Teach English Abroad In Vietnam

Documents for school application

• Photo
• Introductory video
• Resume
• Health Insurance

Documents to legalize before traveling. Will be used once in Vietnam for the work permit:

• This will need to be Notarized, Authenticated and Legalized (can be completed in Vietnam depending on nationality of documents. All UK and SA documents must be legalized in their home country)
• ‘Bachelor’ must be written on the certificate
• Name on the certificate must match your passport (If not the case, additional affidavit is needed.)
• Must be completely in English. If it is not, it will need to be translated with an affidavit 

• Must be Authenticated and Legalized (can be completed in Vietnam depending on nationality of documents. All UK and SA documents must be legalized in their home country)
• Must be less than 3 months old on arrival in Vietnam. (Date on document must prove this)
• We recommend you apply for this three months before departure so it can be processed in time
• The name on the document must match your passport.

• Only if  you are already TESOL or TEFL certified
• Name on document must match your passport
• Must be legalized in home country if it originates from the UK or SA

How to get documents legalized

• ‘Notarized’ means to verify your document is authentic within your own country
• Only required for Bachelor’s degree certificate
• A notary will verify a true copy of your degree with a stamp and/or signature

• ‘Authenticated’ means verify your document is authentic for use internationally. Vietnam requires documents be authenticated, not apostilled as Vietnam is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention
• A Bachelor’s degree must first be notarized before being authenticated
• A criminal record background check can be authenticated as soon as it has been issued
• This can be done at the government department responsible for foreign affairs

• Send docs to the Vietnam Embassy/Consulate in country where documents issued to be legalized
• This step needs to be done for your Bachelor’s Degree and Criminal Record Background Check

In country

1) What are the living expenses per day?
$25 US a day, including accommodations, food and local transport. Of course, this is dependent on factors such as how often you eat local foods, go out, and accommodation choices. It can be both lower and higher than 25 USD.

2) Travelling costs?
Many teachers rent scooters and it is relatively inexpensive (we don’t allow scooter rental during the TESOL course if you are taking TESOL in country.) We also discourage teachers from renting scooters as they are quite dangerous. Teachers in the major cities also use Grab Taxi (Vietnam’s uber).

3) Transportation from accommodation to work?
Not provided by schools, though some schools will provide a travel stipend. Most people rent scooters.

4) How safe is it in Vietnam?
Extremely safe. Like anywhere else it is recommended that you remain alert; however, Vietnam, and Ho Chi Minh City/Hanoi in particular, is a relatively safe place for both men and women to be alone.

5) What are the age groups I will be teaching?
Mixed ages but mainly younger children.

6) Working hours? And days per week?
Approximately 18-20 teaching hours per week, these will mainly be evenings and weekends if placed at a language center.

7) After my contract expires, can I still travel in the country or do I need to leave Vietnam?
You can stay as long as you like as long as you have a job and you maintain a legal Visa status. It is important to check with your school on how long you have. Most schools cancel work permits and visas within a month of a teacher leaving.

8) Can one renew working contract and visa without leaving the country?
Yes

9) How long is the working visa valid for?
Working visas are either for one year or on a three months renewable basis.

10) Language orientation? How will I understand Vietnamese?
On the TESOL course we cover the basics of the Vietnamese language. As part of your orientation you will have some Vietnamese language lessons.

11) Medical services and insurance?
Insurance coverage differs between schools. Some schools and contracts provide it whilst others do not. Some schools require that the teacher pass probation first before becoming eligible for paid insurance but they also offer the teacher to buy their own insurance through the same provider.

12) What is phone and Internet connectivity like?
Really good and cheap and there are many places to assist you with this process.

13) What is the dress code for teaching?
Smart. Typically collar shirts for men and conservative dress for women.

14) How difficult is the TESOL course? Can one fail?
Yes, one can fail. But if we see that an applicant is not doing well, we will spend more time with the applicant to make sure they pass. We have had people fail or be kicked off of the course, but that is typically caused by other things like drinking, fighting, not from lack of competence to complete the course successfully. However, a decent level of competence is necessary as a teacher may be required to do a demo lesson before finalizing their contract.

15) Packing essentials? Sleeping bag, towels?
People can get everything in Vietnam, and it’s very cheap. Some of the accommodations do not have bedding, but this can be bought in Vietnam. Please note that clothes sizes tend to be small so if you wear larger sized clothing you will want to bring as much clothing as you can.

