying in bed listening to this – so do check this aspect.
4. Another noise issue to look out for are the loudspeakers. Loudspeakers are installed on the top of poles and are used to announce local news etc. The news is given on a daily basis ( at least ) and is often accompanied by music – the noise level of these is extremely loud and distorted so you really do need to make sure that your house or apartment is not directly next to a loudspeaker but a reasonable distance away.

Payment and contract signing

Once you have decided on the house/apartment to make it your new home in Vietnam, there will be a formal signing process with the owner. There is typically a few pages that outline a number of things so take the time to read it all through – it is usually written in both Vietnamese as well as English so both parties can read it and understand. It is usual to give a deposit – usually at least one month’s rent in advance –, which is refundable when you leave. A contract can last for six months or a year – so if you are not sure, it is better to sign up for six months and then extend later on. It is important to note that deposits and rents at this initial stage are typically cash-based – whether in the form of actual cash or as a bank transfer – cards are generally not accepted.

Contracts are typically signed and payments made in cash

It is usual for the agency to write a checklist of what is provided with the premises – this is usually gone through with you to make sure that you are aware of what there is. It is very important to take this aspect very seriously, so for example if they say that all curtains are double layered and one of them is not – then you need to point that out. Once you have signed to say that you have these items in your home in Vietnam, then you are responsible and the property owner can take the money directly from the deposit given for any items that are not the same as this initial list.

One of the first things that you should do when you first move is to get an extra key cut – this is a relatively simple process and is typically done at the side of the street – simply look out for someone with a machine on a table and this will probably be a key cutter.

It is important to know your exact address. Vietnamese addresses consist of the name of the town as well as the ward and district. The district is the large area that a place is in, whereas a ward is a small local area. You need to know your ward and district for delivery purposes – your house number and street address is not enough.

Your address will include your home’s ward and district

Your property owner is legally required to register you at the address; however, this is often something that you need to encourage them to do. You need to provide your property owner with a completed form (ask at your school for the form) as well as a copy of your passport. They then need to take this to the local police so that you are registered. Although this is a straightforward process, as with many official things in Vietnam, in order for a process to be completed in a timely manner i.e. within a week instead of within a year, some money needs to change hands. Depending on where you live will depend on the amount that you need to pay.

Tips for living in a Vietnamese home

In a typical home in Vietnam, hot water is not always available. Instead, there is a need to press a button to turn the system on.

Depending on the age of your system, it will take between 10 and 30 minutes for the water to heat up so that you can take a shower etc. Make sure that you ask your property owner where this switch is if you are not sure – however, most of the time it is pretty obvious. Make sure that your turn off the hot water after you have used it to save on electricity bills.

Rather than an oven, most properties will have a stovetop, which can be electric, or gas. If it is gas, then you will have a gas bottle in the cupboard, which powers the stovetop. Make sure that your property owner or agency demonstrates how to turn the gas on and off as this can be confusing for those used to main gas lines. When the gas finishes the stovetop will simply not light anymore. If you are unsure whether there is a problem or if the gas has simply finished, you pick up the gas bottle. If you feel that it is light then it will be empty.

There is a very simple and efficient system for refilling gas bottles – you simply phone the number on the gas bottle and tell the person your location. It does not matter that they do not speak English and you do not speak Vietnamese – they know exactly what you want – and you will find someone knocking on your door within an hour with a new gas bottle, which they will fit and take away the old empty one. You need to pay cash to the person from the gas shop who delivers.

It can often be a worrying process to find a nice home in Vietnam, however, the Vietnamese system is fast and although it may feel a little chaotic, it is in fact quite systematic. Take your time to check the place and to make sure that you agree with all of the paperwork before signing. When moving in your new home in Vietnam, don’t worry about getting everything perfect and knowing what to do all of the time – there are always your colleagues at school to help with any questions that you may have and you will often be surprised to find that there is a simple solution!

The post The simple guide to finding your new home in Vietnam appeared first on Vietnam Teaching Jobs.