There are two doors: one opens up to rice paddies and the crow of a rooster at dawn, the other to street food stalls and rush-hour scooters. Which one would you step through?
Teaching English in Vietnam is likely to remain a hot market well past 2025, with strong demand in both urban and rural areas.
And with the government targeting English to become the official second language in schools by 2030, the demand for teachers is only set to grow.
Read more: Is There Really A Demand For TEFL Teachers?
Stepping into teaching English in Vietnam means choosing which world you’ll call home. TEFL teacher Dave is here to make that choice easier. He’s experienced both rural and urban living while teaching English in Vietnam.
Read more: Teach English in Vietnam
From my arrival in January 2019 until the summer of 2024, I taught at Soc Son Public High School while living in the expat-friendly urban district of Tay Ho, Hanoi. But for one year, I lived in the rural district of Phu Lo, Soc Son, about 20 km outside the capital.
Although close to Hanoi, living in this district felt like stepping into another world altogether: a rustic area surrounded by lakes, wooded hills, farmland, and mountain landscapes. Life there was quieter, more spacious, and deeply connected to the natural environment, offering a striking counterpoint to the intensity of inner-city living.
Currently (September 2025), I’m in my second year of teaching at The Dewey Schools, a private institution in Cau Giay, which is just a 20-minute drive from my home in Hanoi.
Both settings—Hanoi’s urban heartbeat and Soc Son’s countryside calm—have shaped my ongoing time in Vietnam in all manner of ways.
Two sides of the same coin
Snapshot of rural vs urban Vietnam
Salary: $1,200 vs $2,500 a month
Workload: minimal workload vs. full-time schedule
Benefits: none vs comprehensive
Lifestyle: simple living and easy savings vs city life with urban comforts
Vietnam has earned its place as one of the most sought-after destinations for TEFL teachers. Its growing demand for English education, welcoming communities, and low cost of living attracts thousands of teachers every year.
Beyond the professional opportunities, what keeps people here is the country itself. Its blend of tradition and modernity, its natural beauty, and the sense of discovery that is part of everyday Vietnamese life.
As the nation’s capital, it offers a glimpse into both worlds: an upcoming metropolis with modern schools, international connections, and a thriving expat community, while only a short drive away lie rural districts where traditions remain strong and life moves at a gentler pace. For teachers, this split between city and countryside creates two very different realities, each with its own challenges and rewards.
Read more: Teaching English in Vietnam: 8 Reasons TEFL Teachers Love Calling Hanoi Home
Classroom experience: Same, same but different
The contrasts between these two schools are stark.
Rural school: Soc Son High
At Soc Son, I taught every Grade 10 and 11 class (26 classes in total).
- Roughly 40–50 students per class
- Lessons = 45 minutes
- Technical issues were common
- Unreliable equipment
- Fewer amenities
- Strong sense of community
Urban school: The Dewey Schools
Here, I teach three lessons per week to each of my four classes,
- Roughly 25 students per class
- Lessons = 70 minutes
- Business-like environment: meeting-heavy and administration-focused
- Technology-driven
Moving to The Dewey Schools was like stepping into an entirely different system.
Some days, it feels closer to a corporate job than teaching, but the schedule allows me to get to know my students’ strengths and personalities over time.
Despite the stark contrasts between The Dewey Schools and Soc Son, there’s one constant that stands out: the students.
No matter where they’re from, they bring the same energy, respect and cultural pride to the classroom.
This shared spirit reminds me that while the setting may change, the heart of teaching remains the same.
Read more: Things To Know About Vietnamese Classroom Culture
Pay, work hours and job market
At Soc Son, the pay was modest but sufficient to live comfortably — around $1,200 a month. The workload was minimal, as I taught Grades 10 and 11 and only had to prepare two lessons a week.
Read more: Top Tips For Effective Lesson Planning
There were no added benefits such as health insurance or visa support, but the lighter timetable created ample space outside of work for free-time activities.
The Dewey Schools are far more structured. I work Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM, from August through June.
The job comes with higher expectations and a heavier workload, but the rewards are considerable. The salary is around $2,500 a month with benefits such as:
- paid leave for all public holidays,
- health insurance,
- a Temporary Residence Card, making documentation and visas stress-free, and
- an annual flight allowance.
The financial contrast inevitably determines your lifestyle choices.
- Rural location: In Soc Son, I lived simply, found joy in small pleasures, and often saved without much thought.
- Urban location: At The Dewey Schools, the higher salary allows me to save and enjoy Hanoi’s urban offerings.
Student attitudes and culture
Since Soc Son is a public school, most students come from working-class backgrounds, while at The Dewey Schools, students mostly come from middle- and upper-class families.
Despite these differences, inside the classroom, students have a lot in common: they work hard, joke around and are always in touch with social media trends and pop culture.