16) Are there any serious laws they are very strict on?
Vietnam is a communist country and while economic freedom is widespread, political freedoms are greatly curtailed and there is no legal opposition to the ruling communist party. Drug laws are also very strict.

17) What is the level of English and behavior of students?
This will vary from student to student, however, there is typically beginner knowledge of English throughout the country. You should expect to teach students of all ages (though they will mostly be children). Vietnamese students are generally well behaved, at least compared with children in the West.

18) What curriculum will they follow at school?
Your school will provide and train you on their specific curriculum. The schools have specific curriculums and curriculum support.

19) Will my colleagues speak English?
Yes.

20) What are the chances of schools deducting security money? And how does this work?
This is very rare and unlikely to happen. However, many schools pay teachers on the end of the first week of the following month. That provides a small bit of security for the school if you leave abruptly without notice.

21) Do you get paid overtime?
Yes, in most cases.

22) What are the chances of getting a salary increase?
Quite high for your second contract but your salary is typically fixed for your contract duration. But there might be opportunities for overtime work.

23) Is all paperwork and books supplied by the school?
Yes.

24) When are the school holidays?
As Language centers are open year round, if working at a language center you will not share the usual school holidays. Instead, participants may take vacation leave and take public holidays. However, all language centers do close for the Tet Holiday which usually last for 7-10 days at the beginning of February.

25) Can a participant choose part or full time?
Yes.

26) Is religion a big issue?
No.

27) What happens if you lose your job? Can you get a new one?
If you are fired, The GeoVisions Foundation will no longer help with placement; however, with your TESOL certificate you can usually find work by using job posting websites. If you are let go due to some other reason unrelated to performance, conduct or attendance, we will continue to assist.

28) Can you drink tap water?
It is recommended not to drink the tap water, as there can be bacteria our bodies are unfamiliar with because we come from the West. Bottled water is cheap and it’s safer to go buy a bottle. But if you happen to get a mouth full brushing your teeth, etc., no need for concern.

Application Process

• To apply, you must complete the online application.
• Once your application has been submitted, your Operations Coordinator will provide you with a list of documents required for the program. All documents can be attached and uploaded with your supplemental application.
• Within 2-4 weeks, you’ll know if you’re accepted to the program. You will receive an acceptance letter and we will provide you with more information regarding placements, visas, and training schedules.
• You will receive your placement prior to arrival.

When you're ready to apply, fill out, and submit your application (red button below) with your $350 fee.

Applying for a Business Visa before the Course

Participants will need to apply for their visa ahead of time online.  It takes up to 7 business days to process, not including holidays. One of the websites that we recommend people use to apply for the business visa on arrival on online is https://www.vietnam-evisa.org. They should apply for a three-month single-entry business visa. After their application has been approved, they will receive a letter supporting their visa. Participants will need to print out a copy of this and bring it to the airport. In addition, they will need to bring 2 passport sized photos 4x6cm and 25 USD for the stamping fee when they arrive. The following guide explains how to collect the visa once upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City at the Tan Son Nhat airport in HCMC:https://www.vietnamimmigration.org/arrival-posts/item/826-vietnam-airport-guide-how-to-pick-up-the-visa-at-vietnam-airports

Once employed by a school, the school generally handles teachers’ visas and work permits. They are large organizations with whole departments dedicated to the process that keep up to date with regulations. The timing of the visa trip will depend on the school; some schools ask the teachers to do it straight away while others allow the teacher to start on the general visa whilst they are still on a probationary period.  Depending on the school, teachers may teach on this visa for one or two months before getting moved over to a school specific business visa, or the school may have them do a visa trip right away. The work permit process typically happens during the first few months of teaching.

Visa Trip

GeoVisions can fully guide teachers on how to complete the visa trip. Popular destinations for the visa trip are Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. The visa trip can often be completed in a single day, but there may be circumstances that require a participant to be gone for 3-4 days. The visa on arrival process is similar to the one outlined above. Instead of applying online for a visa invitation letter, they are using a letter provided by the school. Once the teacher returns from the visa trip, the school will process the work permit. This can take several months to finalize.

