Comparison
Teacher weighing structured contract income against lifestyle and flexibility.
Korea offers structure, contracts, and housing. Vietnam offers flexibility, lower cost of living, and an easier path for non-native English speakers. Korea is more lucrative on paper; Vietnam often nets out better for teachers who value time, autonomy, and travel.
EPIK, hagwons, and university roles. E-2 visa support is standard.
Public schools: 2.0M to 2.7M KRW per month with housing. Hagwons: 2.1M to 2.8M KRW with housing or stipend. Universities: 2.3M to 3.5M KRW with shorter contact hours.
E-2 visa for most roles. Requires a bachelor's degree, a clean criminal record check, and citizenship from one of seven approved countries (US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa). A 120-hour TEFL certificate is standard, sometimes required.
First-time teachers who want a structured contract with housing handled. Korea's system is the most beginner-friendly path into ESL.
Booming demand, low cost of living, and flexible hours.
Language centers: 1,400 to 2,200 USD per month. International schools: 2,500 to 4,500 USD. Pay is hourly for most center jobs, in the 18 to 25 USD per hour range. Cost of living is low enough that most teachers save 600 to 1,000 USD per month.
Work permit and temporary residence card. Requires bachelor's, 120-hour TEFL, criminal record check, and a health check. Native speaker preference but non-native teachers with a bachelor's in English or education are increasingly hired.
Teachers who want flexible hours, a strong expat community, and a low cost of living. Hanoi and HCMC are very different cities — pick deliberately.
Great Positions All Over Korea
eslteachingjobinasia.com · Various
Great Positions All Over Korea:
eslteachingjobinasia.com · Various
Kindergarten & Elementary English Teacher
Hanmaeum English Academy · Seoul, South Korea
Hagwons in & around Seoul, Private elementary school, Alternative International schools and various positions all over Korea!
SeoulESL - ESL Consulting · Yeoksam, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
We are looking for a dedicated and passionate native English teacher to work with us in Korea in 2026
VOU Agency · South Korea
Teaching Jobs Korea || Ft Placement Options Nationwide Korea || 2026 Listings || Apply Today
Teaching JOBS Korea · South Korea
South Korea
No. Most schools want monolingual English in the classroom. Picking up basics for daily life helps but is not a hiring requirement.
South Korea
Public schools (EPIK) recruit in two main intakes for March and September starts. Hagwons hire year-round but the biggest wave is February to April.
Vietnam
HCMC is hotter, busier, and has more job openings. Hanoi has four seasons, more historical character, and a tighter expat community. Pay is similar in both.
Vietnam
Yes for many language centers, especially with a CELTA or strong references. International schools still strongly prefer native speakers.