Navigating Culture Shock: My Real Experience Teaching English In Vietnam

Culture shock is a thing. No matter which country you’re visiting, if you’re there for long enough you’re likely to encounter some level of culture shock.

Even in an idyllic setting like Vietnam!

Read more: Everything You Need To Know About Teaching English In Vietnam

We asked Taylor, a TEFL teacher who taught in Vietnam, to give us her insights into dealing with culture shock in Vietnam.

My real experience teaching English in Vietnam

How will I integrate into a new culture? Will the language barrier be a struggle? What if I find it hard to make friends? How will I handle challenges in the classroom?

These were just a few of the questions running through my head before I moved abroad to teach English. Leaving behind everything familiar… your language, your routines, your people,  and stepping into a completely different way of life is no small thing.

And no matter how excited you are, culture shock has a sneaky way of creeping in when you least expect it.

After getting my TEFL certificate, I packed my suitcase, took a deep breath, and boarded a flight to Vietnam. I hadn’t been before. I didn’t know anyone. I couldn’t speak the language. I told myself I’d stay for three months. And I ended up staying for three years!

Read more: How Can I Teach English Abroad Without Speaking The Local Language?

Living and teaching in Hanoi was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, but I won’t pretend it was always easy. Culture shock showed up in surprising ways, from crossing the street to buying groceries.

In this blog, I’ll share what that transition really looked like: the funny, awkward, uncomfortable, and beautiful parts. If you’re considering teaching abroad, or you’ve just arrived in your new home and everything feels a bit upside down, this one’s for you.

Psst: Taylor’s not the only one who has a soft spot for Hanoi. Check this blog post out to find out why TEFL teachers love calling Hanoi home.

Did you experience culture shock teaching abroad?

Absolutely.

I experienced culture shock from the moment I arrived in Hanoi and stepped out of the airport. I remember staring out the window on the local bus and seeing a man balancing what looked like 50 cartons of eggs on the back of his motorbike. Perfectly stacked. Perfectly balanced. No straps. I just sat there thinking – what have I signed up for?

The first few days were a whirlwind. Everything felt unfamiliar. The heat, the language, the non-stop noise, the street food smells, the scooters flying past in all directions. People sat on tiny plastic stools on the sidewalks, sipping iced tea. Men got haircuts on the side of the road. I was paying for things in what felt like Monopoly money, hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese Dong. Rice or noodles for every meal. Roosters crowing outside my window at sunrise. It was wild… and weirdly wonderful!

What did culture shock feel like for you?

At first, I think I was riding the high of being somewhere new (the honeymoon phase, as they call it). Everything felt like an adventure. But once I’d settled into a routine, the novelty wore off a bit, and reality started to creep in.

I started missing the little comforts of home, like speaking the same language as the people around me. Or being able to hop in a car on a rainy day and grab coffee with my best friend. I missed foods I didn’t even think twice about before, like hummus, sourdough bread, and a good old braai (the South African equivalent of a BBQ).

It wasn’t full-blown homesickness, but there was definitely a low-key feeling of “things seem a bit off.” That’s culture shock – subtle at times, and at other times, overwhelming.

Can you describe a specific moment when the culture shock really hit you?

Yes, I’ll never forget a trip I took to Quy Nhon, a quieter coastal town in central Vietnam. My friend and I were some of the only foreigners there at the time, and the attention was… intense.

People stared. People pointed. Some came up and took selfies with us, without asking for permission. At one point, a family leaned over my shopping cart at the supermarket, and casually examined all the items I was buying. It was funny, but also a bit uncomfortable.

In Hanoi, this wasn’t the norm. But in more remote areas, people were still curious and excited to see foreigners. It wasn’t malicious, just… unfamiliar. It taught me a lot about being on the receiving end of curiosity, and also helped me appreciate just how different daily life can feel depending on where you are.

What was your biggest cultural adjustment in daily life?

Definitely the roads! Learning to cross the street in Vietnam is a sport of its own. There are thousands of scooters coming at you from all directions, and yet… there’s a rhythm. You walk slowly and without hesitation, and they move around you. 

Also, living without a car took adjustment. I learned to ride a scooter – something I never realised would become a huge part of my daily life – and honestly, I loved it. Zipping through the city on my own gave me a real sense of freedom.

