Teaching English Online from Vietnam: A Complete Guide

Vietnam has quietly become one of Southeast Asia’s most attractive bases for remote teachers. With its mix of modern cities, affordable living, and a laid-back lifestyle, it’s no surprise that online English teachers are setting up their laptops here. Whether you’re calling lessons from a rooftop café in Da Nang or prepping for a class from a Hanoi coworking space, Vietnam makes it easy to blend work and adventure.

The infrastructure is more reliable than many expect—fiber-optic internet is widely available in cities, and mobile data is fast and cheap. At the same time, rent, food, and transport remain incredibly budget-friendly, which means online teachers can enjoy a higher quality of life than in many Western countries, even on modest hourly rates.

What’s also interesting is how many English teachers in Vietnam now use online teaching as a way to smooth out income. You might teach kids at a language center in the evening and hop on Cambly or Zoom calls during the day. Others skip the classroom entirely and go all-in online, giving them the freedom to move, travel, or live anywhere with a solid internet connection.

Who This Guide Is For

This guide is for anyone thinking about using Vietnam as their base while teaching English online. That might mean digital nomads who want to live abroad while earning remotely, or it could be full-time classroom teachers looking to make a little extra on the side.

If you’re already teaching English in Vietnam, adding a few online lessons to your week can offer financial security, flexibility, or even a long-term plan if you decide to leave the classroom. And if you're coming in as a remote worker from the start, Vietnam offers a smooth landing—welcoming locals, a well-connected expat community, and a culture that makes it easy to settle in without feeling stuck.

Whether you're dreaming of long stays by the beach or fast-paced city living, Vietnam lets you blend remote teaching with a lifestyle that’s hard to beat.

Internet, Infrastructure, and Work Environment

If you’re planning to teach English online from Vietnam, you’ll be happy to know the country has solid digital infrastructure—especially in the major hubs of Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang. High-speed fiber internet is common in most apartments and coworking spaces, and mobile data is both fast and affordable. A 4G SIM card with a generous monthly data plan typically costs less than $10, and 5G is already rolling out in major areas.

Vietnam also happens to be a café lover’s dream. In cities like HCMC and Hanoi, you’ll find a mix of stylish cafés and quiet spots perfect for remote work—with power outlets, strong Wi-Fi, and great coffee for under $2. If you prefer more structure or reliable backup during teaching hours, coworking spaces like The Hive, CirCO, Toong, and Enouvo Space offer comfortable, professional setups with flexible pricing.

Accommodation is also very online-teacher friendly. Many short-term rentals and serviced apartments come pre-furnished with fast Wi-Fi and work-friendly layouts. If you’re planning to teach from home, make sure your place has strong air conditioning, a backup fan (for the hot season), and ideally, a quiet environment.

Teaching online while traveling through smaller towns or rural areas is doable—but requires more preparation. Always test internet speeds ahead of time, consider using a mobile hotspot as backup, and schedule classes around any potential power outages or Wi-Fi dropouts. The more remote you go, the more important it is to have a contingency plan.

Types of Online English Teaching Jobs Available

Online English teaching has evolved well beyond just chatting with kids or doing conversation classes. From business English to test prep, there are now multiple paths to earning a decent income online while based in Vietnam. Here's a breakdown of the main job types.

Global Platforms

The most accessible route for many teachers is signing up with international platforms. Sites like Cambly, Preply, italki, AmazingTalker, and Engoo let you teach students from all over the world. These platforms vary in style—some are marketplace-based (you create your profile and set your own rates), while others assign students and fixed schedules.

Requirements differ. Some, like Cambly, don’t require a degree or experience, while others expect TEFL certification, a native-level accent, and prior teaching background. Pay can range anywhere from $8–$25 per hour depending on the platform, your niche, and how well you market yourself.

Most students come from Asia, Latin America, or the Middle East—meaning your timezone in Vietnam is a bonus. You’ll often be working peak hours for students in Korea, China, or Japan, which fits well with a Vietnam-based schedule.

👉 For a breakdown of top platforms, visit our full Teach English Online guide.

Vietnamese Online Companies

While not as global in reach, there are also a handful of Vietnam-based or Vietnam-focused companies offering online English lessons. These often cater to young learners, high school students preparing for exams, or professionals looking to improve their business English or test scores (like IELTS).

These jobs may be advertised on local expat groups or through language centers. Some schools even offer hybrid roles, where you teach part-time in person and part-time online. It’s worth reaching out to language schools directly—especially if you're already teaching for them in-person—to ask about online teaching opportunities.

Local companies may pay slightly less than international ones, but they often come with more stable hours and repeat students, especially during exam season.

