Expat Connect

OUR FRUITFUL SUCCESS IN JOB PLACEMENT – 2025 RECAP 🌏📚
Shared by Expat Connect

As we reflect on 2025, we are proud to look back on a year of meaningful growth — supporting international teachers in building their teaching careers across Vietnam.
✔️ 60+ teachers successfully placed within our partner schools & language center systems
✔️ 40+ teachers continuing to work long-term within one center network — receiving consistently positive feedback on academic support, management, and teaching environment

At Expat Connect, job placement is not simply about filling vacancies.
Our focus is aligning the right teachers with the right institutions for long-term success and stability.

Our Placement Support Includes:
• CV review & introduction video guidance
• Insights into Vietnam’s ESL market — hiring demand, workload & living expectations
• Direct school matching, interview & demo preparation
• Contract review & legal guidance (Visa, Work Permit, TRC, document legalization)

We accompany our teachers from the application stage through onboarding — ensuring legal employment status and a smooth transition into Vietnam.

🌎Expansion Plan – 2026
We are continuing to expand our partner network, particularly within language center systems across:
Buon Ma Thuot | Ha Long | Vinh – Nghe An | Viet Tri | Ninh Binh | Phu Ly | Thai Binh | Nam Dinh

With an estimated 30 new branches opening in 2026, we anticipate increasing demand for qualified ESL teachers in both emerging and developing cities.

At Expat Connect, we believe:
The right guidance at the beginning shapes a teacher’s entire journey in Vietnam — and we remain committed to providing that foundation.

📚 TYPE OF POSITIONS NEEDED FOR EACH HIRING SEASON IN VIETNAM
Academic insight – Shared by Expat Connect

Based on our recruitment and placement experience across Vietnam, the demand for expat teachers varies by hiring season and academic calendar.

🔹 1. Summer Hiring Season (May – July)
During summer break, public schools close while private education demand increases.

Most required positions:
• Kindergarten / Preschool teachers (year-round roles)
• Private language center instructors
• Summer camps & intensive ESL programs
📌 Ideal application time: From March onwards

🔹 2. New Academic Year Hiring Season (July – October)
This is the largest recruitment period in Vietnam.
International Schools
• Start: Early July (training & onboarding)
• Apply from: February
Public Schools
• Start: Late August – September
• Apply from: May onwards

Common roles:
• ESL teachers
• Homeroom teachers
• Subject teachers (Math, Science, ICT…)

🔎 Market Observation from Expat Connect
• Peak hiring: Aug – Sept
• Secondary wave: Post-Tet (Jan – Feb)
• Language centers: Hire year-round

We hope this overview helps teachers plan their job search timeline and secure the right opportunity in Vietnam.

📩 Contact Expat Connect for personalized job guidance & placement support

Send a message to learn more

WHY VIETNAM IS THE SMART MOVE FOR YOUR TEACHING CAREER 🇻🇳

Looking to build a strong teaching career in Asia while enjoying a great lifestyle? Vietnam is no longer a backup option — it’s a strategic career destination for international educators.

🚀 A Powerful Career Launchpad
Vietnam is the ideal stepping stone for teachers planning to move on to high-demand markets such as China, Korea, or Japan.
✔ Wide range of teaching environments:
-International & bilingual schools
- Public (government) schools
-Private language centers
✔ Flexible entry requirements compared to other Asian countries
✔ One of Asia’s strongest IELTS teaching markets
Vietnam offers abundant opportunities to gain real IELTS classroom experience, develop academic teaching skills, and strengthen your professional profile for future career growth.

💰 Excellent Salary-to-Lifestyle Balanc
Vietnam is well known for its affordable cost of living combined with competitive teaching salaries.
- Reasonable housing costs
- Low daily living expenses
- Comfortable lifestyle with real saving potential
Perfect for both new teachers and experienced educators looking for financial balance.