What's Included

• Airport Pickup (provided applicants land within four days of start date)
• AVAILABLE: internationally accredited TESOL Course along with one-week cultural orientation
• Otherwise, one-week cultural orientation
• Accommodation facilitation
• Comprehensive job placement assistance
• Visa support
• Ongoing support once you are placed

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What's Not Included

• Medical Insurance (we require that all participants arrive on the program able to demonstrate current medical insurance coverage)
• Flights
• Visa
• Meals
• Accommodation once placed (GeoVisions aids finding accommodation)
• Accommodation during the course/orientation (this depends on agent partner program type)
• Any sort of financial assistance
• Day-to-day transport (including to job interviews and to TESOL course location).

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Next? Our Supplemental Application

After you apply, you'll receive our Supplemental Application with more detailed information about yourself and your qualifications. In this supplemental application, we will need you to upload a copy of your resume, passport, a copy of your degree, and your TEFL Certification.

Participants can select between the following programs:

Full Year Teach

• Requires a 12-month commitment at a private language center but offers the best benefits.
• Schools offer very basic insurance, work permit reimbursement, and better holiday allowances.
• Some schools offer paid holidays.
• Schools often provide signing bonuses and/or completion bonuses.
• Occasionally, schools will allow teachers to move between locations after 4 or 6 months but most of the time they want teachers to remain in the same location.
• Will make it far more likely we can meet the majority of teachers’ placement location preferences.

Public School Year Teach

• 9-month commitment (September through May).
• Teachers will be employed by a language center that sends them to surrounding public schools.
• Most positions are in Hanoi or HCMC. Some placements outside these cities, but not promised.
• If you are only interested in public schools, it is very important you come in July or August. Public school positions cannot be guaranteed outside of these months

Shorter Contracts (minimum 4 months)

• Candidates coming on shorter contracts will receive a similar hourly wage to those on full time contract but they will not receive the same extra benefits.
• They likely won’t get insurance and depending on the school they may or may not get work permit reimbursement (Cost USD 400-500 for the Work Permit would be the teachers’ responsibility).
• They must be more flexible on their preferences.

The tax rate for these positions is 20%, as compared to 10-14% for year-long or public school contracts because of the contract status of part time versus full time.

Accommodation

• Teachers will be given guidance on accommodation options in areas accessible to their school.
• There will be resources available (both from GeoVisions and from the partner school) to find accommodation in the area (other teachers, staff at the center, list of common accommodations).
• Accommodation is typically $ 150 – $ 450 USD per month.
• Most accommodations will be studio apartments or shared houses.
• GeoVisions will arrange shared accommodation during the TESOL course (if you are taking the TESOL course in Vietnam) or orientation. Typically with two or three people per room.

Arrival in Vietnam

• Airport pick-up and accommodation included at a local budget hotel for the TESOL course or for orientation if you're not taking the TESOL course.
• Teachers are responsible for their own accommodation after the course, but GeoVisions will provide advice on finding housing, and schools often assist as well.
• In that first month, you may attend a training induction. This can vary from school to school from a few days to two weeks.  It is typically paid training.

Additional Important Information

• Visa: Business Visa (applied for online in advance, receive an invitation letter and then collect on-arrival at the airport).
• Bank Account: Local assistance for account setup.
• Airport Pickup: GeoVisions (or our school partner in special circumstances) will provide airport pickup for all participants arriving in country, if they are initially going to our accommodation on arrival.

 

Required Visa Trip

Teachers who take the TESOL course in Vietnam must do a short visa trip once they have completed the course and before (or soon after) they start teaching.  This is due to the fact that teachers will arrive on a general independent business visa and will need to switch over to a school-issued visa once they are at their school.  The school will facilitate either right before or shortly after they begin teaching.  The school may cover cost but the teacher may also be required to pay for the visa and transport, depending on the school.  The cost will be anywhere from USD $150 to $250.

2022 Dates

• February 21
• May 2
• May 30
• July 25
• August 22
• November 28

2023 DATES

• February 20
• May 1
• May 29
• July 24
• August 21
• November 27

Additional Intake information

When is the best time to come? Schools hire throughout the year. Many graduates go on to work in well-equipped private language centers throughout Vietnam. These are private organizations where students go throughout the year for extra English classes after school and on weekends. These organizations work throughout the year (not using a term structure) so placements are available all of the time. There are also public school positions. Those specifically interested in public school teaching should come for a July or August course. At other times of year, a public-school position may be possible but is not guaranteed. 

