Vietnam proposes specific standards, requirements for foreign educators in the country

The draft outlines detailed conditions and standards for foreign nationals teaching and conducting research across various levels including preschool, secondary education, continuing education, vocational training, and higher education.

Among these, the requirements for foreign teachers at the preschool, secondary and higher education levels are as follows, with being proficient in the language of instruction is a must.

English proficiency is preferred, along with knowledge of Vietnamese culture and customs.

Preschool education

Foreigners teaching children in preschool institutions:

They must hold a college degree or higher in early childhood education, and have at least two years of teaching experience at preschool institutions.

Or they must hold a college level or higher qualification in a field related to education or the subject they teach if they are responsible for a specific subject, have a teaching certificate or at least two years of preschool teaching experience.

For those who hold a doctoral degree or the title of professor, associate professor, or academician, they must have experience in early childhood education.

For foreigners teaching a language that is their mother tongue to kindergarten children:

They must hold a college degree or higher, have a TESOL certificate or other international language teaching certificates recognized by the Ministry of Education and Training for use in Vietnam.

They may also qualify if they have teaching experience in preschool institutions or have completed a practicum at a Vietnamese preschool with at least 90 teaching periods.

Preference is given to those with training in early childhood education.

Secondary education

Foreigners teaching at secondary education institutions:

They must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in a field relevant to the subject they teach, have a teaching certificate, or have at least two years of teaching experience at secondary education or continuing education institutions.

Or they must hold a doctoral degree or the title of professor, associate professor, or academician, and have experience in secondary education. Preference is given to those with training in secondary education.

Foreigners teaching a language that is their mother tongue:

They must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, have a TESOL certificate or other international language teaching certificates recognized by the Ministry of Education and Training for use in Vietnam, or have teaching experience at secondary education institutions.

Higher education

Foreigners teaching, conducting scientific research, or participating in academic exchange:

They must hold a master’s degree or higher relevant to their assigned position, field, or discipline for teaching, research, or academic exchange; have at least two years of teaching or research experience at higher education institutions or reputable research institutes abroad.

Those holding a doctoral degree relevant to their assigned position, field, or discipline for teaching, research, or academic exchange; or those holding a master’s degree or higher relevant to the assigned position, field, or discipline for teaching, research, or academic exchange and have research published in international journals indexed in WoS or Scopus are exempt from the experience requirement.

Foreigners with published scientific research in peer-reviewed international journals, with published books or book chapters, or have participation in multi-level scientific or technological projects with proven practical value are also exempt from the experience requirement.

Foreigners without a master’s degree teach a language that is their mother tongue:

They must hold a university degree or equivalent or higher, have a TESOL certificate or other international language teaching certificates recognized by the Ministry of Education and Training for use in Vietnam, or have experience teaching languages at vocational or higher education institutions.

Exceptional cases: 

Individuals who do not fully meet the requirements for university teaching or research may be considered if they possess special expertise, patents, scientific awards, or demonstrated practical contributions endorsed by a reputable international educational organization; or in a government-level cooperation program, they are guaranteed by a competent authority or the receiving institution.