Comparison
Teach English in Vietnam vs Thailand
Lifestyle-focused teacher choosing between Southeast Asia's two most popular destinations.
Vietnam pays roughly 30 to 50 percent more than Thailand for similar roles. Thailand has stronger lifestyle pull and more vacation. Vietnam's hiring is hotter right now; Thailand's market is mature and steady.
Vietnam
Booming demand, low cost of living, and flexible hours.
Salary
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.
Visa
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.
Best for
Teachers who want flexible hours, a strong expat community, and a low cost of living. Hanoi and HCMC are very different cities — pick deliberately.
Thailand
Lifestyle-first teaching with lower pay and lots of vacation.
Salary
Government schools: 30k to 45k THB per month. Bilingual schools: 45k to 70k THB. International schools: 80k to 150k THB. Language centers pay hourly, 400 to 700 THB per hour.
Visa
Three separate things are involved: a Non-Immigrant B visa, a work permit from Thailand's Ministry of Labour (applied for by your employer), and, for school teaching, permission or a licence from the Teachers' Council of Thailand. A bachelor's degree is the usual baseline for school roles. A TEFL certificate is something many schools and agencies ask for, but the Teachers' Council's published criteria for a foreign teacher's temporary teaching permission do not mention one. Embassies describe applying for the Non-Immigrant B visa from abroad; whether you can convert from another visa inside Thailand depends on your situation and current rules, so confirm with your school.
Best for
Teachers prioritizing lifestyle, climate, and travel access. Not optimal if your goal is paying off student loans fast.
Open positions, side by side
Thailand
NES English Conversation Teachers
Sine Education Service Co., Ltd · Thailand
Teach English in Thailand – Get Paid, Housing & Arrival Support
Gloading · Various
English Teacher
Sirimongkolsuksa Bangbuathong School · Nonthaburi, Thailand
Full-time Female FilipinoTeacher
Anubanlatyao School · Nakhon Sawan, Thailand
Filipina English Teachers
Kid Able Language School · Suphan Buri, Thailand
NES / Non-NES English Teacher
MediaKids Academy Thailand · Nong Khai, Thailand
Common questions
Vietnam
Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City?
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
Are non-native English speakers hireable?
Yes for many language centers, especially with a CELTA or strong references. International schools still strongly prefer native speakers.
Thailand
Can I teach in Thailand without a TEFL?
Many schools and agencies ask for a TEFL, and some will hire without one, so employer requirements vary. A TEFL is an employer preference, not what the Teachers' Council criteria for temporary teaching permission list (age 20 or over and a degree or qualification, with permission granted to the school for the individual). Licensing and visa rules change, so confirm with your school and the Teachers' Council before you rely on any of this.
Thailand
Is Bangkok the best place to teach?
It has the most jobs and the highest pay, but Chiang Mai has lower cost of living and a stronger expat community. Beach towns have fewer jobs and lower pay.
