The Best Paid TEFL Internships In Vietnam
Last Updated on March 10, 2024
Vietnam has quickly become one of Asia’s top destinations for new and aspiring English teachers. With a booming demand for English education, affordable cost of living, and a landscape that spans misty mountains to buzzing motorbike-filled cities, it’s the perfect place to begin your TEFL journey.
Paid TEFL internships in Vietnam offer the ideal bridge between getting certified and stepping into a real classroom. These programs provide structured training, guaranteed placements, and crucial support—perfect for anyone looking to teach, travel, and build a new life abroad with confidence.
Why Consider a Paid TEFL Internship in Vietnam?
Starting out in a new country can feel like a lot—navigating visas, finding a job, understanding local expectations. Paid TEFL internships simplify that process by giving you a clear, supported path into teaching. Instead of landing in Vietnam and trying to figure things out on the fly, you’ll arrive with a plan, a community, and a job waiting for you.
Most internships bundle TEFL certification with placement, so you not only gain credentials but also practical experience—without the stress of competing in the job market as a total beginner. And with the cost of living in Vietnam being relatively low, the salary or stipend included is often enough to live comfortably while you find your feet.
- Guaranteed placement: Skip the stress of job hunting in a foreign country.
- Upfront support: Get help with visas, housing, and cultural transition.
- Local salary: Internships include a monthly stipend or full salary that covers your living costs.
- TEFL certification included: Most programs combine training with teaching experience, giving you both the credentials and real-world skills.
Whether you're just out of university, making a career change, or testing the waters before long-term teaching, an internship is a safe and supported way to get started in Vietnam.
What to Expect from a TEFL Internship in Vietnam
A paid TEFL internship in Vietnam is more than just a teaching job—it’s a complete launchpad into life abroad. These programs are built to take the guesswork out of moving to a new country. You won’t be scrambling to sort out documents, find housing, or figure out where to start. Instead, you’ll step into a structured experience that gets you trained, placed, and supported from day one.
Most internships begin with a TEFL course—either online beforehand or in person when you arrive. After training, you’ll move into a guaranteed teaching placement that typically lasts 3 to 6 months. During that time, you’ll earn a monthly stipend or full salary that covers your basic living expenses, giving you the freedom to enjoy local food, weekend travel, and everyday life in Vietnam.
Expect to be placed in a variety of educational settings—from lively kindergartens and after-school language centers to more formal public school classrooms. Placements are often in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, or in regional towns where demand for English teachers is growing fast.
You’ll also get visa support, in-country guidance, and help with accommodation—either included as part of your package or arranged through your program.
What most internships include:
- A TEFL certification course (online or in-person)
- A guaranteed teaching placement (often 3–6 months)
- Monthly pay or stipend to cover living expenses
- Visa guidance, onboarding, and local support
- Orientation activities and cultural immersion
- Accommodation (included or arranged)
Some internships begin with online TEFL training and follow up with in-country orientation before placement. Others offer in-person training at the start. Most internships place you in kindergartens, language centers, or public schools across cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or Da Nang.
Best Paid TEFL Internships in Vietnam
🇻🇳 AVSE Vietnam TEFL Internship
AVSE is one of the few TEFL internships in Vietnam that begins with in-person training on arrival, offering a full 4-week TESOL course in either Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or the charming riverside town of Hoi An. This format is ideal for anyone who learns best face-to-face or wants to start their adventure already immersed in the local culture.
Once you’ve completed the course, you’ll begin a 5-month paid placement in a Vietnamese school, with options ranging from kindergartens to language centers. The program includes accommodation during training, visa support, job placement assistance, and continued help with cultural adjustment. AVSE is particularly well-known for its strong in-country support team and its focus on helping teachers build confidence, not just complete a contract.
🇻🇳 TEFL Org – Vietnam Internship
TEFL Org’s internship in Vietnam starts with a 120-hour online TEFL course, making it a flexible option for those who want to get certified before traveling. After completing the course, you’ll be placed in a 5-month paid teaching role, typically in a public school or language center in cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
The internship includes a monthly stipend to cover living expenses, and you’ll also get visa guidance, airport pickup, and help arranging accommodation. This program is especially well-suited for first-time teachers who want the safety net of a recognized TEFL provider with a clear step-by-step entry into Vietnam’s teaching market.
