Teaching English in Vietnam: 8 Reasons TEFL Teachers Love Calling Hanoi Home

Teaching English in Vietnam offers more than just a job—it’s a gateway to a vibrant lifestyle full of cultural discovery, professional growth, and unforgettable experiences. As Vietnam’s bustling capital, Hanoi is a city of contrasts: ancient pagodas stand beside modern cafés, chaotic streets pulse with life, and hidden alleys lead to peaceful lakes.

For TEFL teachers, it’s not only a place to earn a living but to truly live. Whether you’re drawn by the high demand for English teachers, the low cost of living, or the thriving expat community, Hanoi provides the perfect balance of opportunity and adventure.

The TEFL Academy’s alumna Taylor spent a number of years teaching English in Hanoi. Here she gives us the low-down on what you can expect. If you’re wondering where to begin your teaching journey abroad, here’s why Hanoi might just be the ideal base for you.

Is Hanoi a good city for TEFL teachers?

When I first moved to Hanoi to teach English, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I didn’t know anyone, I hadn’t visited before, I didn’t speak the language, and I had no clue what to expect.

I gave myself three months to see if living in Hanoi was for me… Three years later, I can confidently say it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. 

Hanoi has this energy: vibrant, unpredictable, and full of contrast. It’s chaotic in all the right ways, but also deeply grounding. As a TEFL teacher, it gave me not only a rewarding career but an incredible lifestyle filled with travel, connection, and growth.

If you’re wondering whether to make the move, here are 8 reasons why Hanoi makes such a brilliant base for English teachers:

1. High demand for English teachers

One of the biggest draws to Hanoi (or Vietnam in general) is how easy it is to find teaching jobs. Whether you’re interested in working at a language centre, public school, private school, kindergarten, or even summer camp, there’s always demand.

Many teachers (including me!) arrive without a job lined up and land one within a week or two. I personally secured multiple offers through Facebook groups and referrals through friends I made in the local expat community. The TEFL network here is wide – roles get passed around constantly, and new teachers are quickly absorbed into the mix.

It’s also fairly flexible, which is great if you’re someone like me who prefers to choose a schedule that allows room for a healthy work-life balance. Some teachers stick to part-time schedules with a few private students, while others take on full-time contracts. Some even work full-time as substitute teachers (also known as ‘cover teachers’) at a number of different schools. 

Having a TEFL qualification through The TEFL Academy means your options are endless. As with working in any foreign country, just be sure that you’re aware of visa requirements and always read the fine print in your contract before accepting work. 

Ready to sign up? Check out our courses

2. Low cost of living and good salaries

Vietnam consistently ranks as one of the most affordable countries in the world for expats, and Hanoi is no exception.

According to the 2024 InterNations study, it came in first out of 53 destinations for expat-friendly finances. Expenses like rent, food, and everyday living costs are refreshingly low.

To give you a better idea:

Rent for a nice studio or one-bedroom apartment typically ranges from $200–$500/month

A delicious local meal? $1–$2

An iced coffee? 80 cents!

English teachers in Hanoi typically earn between $15–$30 an hour, or roughly $1,500–$2,000+ per month, depending on your experience and workload. Being smart with your spending habits means you can travel, shop, and eat out daily, while still managing to save.

Transport is also affordable: you can rent a motorbike for around $40–$60/month, or use Grab Bike (like a motorbike taxi) for just a couple of dollars a ride. Monthly SIM cards with unlimited data cost around $5–$10. All in all, it’s easy to live well on a teacher’s salary here.

3. Big expat community

Hanoi has a large and welcoming expat community. It’s one of those cities where you meet people quickly and genuinely – through work, mutual friends, gym classes, or even just sitting in a random café.

When I first arrived, I was worried I’d feel isolated, but that feeling didn’t last long. In fact, it wasn’t even an hour after I arrived in Hanoi that I found myself enjoying a Cà Phê Đen Đá (Vietnamese black iced coffee, which I highly recommend) and chatting to a lovely group of English teachers who invited me to join their table.

There are regular meetups, language exchanges, markets, open mics, book clubs, pool parties, running clubs, weekend getaways – you name it! I never felt bored or lonely.

TEFL teachers stick together here. You’ll find job leads in Facebook groups like “Hanoi Massive” or “Vietnam Teaching Jobs,” and people are always happy to offer advice, lend you a good motorbike contact, or tell you which schools pay on time.

One thing I really loved? How multicultural the scene is. I made friends with people from all over the world and all walks of life – travellers, creatives, digital nomads, students, and long-time Hanoi residents.