🌏 Work, Live & Explore
Teaching in Vietnam means experiencing one of Southeast Asia’s most exciting countries.
- Welcoming culture and friendly local communities
- Rich history, vibrant cities, and beautiful landscapes
-Easy travel within Vietnam and across the region
-Healthy work–life balance

📄 Simple & Supported Legal Process
Vietnam offers a clear and efficient visa and work permit pathway when guided by the right agency.
✔ Professional support with Work Permit (WP) & TRC
✔ Transparent document requirements
✔ Fast entry visa process
✔ Legal employment with long-term stability

✨ Vietnam is not just a destination — it’s a career strategy.
Start smart, gain experience, and grow your teaching future in
Asia.

🔎 VISA STAMP CHECKLIST – FROM EXPAT CONNECT

Before leaving the Vietnam Embassy or airport, please take a moment to double-check your visa stamp to avoid unnecessary delays or legal issues later.

1️⃣ Visa stamped at a Vietnam Embassy
(In your home country or another country)
✔ Visa validity period (start & expiry date)
✔ Full name (must match passport exactly)
✔ Visa type / symbol (DN1 / LD / DL, etc.)
➡ All details must match your invitation letter and passport.

2️⃣ Visa stamped at Vietnam Airport (Visa on Arrival)
✔ Passport number
✔ Visa duration written on the stamp
✔ Visa type / symbol
⚠ Any errors should be corrected immediately at the airport.

📌 A quick check now can save you major problems later.

— Expat Connect
Supporting teachers & employers with visa and work-permit guidance in Vietnam 🇻🇳

✅ JOB EXPECTATION CHECKLIST FOR CANDIDATES
Shared by EXPAT CONNECT

Before applying or accepting a teaching job in Vietnam, please make sure your expectations align with reality. This helps teachers work smoothly and long-term.

🔎 Position & Teaching

- Teaching level: Kids / Teens / Adults
- Working place: Public school / Language center / Mixed
- Teaching hours per week: ___
- Schedule: Weekdays / Weekends / Split shifts
- Lesson plan & materials: Provided / Self-prepared

💰 Salary & Benefits
- Expected salary range: ___ VND/hour or/month
- Paid or unpaid holidays
- Housing allowance: Yes / No
- Salary payment time: On-time & clear

📄 Legal Documents
- Work Permit support: Yes / No
-TRC support: Yes / No
- Degree & certificates ready and legalized
- Police check available

📍 Location & Lifestyle
- Preferred city/province: ___
- Willing to work in smaller cities: Yes / No
- Contract length expectation: 1 year / Longer

🤝 Professional Attitude
- On-time & committed
- Open to feedback and training
- Stable mindset for long-term work
- Respect local culture & school rules

📌 Candidates with clear expectations = faster placement & better jobs.

📩 For support and matching, stay connected with EXPAT CONNECT.

📌 WORK PERMIT DOCUMENTS FOR TEACHERS COMING TO VIETNAM
(For teachers who have NEVER worked or lived in Vietnam)

Planning to teach in Vietnam?
Make sure you prepare the correct documents BEFORE arrival 👇

✅ Required Documents for Vietnam Work Permit
📄 University Degree
📄 Teaching Certificate (TESOL / TEFL – minimum 120 hours)
📄 Language Proficiency Certificate (for non-native teachers)
– EF SET C1
– APTIS
– VSTEP (issued in Vietnam)
– IELTS 7.5+
📄 Reference Letter – 3 years teaching experience
👉 Optional, but some employers/provinces require it

⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTES – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
✔️ Bring BOTH originals & copies
✔️ Documents must be notarised and legalised in the country of issuance
✔️ The Vietnam Embassy in that same country must stamp the documents
❌ If you notarise in one country, you cannot legalise in Vietnam or another country

Preparing your documents correctly =
✔️ Faster work permit
✔️ Fewer problems
✔️ Less cost & stress

💬 Need guidance?
Expat Connect supports teachers with legal, stable, and long-term jobs in Vietnam.