🇻🇳 The TEFL Academy – Vietnam Internship
With a strong reputation in the TEFL space, The TEFL Academy offers a Level 5 TEFL qualification paired with a 5-month teaching internship in Vietnam. Training is completed online, allowing for flexibility in scheduling and prep time. Once in-country, you’ll receive an orientation and then head into your placement—usually a language center or school in a major city.
Interns are paid a monthly local salary, and the program offers support with housing arrangements, work permits, and cultural integration. Open to both degree and non-degree holders, this internship is great for those who want a balance of independence and structured support while launching their TEFL journey.
🇻🇳 Premier TEFL – Vietnam Semester Internship
Premier TEFL’s Vietnam Semester Internship is designed for those who want the freedom of online training, followed by a fully-supported in-person experience. The program includes a 120-hour TEFL course, pre-departure coaching, and a 5-month teaching placement in a local school or center.
What sets this program apart is its level of hand-holding—orientation accommodation, airport pickup, and local mentorship are all included. Interns receive a monthly salary that covers living costs comfortably in Vietnam. If you’re looking for an internship that offers a high level of structure without sacrificing adventure, this is a solid pick.
🇻🇳 TEFL UK – Vietnam Internship
TEFL UK’s internship starts with an online TEFL certification, which you can complete at your own pace before flying to Vietnam. The program then transitions into a paid teaching placement, usually lasting around five months, in schools across a variety of cities—not just the usual hotspots.
You’ll receive help with accommodation arrangements, work permits, and placement matching, along with a local salary that allows you to live comfortably. TEFL UK’s strength lies in its flexibility and customization, making it a strong option for those who want more control over their timeline and teaching environment.
🇻🇳 TEFL Institute of Ireland – Vietnam Internship
This internship from the TEFL Institute of Ireland combines a Level 5 TEFL certification, personalized onboarding, and a 4.5–5 month teaching placement in Vietnamese schools. It’s open to those with or without teaching experience and provides a monthly salary that supports daily life in Vietnam.
You’ll get pre-departure training, help with flights and visas, assistance finding housing, and a warm welcome from an in-country team. What makes this program appealing is its strong emphasis on teacher wellbeing—ideal for those looking for a smooth and human-centered transition into teaching abroad.
How to Choose the Right Internship in Vietnam
Not all internships are built the same, and the right one for you depends on how you want to live, learn, and teach while you're in Vietnam. Some programs are perfect for those craving big-city life, while others offer a slower pace in smaller towns. Likewise, some internships emphasize personal support and cultural immersion, while others focus on getting you certified and into the classroom quickly.
Here are a few key things to think about before committing:
- Placement location: Big city (HCMC/Hanoi) or quieter provincial towns?
- TEFL course format: Is training online or in-person?
- Pay structure: Monthly stipend vs. full salary?
- Accommodation: Included, arranged, or self-managed?
- Duration: Most internships last 3–6 months—does that fit your plan?
- Support: What’s provided in terms of visa help, orientation, or ongoing guidance?
If you prefer having your hand held a bit at the beginning, choose a program with strong in-country support. If you're confident going solo, a more hands-off internship could still give you the essentials while offering greater independence.
Who These Internships Are Best For
Paid TEFL internships are ideal for people who want a structured, supported way into teaching abroad—without the pressure of figuring everything out alone. They’re especially helpful for anyone who’s new to education, living overseas, or navigating foreign work requirements.
These programs are also a great match if you're still deciding whether teaching long-term is the right fit. With a short-term commitment, solid training, and guaranteed placement, they give you the experience you need without locking you into anything beyond your comfort zone.
- First-time teachers seeking real experience
- Travelers who want structure before going solo
- Non-degree holders who need extra guidance into the market
- Career changers testing the waters before committing long-term
Final Thoughts
Vietnam offers one of the most exciting, affordable, and dynamic settings to begin your TEFL adventure. A paid internship is the perfect way to ease into the lifestyle while gaining hands-on experience in a new culture. With several trusted programs offering training, placement, and support, it’s never been easier to make the leap into teaching abroad in Vietnam.
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