4. Vietnamese food culture (and the best coffee)

I’m not ashamed to admit that I never cooked in Hanoi – simply because I didn’t need to. The food was just that good! And eating out was very affordable, delicious, and honestly, just part of the lifestyle. I could eat out for three meals a day and still spend less than I would on a week’s worth of groceries back home.

From steaming bowls of phở to sizzling bánh xèo, fresh herbs, dipping sauces, and crispy spring rolls, the food is to die for! For vegetarians and vegans, Hanoi is surprisingly easy and tasty; many local dishes can be made meat-free, and there are several dedicated veggie restaurants if you want to go all in.

And the coffee… the coffee! Whether it’s coconut coffee, condensed milk coffee, egg coffee, or even salt coffee (yes, really), it’s dangerously good and definitely comes in handy on demanding teaching days.

5. Amazing travel opportunities

One of the most amazing parts of living in Hanoi was how easy it was to explore.

Within Vietnam alone, you’ve got beaches, mountains, pagodas, rice fields, ancient towns, and waterfalls, many just a short drive or overnight bus away. I often took spontaneous weekend trips out of the city and still made it to work on Monday morning.

Some of my favourite spots in Vietnam are:

• Ninh Bình – Limestone cliffs, peaceful boat rides, and fascinating temples
• Sapa – Trekking through rice terraces and staying in local homestays
• Cat Ba & Ha Long Bay – Kayaking, hiking, and panoramic views
• Da Nang & Hoi An – Beautiful beaches, lanterns, and historic charm
• Phu Quoc Island – Idyllic waters, surreal sunsets, and coconut ice cream
• Da Lat – Misty hills, pine forests, and a cooler mountain climate
• Ha Giang Loop – A must-do motorbike road trip through northern Vietnam
• Quy Nhon & Hue – Less touristy, equally beautiful

And if that’s not enough, international travel is just as accessible. You’re a quick (and cheap) flight away from awesome destinations in Southeast Asia, like Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, and more. Perfect for school holidays and visa runs.

Read more: This Is What You Should Be Doing In Vietnam

6. The locals are lovely 

Some of the kindest, most generous people I’ve met were in Hanoi.

I’ll never forget when my bike broke down on a big highway and someone (who couldn’t speak a word of English) stopped to help me within two minutes, expecting nothing in return. And it wasn’t just once. People would offer directions, help me order food, and always be patient with my (very beginner) Vietnamese.

Read more: How To Learn The Local Language

There’s a genuine warmth in the culture here, especially if you show interest and respect. A smile and a few words of Vietnamese go a long way. While I never became fluent, even learning the basics helped build better connections and led to a lot of laughs along the way.

And if you’re worried about the language barrier, don’t be. In Hanoi, especially in the city centre, many people speak some English, and things like food delivery apps, Google Translate, and ride-hailing services make daily life easier than ever to navigate.

7. Vibrant cultural scene

Hanoi is a city of contrasts, and culture is everywhere. You’ll find ancient temples tucked between modern apartment blocks, calligraphy markets during Tet (Lunar New Year), and live music (or locals enjoying karaoke) in tucked-away cafés.

Some of the cultural moments I loved most:

• Watching locals practise tai chi around Hoàn Kiếm Lake at sunrise
• Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival with students
• Wandering the Old Quarter on weekends when the streets are closed to traffic
• Seeing entire families on a single motorbike, somehow balancing boxes, bags, and a toddler

Holidays and traditions are taken seriously here, and as a teacher, you often get to be part of them – whether it’s decorating classrooms for Vietnamese Teachers’ Day or receiving homemade gifts from students’ families.

There’s also a growing creative scene – think art galleries, photography collectives, poetry nights, and boutique cinemas. It’s a great city to feel both rooted in history and connected to what’s new.

8. You are making a difference in people’s lives

And finally, the reason that matters most.

There’s something really special about being a teacher here. The connection you build with your students, the energy they bring, and the small moments, like when a shy student finally speaks up, or when they laugh at your attempt to explain something with charades, it’s just magic.

You’re doing more than just teaching English. You’re helping people open doors to future jobs, travel opportunities, and broader perspectives. You feel it in the classroom. You see it in their excitement. And it’s an incredibly fulfilling thing to be part of.

I still remember the way students would beam when they got something right, or how they’d stay after class just to practice “What did you eat for breakfast?” for the hundredth time. Watching their progress was incredibly fulfilling – and reminded me why this work matters.

 Final thoughts

Hanoi won’t be for everyone. It’s busy, it’s loud, and it can be overwhelming at first. But if you’re up for an adventure, open to change, and ready to grow, it’s a city that gives you back so much more than you expect.

You’ll build resilience, experience life from a different lens, and leave with stories you’ll never stop telling.

For me, Hanoi became home. And I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.