Home / Tefl residential courses / Vietnam / Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam. Often referred to by its former Name Saigon, the city is the cultural and economic centre of Vietnam with a population of seven million people, however, it stills manages to preserve a large amount of its traditions and culture.

This city has endured more than most other cities but it still offers so much for visitors to see and do. Explore the Historical Museum which has artefacts from the Tran and Le Dynasties, the Bronze Age and from Agnor Watt. Explore Ho Chi Minh like a local by visiting the largest market in the city which is known as Ben Thanh Market. See exhibits of crimes committed during the Vietnam War by Vietnamese and Americans, as well as a guillotine used by french colonialists as recently as 1920 at the War Remnants Museum. Also make sure you stop by Chinatown and visit the Thien Hau Temple.

Everywhere in this lively city there is a positive and energetic vibe. Many large multinational organisations have established offices here; however, Ho Chi Minh City has still managed to preserve its individual Vietnamese style.

Not far from Ho Chi Minh City you will find fantastic beaches situated along the coast and tall mountain islands. Throughout Vietnam, wherever you go, you will come into contact with the allure and generosity of its warm and welcoming people.

Ho Chi Minh City Climate

As it is situated 5-10 meters above sea level and is only 10.5° north of the equator, Ho Chi Minh City enjoys a tropical climate with dry and rainy seasons.

The period between the months of late November to April is referred to as the dry season when the average temperature is 26 °C (83 °F). The period between the months of May to November is referred to as the rainy season with the wettest months being June and August. The rain does not usually last long during the rainy season, normally a short period in the late afternoon. The hottest months of the year are February to May, when you will find it gets very humid until the start of the rainy season.

Whatever time of the year you choose to study your course in Vietnam you will certainly have an exceptional Vietnamese experience which could develop into a deep affection for this amazing country and its inhabitants.

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The School

Our course training centre in Ho Chi Minh City is located close to many amenities such as a bookstore, a bank, a park and is also closely situated to the general area for backpackers. Here you will find a great variety of affordable vegetarian, western and Vietnamese food to choose from.

Our school facilities include tea and coffee provisions, free internet access, well equipped and comfortable classrooms, as well as all the teaching resources and facilities you will need to successfully complete your course.

Our training school staff members are all welcoming and experienced and can be relied on to assist you in any way they can inside or outside of the classroom. Ho Chi Minh City should definitely be regarded as a perfect location for your TEFL/TESOL course in Vietnam.

Accommodation

We have a number of accommodation options available for the duration of your TEFL/TESOL course, all of which are located near the school in the centre of the city. The options include a private hotel room, guesthouse or apartment. All rooms are comfortable, clean and come with air-conditioning, a private bath (and/or shower) and are suitably furnished for your stay. Some guesthouses offer our students added facilities such as laundry service, free drinking water and cable TV.

Course dates

2024

• 2 December 2024 - 27 December

2025

• 10 February 2025 - 7 March
• 10 March 2025 - 4 April
• 7 April 2025 - 6 May
• 12 May 2025 - 6 June
• 9 June 2025 - 4 July
• 7 July 2025 - 1 August
• 4 August 2025 - 29 August
• 8 September 2025 - 3 October
• 6 October 2025 - 31 October
• 3 November 2025 - 28 November
• 1 December 2025 - 26 December

Course fees

The total price is divided into: deposit and balance.

The deposit may be paid via a) credit card b) Paypal c) wire transfer d) Western Union.

The balance of the course fee must be paid by cash, PayPal or bank transfer directly to the training center on the first day of the course.

 

Deposit
US$ 600

to be paid in advance

+

Balance
US$ 1090

to be paid on arrival

Accomodation Fees

The accommodation fees are not part of the course price and you are free to choose whichever accommodation option you prefer.

If you choose to use our accommodation, it should be paid for either by cash, PayPal or bank transfer directly to the school at the start of the course.

