How much does a teacher earn abroad?

Salaries range from $25,000 to $100,000+ depending on region, experience, and school. Wondering Staffroom helps you compare real-world teacher packages anonymously.

What’s included in a typical international teaching package?

Common benefits include housing allowance, flights, health insurance, and tax-free salary. Use our comparison tool to see real examples.

What is a typical salary for international school teachers in Vietnam?

Many international school teachers in Vietnam report salaries broadly in the 45,000–90,000,000 VND per month range (often advertised in USD), with variation depending on city, school type and experience.

Do schools in Vietnam provide housing?

Some international schools provide housing allowances or short-term accommodation on arrival, while others expect teachers to rent privately. Housing is a major factor in your real disposable income.

Is Vietnam good for saving money?

Vietnam can offer a solid balance of lifestyle and savings. On stronger packages, many teachers manage to live comfortably and still save, especially outside the most expensive areas and with thoughtful budgeting.

Which cities in Vietnam have international schools?

Most international schools cluster around Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, with some in other regional centres as the sector grows.

What should I look for in a Vietnamese job offer?

Look at salary in local currency or USD, housing support, medical insurance, fee remission, workload, contract length and how visa and work permit processes are handled.

Country Guide · Vietnam

International school teacher salaries in Vietnam

Vietnam’s international school market has expanded rapidly over the last decade. Many teachers are drawn by a mix of lively cities, strong food culture, lower day-to-day costs and improving packages – particularly in established schools in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

Currency

Vietnamese Dong (VND)

Often quoted in VND or USD; always compare in local currency as rates move over time.

Typical salary band*

~ 45–90 million VND / month

Qualified teachers in international schools, before benefits.

Contracts

1–2 year contracts

Often with renewal bonuses and annual reviews.

Focus

Lifestyle & balanced savings

Often a middle ground between lifestyle-first and high-savings.

Typical salary ranges in Vietnam

The international school sector in Vietnam is diverse. Some schools are highly established with robust packages and competitive salaries; others are newer or more locally focused, offering more modest pay and benefits.

Lower to mid-range offers

Some schools, especially smaller or newer ones, advertise salaries in the 30–50 million VND per month range (or equivalent), sometimes with limited benefits and expectations of private rental. These roles can cover living costs but leave less room for savings or frequent long-haul travel.

Check whether health insurance, pension contributions and annual flights are included or not.

More competitive international packages

In well-established international schools, teachers often report salaries broadly in the 45–90 million VND per month range, sometimes quoted in USD instead. Packages may also include housing allowances, bonuses and varying levels of fee remission for dependants.

Senior leadership and specialist posts can sit above this band, particularly in high-fee schools in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi.

*All figures are indicative and based on broad ranges from job adverts and teacher experiences, not a fixed national scale.

Cost of living and savings potential

Vietnam can feel very affordable in terms of local food, transport and services, especially compared with many Western cities. However, imported goods, international restaurants and premium apartments in central districts will narrow the gap quickly.

Everyday spending

Eating local food, using ride-hailing apps or public transport and living slightly outside the most fashionable districts can make everyday life very manageable. Many teachers find that local services (e.g. tailoring, basic healthcare, cafes) feel very good value.

Air quality and transport infrastructure can vary by city and neighbourhood, so it is worth researching the specific area of any job offer.

Savings potential

On stronger packages, many teachers manage a healthy balance of lifestyle and savings – living comfortably, travelling regionally and still sending money home or building a buffer. On more modest packages, savings are possible but rely heavily on choosing a sensible apartment and watching discretionary spending.

Long-haul flights home and international school fees for dependants (if not covered) can be major cost drivers.

What is it like to live and teach in Vietnam?

Vietnam's cities are vibrant and noisy in the best and worst senses: scooters, street food, coffee shops and rapid development. Many teachers enjoy the sense of energy and the ease of weekend trips to beaches, mountains or other parts of Southeast Asia.

In school, you are likely to find:

Motivated students, often from families keen on international pathways and English-medium education.
A mix of local and international staff, with varied expectations about workload and extracurricular involvement depending on the school.
Campus facilities that range from very modern and well resourced to more modest; school tours and staff feedback are invaluable.

Who is Vietnam a good fit for?

Vietnam may be a strong option if you:

Enjoy energetic, fast-changing cities and do not mind some urban chaos along the way.
Want a balance between lifestyle and savings rather than maximising one at the total expense of the other.
Are happy to research schools in detail, ask questions about workload and culture, and choose your neighbourhood thoughtfully.

Compare your Vietnam offer

Have an offer from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi or elsewhere in Vietnam? Use My Offer vs. The World to see how your package compares with anonymous submissions from other teachers around the globe.

🎯 My Offer vs. The World

Explore more on Wondering Staffroom

Visit Browse salaries to see Vietnam alongside other destinations.
Use Analytics to explore how Vietnam compares in charts and graphs.
Share your own Vietnam package via the Submit form to help other teachers benchmark their offers.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a typical salary for international school teachers in Vietnam?: Many international school teachers in Vietnam report salaries broadly in the 45,000–90,000,000 VND per month range (often advertised in USD), with variation depending on city, school type and experience.
Do schools in Vietnam provide housing?: Some international schools provide housing allowances or short-term accommodation on arrival, while others expect teachers to rent privately. Housing is a major factor in your real disposable income.
Is Vietnam good for saving money?: Vietnam can offer a solid balance of lifestyle and savings. On stronger packages, many teachers manage to live comfortably and still save, especially outside the most expensive areas and with thoughtful budgeting.
Which cities in Vietnam have international schools?: Most international schools cluster around Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, with some in other regional centres as the sector grows.
What should I look for in a Vietnamese job offer?: Look at salary in local currency or USD, housing support, medical insurance, fee remission, workload, contract length and how visa and work permit processes are handled.

Nothing on this page is financial or legal advice. All figures are indicative only and based on public ranges and teacher experiences.