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
Non-Immigrant B visa converted to a work permit. Bachelor's required. TEFL certificate strongly preferred and required for the teacher license. Many teachers start on a tourist visa and convert after hiring.
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
Vietnam
Over 100 Paid Positions in Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Barcelona, Madrid, Prague (Czech Republic), Costa Rica, Mexico - no experience necessary
TEFL Heaven · Madrid, Spain
Academic Tutor - English Literature, Maths, Science and Primary Tutors in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
International Tutor Group · Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
[Hanoi] Full-time Secondary Public-school Teachers - Sep 2026- Hanoi, Vietnam
Atlantic Five-Star English · Hanoi, Vietnam
Academic Tutor – English Literature, Maths, Science and Primary Tutors in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
International Tutor Group · Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Teach English in Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh) No Degree- we can help. Paid flights
Asia Teaching Jobs · Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
VUS Hiring ESL TEACHERS for over 70 centers across Vietnam! Join us now!
VUS - The English Center · :
Thailand
Over 100 Paid Positions in Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Barcelona, Madrid, Prague (Czech Republic), Costa Rica, Mexico - no experience necessary
TEFL Heaven · Madrid, Spain
Secondary English Teacher Needed in Nakhon Nayok , Thailand
MediaKids Academy · Thailand
Secondary English Teacher Needed in Uttaradit, Thailand
MediaKids Academy · Thailand
Secondary English Teachers - Udon Thani, Thailand
MediaKids Academy · Thailand
Teach in Thailand with BFITS
BFITS Thailand | Bright Future International Training and Services Thailand · Thailand
Secondary English Teachers - Udon Thani, Thailand
MediaKids Academy · 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?
Some agencies will hire you without one initially, but you cannot get the formal teacher license without TEFL coursework. Get certified before or shortly after arrival.
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.