Freelance and Private Students

One of the most rewarding and flexible options is going freelance. Many teachers in Vietnam build a personal roster of online students—either Vietnamese learners or international clients. Platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Telegram groups can be useful for networking and promoting your services.

You can also attract students via global marketplaces like Preply or AmazingTalker, then eventually transition them off-platform. Just be mindful of each platform’s policies.

Freelancing lets you set your own rates (often $20–$40/hr or more for niche lessons like test prep or business English), choose your ideal students, and control your schedule. It takes a bit more effort to build a client base, but over time, it offers the most income potential and independence.

For long-term success, focus on delivering value, asking for referrals, and collecting reviews or testimonials. And don’t underestimate how important it is to maintain a professional online setup—good lighting, clear audio, and strong internet all make a big impression.

Visa Options and Legal Considerations

Vietnam doesn’t currently offer a specific digital nomad or remote-work visa, but several flexible routes allow long-term stays while working online.

Short- to Long-Term Tourist & e‑Visas

• Vietnam issues e‑Visas up to 90 days, often allowing single- or multiple-entry stays.
• Tourist visas can also be extended or renewed via border runs, which many online workers rely on ().

Golden / Investor / Talent Visas (in progress)

• A new “Golden Visa” is being piloted, offering 5–10 year residency for investors, professionals, and tourists in select provinces including Hanoi, HCMC, and Da Nang.
• Final details and eligibility requirements are yet to be released.

Work Permits for English Teachers

• Teaching legally in a classroom setting requires a work permit (LD visa). Schools typically sponsor it and handle much of the paperwork .
• Requirements include a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent teaching experience), a TEFL certificate, criminal and health checks, and officially notarized documents.

Grey Area: Teaching Online Remotely

• If you're teaching entirely online for clients outside Vietnam, many operate using tourist or e‑Visas and avoid formal work permits.
• It’s technically in a legal grey area—immigration rules forbid local employment—but enforcement is rare, and nearly all nomads operate this way.

Policy vs Practice

• Many online teachers use visa runs or renewals to stay longer, which is tolerated as long as it’s not classroom-based employment.
• For in-person teaching, schools expect full legal compliance; working without a permit risks deportation or bans.

Cost of Living vs. Online Teaching Income

Vietnam’s affordability is a major draw for online teachers. Here’s what to expect in key cities:

1. Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC)

• Rent: $300–600/month for a modest one-bedroom.
• Utilities, food, transport: $300–400.
• Total monthly budget: $700–1,000.

2. Hanoi

• Rent: $250–500, slightly cheaper than HCMC.
• Basic living costs: $250–350.
• Total budget: $600–900.

3. Da Nang

• Rent: $250–500, similar to Hanoi.
• Living costs: $250–350.
• Total budget: $600–900.

(Rural and coastal areas can be even cheaper, though they may offer less infrastructure for online teaching.)

Online Income Benchmarks

• Entry-level platforms: $8–15/hr.
• TEFL-certified specialists (e.g., certified/experienced): $15–25/hr.
• Freelance test-prep or business English: $20–40+/hr.

Monthly Income Scenarios

• Teaching 25 hrs/week at $12/hr: ≈$1,200/month → covers basic cost of living.
• At $20/hr for 20 hrs/week: $1,600/month → comfortable quality of life with savings.
• With 30 hrs/week in higher niches, income can reach $2,400+.

Combining Income Sources
Many teachers supplement by combining:

• Classroom jobs with a sponsored work permit paying $1,100–1,800/month.
• Side-income from online platforms or private tutoring to boost total monthly earnings to $2,500+.

With smart scheduling, online teaching alone can fund a comfortable life in Vietnam—or provide a lucrative top-up to in-person contracts.

Best Cities in Vietnam for Online Teachers

Vietnam has a handful of cities that are especially appealing for online English teachers—each offering a different pace of life, vibe, and cost profile. Here's a quick guide to help you find your ideal base.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Fast-paced, buzzing with energy, and full of entrepreneurial spirit, HCMC is a favorite for digital workers. It has some of the fastest internet in the country, tons of modern coworking spaces, and a massive café culture. If you like variety, international food, and a large expat network, this is your city. Rent tends to be higher than elsewhere, but opportunities—both in teaching and in side projects—are abundant.

Hanoi

Vietnam’s cultural and political capital has a slower rhythm than Saigon but is just as dynamic in its own way. It’s rich in tradition, more compact, and slightly cheaper. Many online teachers love Hanoi for its walkability, sense of history, and strong TEFL community. The weather gets colder in winter, but cozy cafés and a strong student population keep things lively year-round.