Per Week
US$ 270

(to be paid on arrival)

Special offer for Ho Chi Minh:

Complimentary five-hour Vietnamese language course (available after completion of the TESOL course), focusing on basic communication skills and language relevant to the classroom environment. This is designed to facilitate smoother communication and integration for Ho Chi Minh graduates, especially those who may be new to the region or the language.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are my payment options?

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  Course deposits must be paid to our administrative center. Credit/debit card payments are the fastest and cheapest way to pay, but we also accept payments via Western Union, Pay Pal and bank transfer. While there are no deadlines for a deposit, courses can fill up quickly and your seat will only be reserved after the deposit has been paid.

  Once you make your deposit, you will receive an email with an informational packet that provides detailed information about the course and Ho Chi Minh City itself.

  The course fees balance can be paid on the first day of the course but this can only be done by credit/debit card, bank transfer or cash.

  Course fees are all-inclusive so you won’t be asked to pay additional costs for course related materials or services. This also includes course moderation, accreditation fees and lifetime job assistance.

• What are my accommodation options?

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  We have a network of great hotels and guest houses near the training center and once you reserve your seat on the course, we will provide you with a detailed list of accommodation providers. Prices for accommodation vary from US$ 270 to US$ 450 per month.

  Ho Chi Minh City is a 20-minute taxi ride from the airport. A metered taxi charges approximately US$ 5 from Tan Son Nhat to the city center where our center is located.

• What travel documents will I need for vietnam?

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  All visitors to Vietnam are required to carry a passport valid for at least six months after their arrival date.

  Only nationals of Thailand, The Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Japan can stay in Vietnam for a maximum of 30 days without a visa. Citizens from all other countries must obtain a valid visa upon arriving in Vietnam.*

  * As this information is subject to change at any time, we advise you to contact your local consulate for current travel regulations prior to planning your trip. For more information on obtaining visas please check with your local Vietnamese consulate or embassy.

• What is the course schedule?

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  The first class and course orientation session will take place on Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. The full course schedule will also be provided at this time. Training sessions take place between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and suitable breaks are provided throughout the day.

  Trainees are expected to attend all input and other sessions included on the schedule unless they are sick and require medical treatment. This is particularly important for teaching practice. It is very difficult to arrange alternate times and there will be an additional fee for rescheduled teaching practice.

• What can I expect during teaching practice?

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  Lessons are delivered to students aged 16 years and older. The vast majority of students are Vietnamese but other nationalities do attend some classes. Class sizes vary from one-to-one lessons up to 16 students. Lessons are based upon real teaching resources found all over the world and you will have the chance to create your own materials as well. You will receive the aid of your course trainer throughout lesson planning and receive immediate feedback on your lesson after it’s been delivered. Practicum is assessed and a satisfactory assessment is required to earn your TEFL/TESOL certificate.

• Who usually attends the course?

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  We average 24 trainees on each course. The majority of trainees are British or American, while many others come from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, South Africa and the Philippines. Occasionally, we do get fluent non-native English speakers from Western Europe, Scandinavia, India, China, Thailand, etc. Trainees must be 18 years of age or older and the age range varies greatly depending on the course.

• Is there a dress code?

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  For all input and tutorial sessions at the training location, there is only one specific dress requirement: Both men and women should have a shirt covering their shoulders. The course operates from within a school so we ask you to be mindful of this, as well as being mindful of your peers and to respect the fact that you are a visitor in another country.

  During teaching practice there are specific requirements that adhere to the local dress code. All trainees are expected to dress professionally according to the following guidelines:

  Women: Shoulders should be covered, blouses with sleeves are suggested. No low-cut necklines, very short skirts or bare midriffs. Open-toed shoes are acceptable, but not hiking or flip-flop sandals.

  Men: Long pants, slacks or trousers are required, jeans are not acceptable. Short or long-sleeved shirts with a collar are necessary, although a tie is not required. Loafers or dress shoes are both fine, sandals are not acceptable. Long hair should always be tied back.

• What should I bring for course studies?

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  Please bring a pen and a notebook for taking notes during class. You may also want to bring a Dictaphone. It is not required equipment, but many trainees have commented that the possession of their recording device made the course easier for them. A laptop would also be particularly useful.