📩 Message us for support.

Send a message to learn more

🇵🇭 OEC GUIDANCE FOR FILIPINO TEACHERS
[Shared by experience from EXPAT CONNECT]

If you’re a Filipino teacher going to work in Vietnam, OEC is mandatory before leaving the Philippines.
✅ What to prepare in the Philippines:
1️⃣ Register an online OEC account (DMW / POEA system)
2️⃣ Prepare personal documents
- Passport
- CV
- Diploma & TOR
- TESOL/TEFL (if any)
3️⃣ Get employment documents from Vietnam employer
- Job offer / Contract
- BUSINESS VISA LETTER
4️⃣ Book OEC appointment & attend verification

⚠️ Do not exit PH without OEC (risk of offloading)

🤝 Expat Connect supports Filipino teachers with clear guidance & employer coordination.

WHICH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TESTS ARE ACCEPTED FOR WORK PERMIT IN VIETNAM?

✅ BASIC CRITERIA FOR ESL TEACHERS TO FIND A JOB IN VIETNAM
(For Entry-Level & Non-Native Teachers)

At Expat Connect, based on our years of recruitment experience working with language centers and public schools across Vietnam, we’d like to share the core criteria schools truly look for when hiring entry-level and non-native ESL teachers.

1️⃣ Clear English Communication
You do not need a native accent.
What matters most is that your English is:
- Clear and understandable
- Confident when speaking
- Effective for classroom instructions and interaction
👉 Schools care more about how well students understand you than where you come from.

2️⃣ Positive Energy & Teaching Attitude
- Many employers value energy and attitude even more than experience.
- They look for teachers who are:
- Enthusiastic and friendly
- Motivated to teach and improve
- Comfortable engaging with students
👉 A teacher with good energy is often preferred over a teacher with many years of experience but low engagement.

3️⃣ Know Your Strongest Student Group
To increase your chances of being hired, clearly identify which student group you teach best:
- 👶 Young learners
- 👦 Teenagers
- 👩‍🎓 Adults
- 🔤 Beginners
👉 When you know your strength, recruiters and schools can match you faster and more accurately with suitable positions.

4️⃣ Basic Teaching Awareness
- Entry-level teachers are not expected to be experts, but you should understand:
- Basic lesson structure (warm-up, presentation, practice, production)
- Classroom instructions and management
- Simple teaching techniques: games, repetition, activities, TPR
👉 Many schools in Vietnam are willing to provide training if you show teaching awareness and willingness to learn.

5️⃣ Professional Mindset
- Professionalism is a key hiring factor:
- Be punctual and well-prepared
- Follow school regulations
- Accept feedback and improve
- Show responsibility and commitment
👉 Schools prefer teachers who want long-term stability, not short-term trials.

🎯 Final Note from Expat Connect
Many schools in Vietnam are open to entry-level and non-native teachers if you demonstrate:
✔ Clear English
✔ Positive energy
✔ The right teaching attitude

At Expat Connect, we don’t just help you find a job —
we help you prepare, place, and succeed in Vietnam legally and sustainably.

📩 Follow our page for more real recruitment insights, job updates, and legal guidance.

🌍 BASIC CRITERIA TO FIND AN ESL JOB IN VIETNAM
(For Entry-Level & Non-Native Teachers)

Based on our years of recruitment experience, these are the key points schools look for:
✅ Clear English communication
You don’t need a native accent—clarity and confidence matter most.
✅ Positive energy & attitude
Friendly, enthusiastic teachers always stand out to employers.
✅ Know your strongest student group
Young learners | Teenagers | Adults | Beginners
Focus on what you teach best.

💡 Many schools in Vietnam are open to training entry-level teachers who show the right mindset and potential.

📩 Planning to teach in Vietnam?
Follow Expat Connect for real recruitment insights, job tips, and visa guidance.