Vietnam
Qualifications
No qualifications are required to teach in Vietnam, however, the more qualifications you have, the better your job prospects will be and the more money you can command. More recently, degrees are necessary for a visa, but many people are still teaching without a degree. Official policy is not always carried out. Good qualifications include a university degree, TEFL certificate and some teaching experience. Like most countries, the higher paying jobs come only after you have been there for awhile. Who you know is very important.
Appearance is very important when looking for a job. If you look like a backpacker, expect to not be treated very seriously. Professional attire is expected. Most schools hire in-country as schools do not want to bother with the hiring process for someone who may not even show up.
Types of English teaching jobs
Most of the teaching jobs are in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) or to a lesser degree, in the capital of Hanoi. Expect to be teaching in a language schools, teaching students of all ages. There is also work in universities, but the pay is lower than in the language schools.
Salary
Salaries range from $10-$18 US/hour, depending on the school and your qualifications. This is not far removed from what language schools in North America pay, but things are a fraction of the cost. Your money goes a long way in Vietnam and you can certainly enjoy yourself on this income. Schools that pay monthly go from $1000-1400 US/month.
Working conditions
Visas are a real pain when it comes to teaching in Vietnam (did I mention this is a Communist country?). Work visas are difficult to obtain, so most teachers live and work on a business visa, which the school will sponsor you for. Most teachers arrive on a tourist visa and after they find a job, they then get it changed to a business visa. Most teachers work 15-25 hours/week, but can often work more if ambitious.
General information
Vietnam may be one of the hidden jewels of the English teaching world. You do not have to commit yourself to a year long contract, like many other countries and the income you earn can allow you to live a very comfortable lifestyle. Most teachers are very happy about their life in Vietnam.
You can stay in hotels for as low as $5-10 US/night in HCMC while you look for an apartment for around $120-$200 US/month. When you compare this to Japan, where you can easily spend $80-100/day looking for a place to work and live, this is a bargain.
Links
http://www.mekongesl.com/ Great source for information
http://vnexpat.com/ (Forum for expats)
http://www.livinginvietnam.com/ (Living in Vietnam/Travel)
http://www.vietventures.com/ (Vietnam Information Guide)
http://www.mekongesl.com/teachingvn.html#conditions03 – FAQ on Vietnam
http://mekongesl.gotop100.com - Top Vietnam sites