Another big adjustment was the language barrier. I relied heavily on Google Translate and hand gestures at first, but after a little bit of practice, I picked up the basics. Even just saying “thank you” and “hello” in Vietnamese would light up people’s faces.

Not all aspects of culture shock are negative—were there any surprising or positive parts of the adjustment experience for you?

Definitely. Culture shock gets a bad rap, but it also opened my eyes to so many beautiful things.

Like how the Vietnamese remove their shoes before entering a home – something I now do instinctively, even when I’m back in the West. Or how chaotic traffic somehow flows in harmony, without the constant honking you might expect. Or how willing strangers were willing to help, even if we couldn’t speak the same language.

Even the language barrier, which frustrated me so much at first, became something I learned to navigate – and it pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t expect.

Top tip: Try to learn at least a few words in the local language!

I like to see culture shock as a learning experience, an opportunity for growth, and a reason to come home one day with tons of fascinating stories from your time abroad.

You’re getting to live the life that many people dream of, and when you think of it that way, the uncomfortable or difficult moments don’t seem all that bad after all.

How did culture shock show up in the classroom?

Games. So many games. In Vietnamese classrooms, even with older students, games are an essential part of learning. At first, I worried it would take away from “serious” teaching, but I quickly learned that incorporating play actually made students more engaged and responsive.

Discipline and classroom dynamics were different, too. Students can be quite cheeky, but rarely disrespectful. And co-teaching with a Vietnamese teaching assistant had its own set of challenges, especially when their English level was low. But over time, I learned to adapt. Gestures, visuals, and lots of patience became my tools.

Did you ever unintentionally offend someone or break a cultural norm?

Thankfully nothing major, but I once walked into someone’s home with my shoes on. I’d just arrived and hadn’t picked up on that custom yet. I saw the look on their face and immediately realised – oops. Took them off, apologised, and all was good!

In the classroom, I learned quickly that raising your voice (even slightly) can be seen as losing control. Calm, composed communication goes much further.

How long did the culture shock last?

It came in waves. The first wave hit hard in the beginning. Then it faded. Then came back a few months in, when the novelty of being in a new and exciting place wore off. All in all, I’d say after six months of soaking in the life of being an English teacher in Vietnam, I really found my groove.

I remember the moment I realised I’d adjusted. I was walking through my local market, chatting (in broken Vietnamese) with the woman who sold me fresh fruit, weaving between scooters, dodging puddles, and sipping my iced coffee that I ordered without a word of English (or using hand signs) – and I felt… at home. Like I belonged. That was a really heart-warming feeling.

Do you think certain types of people are more likely to experience culture shock than others?

I think everyone experiences it, but how you cope depends on your mindset.

Being open-minded, curious, and adaptable really helps. So does having a sense of humour and a positive outlook. Things will go wrong. You’ll get lost. You’ll order the wrong food. But if you can laugh through those moments, they turn into stories you’ll tell for years.

Having a support system helps massively. I made friends and connections quickly, and that really anchored me. Having people to talk to who “get it” makes a big difference.

In what ways have you changed since teaching abroad?

Teaching abroad changed me in more ways than I expected.

It gave me confidence, not just as a teacher, but as a person. I proved to myself that I could navigate a new country, a new job, and a new language, all on my own. It gave me more empathy, patience, and appreciation for different cultures. While also reminding me how similar we all are underneath it all.

It made me crave more. More travel, more adventures, more learning, more cultural exchange. And it showed me that growth doesn’t happen when things are easy. It happens when you say yes to the unknown and take the leap out of your comfort zone.

What advice do you have for new teachers dealing with culture shock?

Here’s what helped me most:

• Educate yourself: Watch vlogs, read blogs, and join expat Facebook groups.
• Talk to people already there: Ask questions, get honest insight, make connections.
• Join communities: Go to meetups, classes, or events. Don’t isolate yourself.
• Be flexible: Plans change. Keep your mindset open.
• Know your “why”: When things get tough, come back to the reason you made this move in the first place. It will keep you grounded.
• Give yourself time: Adjustment doesn’t happen overnight. Be patient with yourself. 
• Celebrate the small wins: Ordering food without using Google Translate? That’s a win!

Most importantly? Culture shock isn’t something to fear. It’s part of the adventure. It can be exciting. It means you’re growing. It means you’re human. And chances are, you’ll fall in love with your new life abroad.