If you’re planning to teach in Vietnam, there will be many things you are probably thinking about like teaching jobs, motorbikes, street food, smiling students, and weekend getaways. And yes—it’s all true. But what makes a living here isn’t just the beauty or the adventure. It’s how people live, think, and connect.
At tefljob.net, we help teachers from all over the world not only find great teaching jobs, but also adjust to life here—housing, visas, motorbikes, you name it. Along the way, we’ve heard so many stories about funny, surprising, and even touching cultural moments. If you’re new to Vietnam, here are a few things that might help you feel more at home.
1. Speaking up is not second nature
If you’re used to students jumping into discussions or freely expressing their opinions, Vietnam might feel different at first. Here, many students are raised in a culture where keeping harmony is more important than standing out, and where public speaking—especially offering personal opinions—doesn’t come naturally. That doesn’t mean students don’t have thoughts. But unless they’re directly affected or invited to speak, they often prefer to observe rather than volunteer. It’s a habit rooted in respect, not passivity.
One teacher shared, “I asked the class a question—total silence. But when I gently asked one student, she gave a brilliant answer. After that, more followed. They just needed a little nudge”. You’ll find that with encouragement, smaller group settings, or even writing activities first, your students will open up—and when they do, their insights often surprise you.
2. Plans change—And that’s okay
Life in Vietnam is wonderfully dynamic. It’s not uncommon for class schedules to shift, meetings to move, or invitations to pop up out of nowhere. At first, this might feel chaotic—but it’s just part of the flow.
One teacher we placed in Hanoi laughed about how she was once told at 9 AM that she’d be teaching a “special class” at 10. No warning, no prep. She panicked… then pulled out an old lesson on colors and just rolled with it. The kids loved it, and so did she. Since then, she always carries a “just in case” activity in her bag.
3. Respect is quiet but strong
Respect is deeply woven into daily life here. You’ll see it in the way people greet each other, how students speak to teachers, and even how things are handed to you—with two hands, not one.
One of our teachers shared a funny moment: he gave a playful head-pat to a student who aced a quiz—something totally normal back home. But the room went quiet. Later, a Vietnamese co-teacher gently explained that the head is seen as the most sacred part of the body. It wasn’t a big deal, but it was a good reminder that respect sometimes shows up in ways you don’t expect.
4. People might not say “No”—But that doesn’t mean “Yes”
Vietnamese communication is often more indirect than in Western cultures. If someone doesn’t want to do something, they may not say “no” directly. Instead, you might hear a gentle “maybe” or “we’ll see.” It’s a way of keeping things polite and smooth.
One teacher laughed remembering how she waited two weeks for her landlord to “maybe” fix the air conditioner. Turns out, “maybe” was a polite way of saying, “Probably not gonna happen.” Once she figured that out, things got easier—she learned to ask in a softer way or follow up with a smile.
5. Food is social, not just fuel
In Vietnam, meals aren’t just about eating—they’re about connection. Sharing food, clinking tiny glasses of tea or beer, and talking (sometimes loudly!) is how people bond.
A teacher we worked with in Da Nang said she used to eat lunch alone in her classroom, thinking it was more efficient. One day, a local colleague waved her over to join a group lunch. She said yes—just to be polite—but ended up laughing, learning some slang, and getting invited to a karaoke night. “I stopped eating alone after that,” she told us. “Now lunch is the best part of my day.”
6. Life here is not always what you expect—It’s better
Teaching in Vietnam can be full of small surprises—like students bringing you fruit from their hometown, or strangers helping you when your motorbike stalls in the rain. It’s these little things that make it more than just a job—it becomes a life.
An expat teacher once told us: “I came here to teach for a year. That was five years ago. Now I have a favorite noodle spot, I speak enough Vietnamese to haggle at the market, and I’m teaching the younger brother of one of my first students. Vietnam didn’t just change how I work—it changed how I live.”
And then there’s the students. Vietnamese kids, especially in kindergarten or primary schools, are endlessly affectionate. It’s not unusual for a teacher to be greeted by a crowd of little arms wrapping around their waist, students shouting “Hello teacher!” from across the playground, or a sea of tiny hands reaching up to give high-fives. Some might even playfully tug on your tie, stroke your beard (if you have one), or curiously touch your tattoos if they peek out from your sleeves.
One American teacher told us, laughing, “I couldn’t even make it to the classroom some mornings without being mobbed by hugs—and one time, a student gave me a sticker and said, ‘This is for your motorbike, so it goes faster.’ I still have it on my helmet.”
These small moments, innocent and full of joy, remind many teachers why they came here in the first place—not just to teach English, but to connect, laugh, and build something meaningful.
7. Sidewalk Life: Street Snacks, Low Stools, and Long Chats
Vietnamese people don’t just eat—they hang out around food. Whether it’s a plate of bánh tráng trộn, fried fish balls, grilled corn with scallion oil, or just iced tea with sunflower seeds, sidewalk snacking is a lifestyle.
One teacher from the UK admitted she was unsure if she could even sit on those tiny red plastic stools. “It looked like they were made for dolls,” she joked. But when she joined a group of friendly students and ordered a cà phê sữa đá, all ended up chatting for an hour while motorbikes buzzed by.
That kind of moment isn’t rare. It’s daily life. Whether it’s Cà phê bệt in the park (yes, sitting on the ground!) or grabbing Chè after class, socializing in Vietnam is casual, spontaneous, and almost always involves food or drink. And often, the best conversations happen not in cafes or offices, but right there on the pavement under the shade of a tree.
Final thoughts
No guidebook can fully prepare you for what it’s like to live and teach in Vietnam—but that’s what makes it beautiful. It’s a place where curiosity is rewarded, kindness is everywhere, and every day teaches you something new—not just about your students, but about yourself. Whether it’s sidewalk coffee, hugs from your students, or learning to cross the street like a local (tip: go slow, don’t stop), this country has a way of getting into your heart.
Ready for a departure to Vietnam?
At tefljob.net, we do more than find you a job. We are here for your every step—visa support, housing help, motorbike advice, and all the cultural insights you didn’t know you needed. Contact us today or explore our teaching opportunities in Vietnam.
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