Applicants are accepted at all times of year on a rolling basis.  However, the recruitment focus is from the months of April through December, with the busiest times being June through September.  The best months to come over are June, July, and August, as it is the peak time of year for recruitment across all schools, there are also a lot of public-school positions to fill during this time due to it being around the start of the school year. January and February are not considered good months to start teaching in Vietnam due to the Vietnam New Year (Tet), when parents tend to conserve their budgets and private school enrolments are typically very low.

Is there a time of year participants should NOT come? We highly recommend that participants do not come in February. Moreover, due to the slow hiring period during Tet, participants will have less choice in terms of preferences.

Holidays in Vietnam

The only time that all schools (and most businesses) in Vietnam are closed is the end of January/ beginning of February for the Tet holiday. Placements around this time will be disrupted. Candidates starting to teach at this time may need to wait longer to begin teaching and be more open and flexible on their placement preferences than at other times of the year.

Placement Only Program

We accept placement-only candidates at any time of the year. If candidates want to join one of the in-country orientation weeks, they can do so before going to their placement. By doing the in-country orientation, the participant will experience a full Vietnamese cultural program as part of a group, and meet many other teachers, who are also coming to teach in Vietnam.

Salary range of $1,200 to $2,000 USD per month (before 10-15% tax)

There is typically ample opportunity for picking up extra hours for overtime, which can increase wages.

Work permit cost is typically paid for by the school but not in all cases. This would be for one year or nine-month public school contacts.

Working Hours

Language Centers (one year and four month contracts) Teaching in the afternoons and evenings, and also on the weekends, 2 days off (not consecutive in some cases).

Public schools (mainly 9-month contracts September to May):  Mornings and afternoons Monday through Friday. 

15-25 teaching hours: May fluctuate from week to week

Vacation leave is possible, providing appropriate notice is given. The amount of leave allowed, when it can be taken, and whether it is paid or unpaid will vary depending on the type of school, length the participant is staying, and contract offered. 

Taxes

All participants will pay taxes in Vietnam. If a participant signs a one-year contract, their taxes will be 20% for the first month or two, until the receive their work permit and can establish residence. Then they will be taxed at 10-14%. However, if they leave their contract early, they may be retroactively taxed at 20%, which will be taken out of their last pay check. If a participant does not sign at least a six-month contract, they will be taxed at 20% their entire time in country, as they will not be there long enough to establish residency.

School Break Period

There are no extended school breaks associated with these placements.  There may be short times off, but as language schools operate all year long, there is no extended period of school recess. There is likely to be time off during the Tet holiday in February.

Budget Breakdown

Below please find the complete program fee and budget breakdown. All prices and fees are displayed in US Dollars. The applicant should convert to the local currency to get a better idea of the fees and budget. The following website can be used to calculate exchange rates. http://www.xe.com/ucc/

 

Additional pre-arrival costs

It is also important to discuss a budget of things participants will need to do before departing, including:

• Document legalization – USD $100-$350. This does differ between countries and can be more expensive if a teacher selects to use an agency/service for convivence or because they are in a rush.
• Vietnam Business Visa: $120 -$145 USD
• Flights
• Medical/Travel insurance for at least 90 days $150-$300 USD
• Immunizations (highly recommended) $0-$500 USD (depends on country and insurance)

Important Items to Remember

• Passport and other important documents (bring copies as well)
• ATM/Debit/Credit Cards
• Be sure to tell your bank to let them know you will be using your card in Vietnam. Once you are placed your school will then help you set up a bank account in Vietnam.
• Cash to exchange (South African participants, please contact us directly regarding funds to bring over and money exchanging. It is highly recommended that you bring crisp USD to exchange. You can exchange into Vietnamese Dong before arriving, but very few banks are able to do this.
• List of emergency contacts
• Any daily medication (bring copies of prescriptions), contacts/glasses
• Laptop and chargers (Very important you bring a laptop and not an iPad/tablet for teaching purposes)

Electronics

North America uses 110 volt outlets while Vietnam uses 220 volt outlets. The power sockets are typically type A,C,D. Bring a converter/adapter so your electronics don’t get fried. The plug-in style is the same type you would bring to Europe and normally North America. (NOTE: South African participants, please bring the correct charger from home as adaptors for South African plugs are extremely difficult to find once in Vietnam).

