I, Ondřej Žváček [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC-BY-2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons

With backpacker ‘teachers’ leaving in droves, there is huge demand for foreign English language teachers in Vietnam who meet the requirements to be eligible to work, laid-down by the government. Specifically, if you wish to legally work as an English language teacher in Vietnam for a period exceeding 3 months, you need to produce the following:

• an internationally recognised TESOL certificate (or equivalent);
• a health check (original document – not more than 3 months old);
• a university degree in any discipline (original document);
• an academic transcript related to your university degree (original document); and
• a police clearance from your home country (original document – not more than 6-months old).

Obtaining TESOL certification (or equivalent) on arrival in Vietnam is a realistic option. It will almost certainly be cheaper than going down this path in Australia, the United States, Canada and so forth. There are some great, internationally recognised TESOL courses available in Vietnam, but like anything that costs money, you’d be wise to do some due diligence. Go and visit the TESOL providers personally. Don’t rely on forum posts by anonymous people who mostly have an ‘axe to grind’.

There are public hospitals in each major city in Vietnam that are authorised by the government to conduct work-permit related health checks for foreigners. Again, I’d encourage teachers to consider meeting this requirement when they arrive in Vietnam. Having a health check in Vietnam will cost a fraction of what you’d pay in your home country, unless you have some kind of private health insurance.

It would be a smart move in my view to have an ‘apostille’ placed on official documents you bring with you to Vietnam – university degree, criminal record check and alike. While ‘notarised only’ documents will satisfy some officials in Vietnam, there are others who may well question the legitimacy of your paperwork. If you go down the ‘apostille’ path in your home country, you’ve ‘covered all bases’.

I’ve been living and working as an English language teacher in Vietnam for rapidly approaching 7 years. It’s ‘the people’ that make Vietnam such a super place to live and work and I’m very grateful for the opportunities that have been extended to me in this truly wonderful country. I’m sure you’ll have a similar view after you’ve been here for a period of time.

About the writer: Peter Goudge is the Managing Director of the Australia-Vietnam School of English (AVSE) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: www.avse.edu.vn

By Gilad Rom from Israel (China Beach) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

China Beach and Hoi An

There are few finer ways to escape Saigon’s heaving streets than a few days R&R on picture-postcard China Beach, a legendary former American GI hangout. Follow this by wondering around the charming pedestrianized streets of nearby Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with wonderfully well preserved architecture. A tailored outfit or three may help you further unwind.

Sapa and around

The little explored far north of Vietnam offers a fascinating contrast to city life, home to a handful of the country’s ethnic minorities and hill tribes, each with their own language, customs and heritage. The town of Sapa is increasingly becoming a tourist hotspot, so treat it as a jumping off spot to more remote nearby areas if you want to escape the backpacker crowd.

Set amongst terraced rice fields and green mountains, it is an excellent place for trekking, with some organized tours offering an overnight stay with a family in one of the surrounding villages.

Mekong Delta

Known in Vietnamese as the Nine Dragon River Delta, the region is where the mighty

Mekong divides and empties into the South China Sea. This is the heart of the fertile South, and the centre of Vietnam’s rice production. If you thought if couldn’t get better than pho, wait until you sample the rice balls and delta hot pot…

Two wheels

Many teachers throw themselves headlong into Vietnamese urban culture by buying themselves a small motorbike. There is no better way to get to know the country than by riding off the beaten trail with some likeminded friends, so don your helmet, make sure your papers are in order, and go explore! The road from Da Lat to Nha Trang, and the Hai Van pass, south of Hue, are particularly spectacular. Cycling is also an extremely rewarding option if you have the legs for it!

No doubt there are some glaring omissions, so please comment below with your own travel picks.

By Petr Ruzicka from Prague, CZ (Treti Budha) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Are you looking at teaching English in a foreign country but having trouble deciding between the myriad of choices? Are you interested in experiencing different cultures and learning about a country with a rich and interesting history? Then maybe Vietnam is the country for you. Vietnam is a country of contrasts; while the strong influence of it’s colonial past and it’s heritage are clearly visible, it’s main cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh are becoming increasingly urbanised and modern thus offering travellers the best of both worlds.

With an extensive coastline – which means the beach is never too far away – you will have the opportunity to dive, surf and take part in a variety of exiting and fun beach activities (which is also a good way to meet people and make friends), while being only a stone’s throw from other exotic Southeast Asian destinations such as Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. Vietnam is also famous for its majestic waterfalls and spectacular landscapes, which aside from taking your breath away also serve as peaceful retreats for the city dweller; great locations to pursue hobbies like photography/painting/sketching skills in your spare time or find inspiration for your next piece of writing/poetry perhaps?

Enticed by the prospect? To prepare yourself for Teaching English in Vietnam, you will need to have a TEFL qualification. Most TEFL courses do require you to to hold a Bachelor’s degree and will usually be priced between £600 and £900 on an average, in Vietnam. This will include flight, insurance, accommodation and your TEFL Certification. Combine this with an affordable average living cost of £200 to £300 per month – depending on lifestyle –  and you will be ready for your extravagant Vietnamese journey! Click here to find out more about Visa requirements and how to apply.

If this sounds like something you’d like to do, click here  for a comprehensive list of companies which offer opportunities at varying prices and experience levels. With the surge in tourism and international business relations in Vietnam, there is an increased demand for English teachers in Vietnam, especially those with recognised TEFL qualifications. So if you are TEFL certified, teaching English in Vietnam could be a great way to kick-start your TEFL teaching career.

In Vietnam, not only is there a plethora of TEFL jobs available but it’s also an amazing place to work; especially the more you get to know the local people and begin to appreciate their unquestionable optimism. It’s a fantastic place to live with beautiful scenery, exciting nightlife that ranges from fantastic nightclubs to extravagant beach parties. In addition, the cuisine is magnificent whether you choose to eat in the world-class restaurants that Vietnam is famous for, or  from the local street vendors whose delicious, rustic meals at unbelievably low prices are extremely hard to resist.

Get TEFL ing and throw yourself headfirst into an Asian adventure today!

Confused about which TEFL course is best for you?

Want to know more about life in Vietnam?

Thinking of teaching english in Vietnam and have questions about working there?

Feel free to leave your questions and comments below…

Thank you