Read more: 3 Ways Teaching Teenagers May Surprise You
Their innocence and dedication make them a joy to teach. Although they can be mischievous at times, it’s always in harmless, endearing ways.
What impresses me most is how well they collaborate and bond.
At Soc Son, traditions revealed the link between education, heritage and national pride:
- Students performed traditional dances at assemblies.
- Historical events were re-enacted.
- Military training-style lessons were part of the curriculum.
At The Dewey Schools, the emphasis is on preparing students for the future:
- Technology is integrated into daily learning.
- The school is equipped with modern facilities.
- Students aspire to study abroad, work in international companies or contribute to Vietnam’s development.
Read more: Teaching Kids in Vietnam: What It’s Really Like (+ Tips From a Teacher)
Lifestyle outside the classroom
Phu Lo
The town was small and quiet. It gave me the chance to live more healthily and connect deeply with Vietnamese culture.
I had more time for exercise, reflection, language learning, and adapting to the slower rhythm of rural life.
My time there coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, and my presence raised eyebrows because some worried I might have arrived while the borders were closed.
Fortunately, I speak enough Vietnamese to explain that I was teaching at the local high school.
Over time, word spread and the novelty of a Westerner moved from being a source of suspicion to a local curiosity.
Hanoi
Hanoi offers me a totally different lifestyle. Living in the city means being surrounded by all the modern conveniences.
The expat community is large and well-established. Social opportunities are endless, but also make me less of a novelty.
Now, I’m just one of many foreigners blending into the city’s fabric.
Expenses in Phu Lo were minimal, and the quiet lifestyle encouraged saving, but in Tay Ho, the temptation to spend is everywhere. The cost of living remained affordable in both places.
A typical weekday in Phu Lo might mean an early evening motorbike ride by the fields.
In Hanoi’s city centre, it might mean finishing work late, then grabbing food and drinks with colleagues.
Read more: A Day In The Life Of An English Teacher In Vietnam
Both experiences shaped me in valuable ways:
- Rural life in Phu Lo gave me cultural immersion and belonging.
- City life in Tay Ho has offered balance, convenience, and support networks that have anchored me long-term.
Challenges and rewards
In Phu Lo, the commute to school was a two-minute walk. But as mentioned, I live in the city centre, so one of the greatest challenges of working in a rural area was the commute.
Each day working in Soc Son meant a 30–35 km round trip, which could feel demanding when driving through open farmland along exposed highways. On windy and rainy days, the journey became hazardous, requiring far more caution just to make it to school safely.
On the flip side, when it was sunny and the temperature was just right, I absolutely loved my commute.
The city commute has its own difficulties: traffic jams, pollution and torrential rainstorms that flood the streets. Driving through the city traffic during typhoon-style weather is unforgettable, demanding patience and a steady hand.
The countryside offered a sense of calm before starting the day, while the city’s streets, though chaotic, pulse with energy.
In a way, each journey mirrored the character of where I was teaching.
Read more: Navigating Culture Shock: My Real Experience Teaching English In Vietnam
In rural Vietnam, the value comes from the community itself. Life is quieter, more modest and you’ll feel integrated into something truly local.
By contrast, my inner-city experience at The Dewey Schools has been about structure, opportunity and growth. The rewards are financial stability and professional development.
With benefits, holidays and a career pathway, I’ve been able to save money, plan and enjoy a lifestyle that balances work, travel, relationships and personal goals.
Read more: Everything You Need To Know About Teaching English In Vietnam
Conclusion: Finding the right fit
If you’re seeking cultural immersion, space to breathe, and the chance to be part of a local community, a rural placement is deeply rewarding.
If you’re more career-focused, looking to build savings or want to experience a modern teaching environment, then working in the city is the right fit.
My advice for new teachers is simple: be open.
Don’t arrive with rigid expectations, because Vietnam has a way of surprising you. Both rural and urban teaching will test you in different ways, but they will also give back far more than you expect.
Whether you end up in a quiet town or the city, you’ll find respectful students, supportive colleagues and a country that stays with you long after you leave.
In a nutshell…
Rural teaching is ideal if you:
- need to recharge your batteries
- thrive in a close-knit community
- enjoy a modest, minimalist lifestyle
- love being surrounded by nature
- value connection over convenience
- prefer a slower, more grounded pace of life.
Urban teaching is great if you:
- are ambitious
- value financial freedom
- enjoy the buzz of a fast-moving city
- like networking and meeting new people constantly
- appreciate access to modern amenities and entertainment
- are energised by a fast-paced lifestyle
So what’s it going to be? Quiet mornings, wide-open spaces and a slower pace of life? Or traffic jams, neon lights and endless options at your doorstep?
You can’t lose no matter what you choose!
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