Clothing

You can wear casual clothes in Vietnam, however, as a teacher it is expected that you look smart and professional. For casual occasions, you should wear clothing for warm to hot weather such as shorts and t-shirts. When teaching, men are expected to wear a shirt with a collar, long pants (not jeans), and dress shoes.  Women are expected to dress conservatively at work, including shirts covering their shoulders and long skirts to cover their knees.  Please note that clothing sizes tend to run smaller and shorter than most western sizes. You should bring several changes of dress clothes with you.

 

 

Please note that while you are in the classroom you will be required to cover your chest and shoulders. Out of respect for our Vietnamese staff and community, please also refrain from wearing leggings and any shorts/skirts that are too short. Reserve tank tops and such for when you are out on your own time.

• The amount of clothing listed on here is subject to how often you want to do laundry/need an item.
• Weather may vary whether you are located in the north or the south of Vietnam. Places up north can get cold during the winter time. Other times, Vietnam can be extremely hot so you want comfortable, breathable clothes.
• Comfortable clothes and shoes go a long way when teaching all day (you will be very active in the classroom, so make sure you can reach, bend, and move around freely in your work clothes).

Vietnamese culture is modest so it is important to remember that when packing clothes.

Sizes in Vietnam. The clothes sizes in Vietnam run extremely small.  Westerners often have difficulty finding size M and above. These sizes can be especially challenging to find in small towns, but are more present in big shopping malls in cities at a higher cost (H&M, Forever 21, Zara, Big C, and Co Opmart. Large shoe sizes (Women size US 8/EUR 38, and Men size US 9/EUR 42 and above) can also be difficult to find for cheap.

Other Apparel to Remember. Sandals, casual shoes, sweatshirt (bus rides and Northern Vietnam can get a bit chilly), hat, rain jacket, sunglasses, etc.

Toiletry Needs. Larger cities and towns in Vietnam will have most toiletries that you will need and some brands you will recognize from home. A few things that can be hard to find in Vietnam include:

• Deodorant (for both men and women, stick deodorant is extremely rare. Deodorant in Vietnam is either a spray or liquid roll-on)
• Sunscreen & lotions (many sunscreen & lotions in Vietnam have a whitening agent for your skin)
• Feminine hygiene products – sanitary pads are widely available in Vietnam, however, some tampon brands can only be found in major cities

 (If you are specific in your preferences, bring extra toiletries as reliable name brands can be difficult to find and/or more expensive)

Gifts for the School

Bringing a small gift from your home country for your school makes a great first impression and starts the conversation about different cultures. Some nice gift ideas include:

• Local food – Maple syrup, saltwater taffy, chocolate, etc.
• Local book – with pictures of your area

*This is completely optional, and you can also bring sweets or biscuits from the local store or market to your school

Optional (but a good idea)

• Tablet/books (for avid readers, a kindle is a good idea as English books can be hard to come by)
• Camera
• Headphones

Our best advice is to avoid over packing!

Include your $350 initial program deposit (deducted from the fee) with your formal application.

After you are accepted and guaranteed a job, pay your $500 confirmation fee.

60-days before you depart for Thailand, make your final payment:

• $555 fee if you aren't taking TESOL in Thailand.
• $1,400 if you are taking the TESOL course in Thailand.

Why does The GeoVisions Foundation charge a fee?

We're a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, public charity. So we have to rely on program participants to help defray the costs to run a program like this. Your fee covers things like:

• The interviews, services, and support before you ever travel to Thailand.
• Your job places and the services in Thailand ... before you arrive and certainly after you are there.
• Airport pickup.
• Accommodation during orientation week, plus the full orientation.
• Accommodation during your TESOL course if you have decided to take the course in Thailand, your course fee and materials, the TESOL teachers. Tours and activities are included also.
• Emergency support here and in Thailand during your stay.

Many of the teach abroad programs GeoVisions operates pay more than enough to take care of your student loans. Some pay enough to live comfortably, but depending on your monthly loan payment, it could be close.

GeoVisions will work with you to provide official documents from your school. However, ultimately, it's going to come down to the loan provider to make the final determination.

Many participants end up putting their loans on forbearance if their salary doesn't leave them enough funds to cover their loans.