Teaching English in Vietnam as a Non-Native Speaker

Curious about what it’s really like to teach English in Vietnam as a non-native speaker? Nayan shares his journey from the Netherlands to Ho Chi Minh City, including travel, teaching, lifestyle, and what pushed him to take the leap abroad.

PERSONAL PROFILE

What is your name, age and nationality?

My name is Nayan Heijmans. I am 29 years old and I was born and raised in the Netherlands, my nationality is Dutch. Most people think Holland is a country and that it is the same as the Netherlands, however nothing could be further from the truth. A small geography lesson: The Netherlands is a country, consisting of twelve provinces: North-Brabant, Zeeland, Limburg, North Holland, South Holland, Utrecht, Gelderland, Overijssel, Flevoland, Drenthe, Friesland, Groningen. Holland is in fact not a country but only a small part of the country in the Netherlands. It is the area of the two provinces North Holland and South Holland.

What is your education level and background?

I recently graduated as a Bachelor of Business Administration. It was a four-year study called International Business and Management Studies. While I was working as a car tire salesperson in 2012, I decided to live in Indonesia for 10 weeks with two friends, to do a Cambridge English course. This stay made me realise I wanted to go back to university and study something international, which would allow me to travel during the rest of my life.

Have you travelled abroad previously, and if so where?

Nayan has travelled extensively from a young age. From visiting family in Canada and road-tripping across the United States, to exploring Europe, Egypt and Russia, his early travel experiences were mostly short-term.

Everything changed in 2012 when he lived in Indonesia for 10 weeks. That experience opened his eyes and sparked a long-term desire to travel and live abroad.

From there, he continued building a lifestyle around travel:

Worked in Curaçao for 10 weeks
Backpacking trip across Thailand, Laos and Cambodia
Studied abroad in Singapore for 6 months
Road-tripped across Southern Africa (South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana)
Lived in South Africa for 8 months
Visited Mauritius
Travelled the Philippines before moving to Vietnam

What motivated you to teach abroad?

Well, to be honest, the first and main reason is to be able to travel and live abroad. However, I also enjoyed my time as a youth football coach and trainer. Teaching something valuable to others while gaining life experience myself felt like the right path.

What did you want to personally achieve with this experience, and have you succeeded?

The thing I always struggled most with was speaking in front of larger groups, such as during university presentations. The TEFL course gave me real teaching practice and confidence through both theory and 12 hours of teaching practice. This was something I knew I wouldn’t get from an online course.

Did you apply for the program with a friend or on your own?

I applied on my own and made very good friends during the course. There is no need to apply with a friend if you’re unsure.

Did you know anyone who had taught abroad before you?

Yes. During a previous trip to Thailand, I met someone who later introduced me to TEFL Heaven. Seeing her experience on social media played a big role in my decision.

What were some of your concerns before you began teaching abroad?

One concern was whether my English level was good enough as a non-native speaker. Another was whether I would enjoy teaching itself. I knew living abroad wouldn’t be an issue.

TEFL PROGRAM INFORMATION

What made you decide to do a TEFL course and choose TEFL Heaven?

It gave me the opportunity to live abroad and teach worldwide. My decision was strongly influenced by a friend who had already completed the course and described it as one of the best decisions of her life.

What made you choose a face-to-face TEFL course over other options?

A face-to-face TEFL course offers:

8 hours of classroom observation
12 hours of teaching practice
A built-in social network
Time to adjust to the country before working

These are things you simply don’t get from an online course.

Which TEFL program did you do?

The Ho Chi Minh City Paid Job Vietnam Program.

What did you enjoy about your TEFL course?

Definitely the people. There were around 40 students split into smaller groups, and our class of 12 had an amazing dynamic.

How prepared did you feel for your teaching position?

More prepared than without the course. The teaching practice was key.

How long have you been teaching in Vietnam and how long do you plan to stay?

I recently finished the course and am about to start my first job. I plan to stay at least one year.

How did you secure your English teaching job?

I applied to several larger companies and received three offers. There is a strong demand for teachers, making it relatively easy to find work.

How did you get your work visa?

Most companies assist with the visa process. Some cover partial costs, others cover everything.

How did you find somewhere to live and what is it like?

I found accommodation through friends from the course. I now live in a modern apartment complex with:

Gym
Pool
Supermarket
Mall

It’s a 2-bedroom apartment shared with a roommate, costing $750 total.

COUNTRY INSIGHT

Ho Chi Minh City is vibrant and busy. The traffic can be intense at first, but you quickly adapt. Eventually, you even consider joining it on a scooter.

Food is incredibly cheap and delicious:

Banh Mi for around $0.66
Rice or noodles for about $1
Phở available anytime

Transport is unique. Motorbike taxis are often faster than cars and provide a completely different experience of the city.

There’s no shortage of things to do:

War Remnants Museum
Cu Chi Tunnels
Mekong Delta
Beaches nearby

Social life is also a big part of the experience:

Karaoke bars everywhere
Bubble tea cafés
Rooftop bars
Bui Vien street for nightlife

What are your monthly expenses?

Rent: $375 (can be as low as $150–200)
Food: $250
Social life: $200
Transportation: $100
Phone: $20

Would you say you are able to live comfortably on your monthly salary?

Yes, and it’s possible to save money as well, depending on your lifestyle.

ADVICE FOR PROSPECTIVE ENGLISH TEACHERS

What advice would you give someone thinking about teaching English in Vietnam?

Just do it. You won’t regret it.

Vietnam offers a great balance where you can work around 18–20 hours per week and still save money while enjoying life abroad.

Nayan’s experience shows that teaching English in Vietnam isn’t just for native speakers. With the right mindset and training, it can be an incredible opportunity for travel, growth, and building confidence.

Teaching English in Vietnam continues to be one of the most accessible and rewarding ways to live abroad. Whether you're looking to travel, develop new skills, or simply experience something different, stories like Nayan’s show what’s possible when you take that first step.

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Teaching English in Vietnam: Nayan Heijmans’ Experience