Da Nang

If your dream is to teach in the morning and head to the beach in the afternoon, Da Nang is probably your best bet. This coastal city offers a calm, laid-back lifestyle while still having reliable infrastructure and a small but active nomad scene. It’s especially attractive for people who want nature, ocean views, and fewer distractions. Bonus: it’s a great midpoint between the north and south if you plan to travel.

Emerging Spots: Hoi An, Nha Trang, and Beyond

Hoi An is a picturesque town just south of Da Nang, popular with creatives and slower-paced nomads. It's charming but can feel a bit sleepy long-term. Nha Trang, a beach town further south, has great weather and solid internet—but less of an international scene. Other places like Dalat and Hue can work short-term if you’re prepared for slower speeds and fewer expat amenities.

Pros and Cons of Teaching English Online from Vietnam

✅ Pros

• Affordable lifestyle – You can live well even on a modest online teacher’s income. Rent, food, and transport are all cheap compared to most Western countries.
• Strong infrastructure – Fast internet, great cafés, and coworking spaces make it easy to work productively.
• Ideal timezone – Vietnam’s GMT+7 timezone aligns perfectly with peak hours for students in Asia, especially China, Korea, and Japan.
• Community and culture – Vietnam is full of expats and digital nomads, with lots of opportunities to make friends, explore local life, and enjoy weekend adventures.

⚠️ Cons

• Visa uncertainty – Without a dedicated digital nomad visa, long-term stays often require workarounds like tourist visa renewals or border runs.
• Legal grey zones – Teaching online is generally tolerated, but technically not covered by any specific visa. You’ll need to navigate this carefully, especially if combining online and in-person work.
• Platform limitations – Some international platforms still pay in USD or to accounts not easily accessible in Vietnam. Be prepared with a Wise account or similar setup to receive funds reliably.
• Climate and environment – Cities can be hot, humid, and noisy. Air quality in Hanoi and Saigon isn’t always ideal, especially during dry season.

Despite the challenges, Vietnam remains one of the most rewarding and practical places in Asia to teach English online—offering a compelling mix of comfort, culture, and freedom.

Tips for Succeeding as an Online Teacher in Vietnam

Teaching online gives you flexibility—but it also requires structure, especially in a country as full of distractions as Vietnam. Here’s how to make the most of it.

Create a solid routine.
Set consistent working hours that align with your energy levels and your students' peak times (often evenings or early mornings). Avoid the trap of overworking just because your schedule is “flexible.”

Balance work with exploration.
One of the perks of living in Vietnam is the lifestyle. Plan your lessons around your surroundings—morning classes followed by street food and a scooter ride to the beach isn’t a bad rhythm to fall into. But don’t forget to rest. The heat, traffic, and constant stimulation can burn you out fast if you don’t pace yourself.

Avoid isolation.
Online teaching can be lonely if you’re not intentional about socializing. Join local expat groups on Facebook, check coworking events, or attend local language exchanges. In cities like Hanoi or HCMC, it’s easy to meet fellow teachers and nomads if you make the effort.

Use the right tools.

• Teaching platforms: Zoom, ClassIn, or KoalaGo for interactive lessons
• Scheduling: Calendly, Google Calendar, or the platform’s built-in tools
• Payments: Wise, Payoneer, or PayPal (check fees and reliability)
• Productivity: Notion or Trello for planning lessons and tracking students

The key is to find a system that fits your personality—and stick to it. Consistency matters as much online as it does in the classroom.

Is Teaching English Online from Vietnam Right for You?

If you're looking for a place where you can live affordably, enjoy rich culture, and still maintain a global income stream, Vietnam checks all the boxes. It's especially well-suited to:

• Digital nomads who want to settle for a while but still have the freedom to move
• In-person teachers who want to diversify their income or eventually shift online
• New teachers looking to gain experience without committing to a traditional school job

That said, teaching online from Vietnam isn't for everyone. If you're someone who needs legal certainty, a fixed long-term visa, or ultra-quiet teaching environments, it may be more challenging. But for those willing to work within the informal systems that many nomads operate under, it’s a rewarding and realistic option.

The smartest play? Many teachers start with a classroom job (which provides a visa and local stability), then layer in online work gradually. Others come in online-only and stay as long as visas and lifestyle allow. Either way, Vietnam is one of the most TEFL-friendly places on the map, and a solid launchpad for a remote teaching life.

Useful Resources and Next Steps

• Teach English in Vietnam – A full guide to in-person teaching, requirements, and lifestyle.
• English Teaching Jobs in Vietnam – Browse current openings at language centers and schools.
• Teach English Online Guide – Compare the best platforms and tips for getting started online.