Home / Vietnam / Ho Chi Minh City

Most visitors to vietnam are overwhelmed by the sublime beauty of the country's natural setting: the Red River Delta in the north, the Mekong Delta in the south and almost the entire coastal strip are a patchwork of brilliant green rice paddies tended by women in conical hats.

There are some divine beaches along the coast, while inland there are soaring mountains, some of which are cloaked by dense, misty forests. Vietnam also offers an opportunity to see a country of traditional charm and rare beauty rapidly opening up to the outside world.

Despite its ongoing economic liberalisation and the pressures of rapid development, this dignified country has managed to preserve its rich civilisation and highly cultured society. It has discarded its post-war fatigues and the boom in budget travelling, coupled with the softening of government control, have enabled more contemporary and relevant portraits of the country to gain currency in the West.

Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is a sprawling metropolis of 7 million people. Still referred to as ""Saigon"" today, HCM city is the hub of financial activity and is the largest and most developed city in Vietnam. You will witness a mix of the old and new where modern skyscrapers are juxtaposed with faded colonial buildings. Amid the city's modernization still exist traditional elements visible in the variety of Chinese-style pagodas and historical landmarks such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Post Office and the Reunification Hall.

Ho Chi Minh City has a vibrant nightlife with many local and western bars and cafes concentrated in the city center. The city is also the culinary capital where you can sample a variety of foods ranging from Vietnamese regional specialties to international cuisine. Here you can find the best Vietnamese, French, and Chinese restaurants.

The Vietnam (American) War is a topic that still fascinates foreigners, and many of Ho Chi Minh City's tourist attractions focus on this interest. In central Saigon, the most intriguing sites for war buffs include the War Remnants Museum and Reunification Palace. A day trip to the Cu Chi tunnels is also most rewarding.

If you'd rather pursue the topic of religion, be sure to check out the Giac Lam Pagoda, Jade Emperor Pagoda and Vinh Nghiem Pagoda. A day-long excursion to Tay Ninh is required to visit the incredible Caodai Great Temple. Another worthwhile excursion is to the One Pillar Pagoda. Boat trips on the Saigon River are always a great way to take refuge from the urban pandemonium. Further afield, beach buffs are sure to appreciate either the glitter of commercialized Vung Tau or the tranquility of barely developed Long Hai.

The School

The TEFL International School is located close to a park, a bank, bookstore, and not far from the backpacker area where you can find excellent western, Vietnamese and vegetarian food at very inexpensive prices.

Facilities at the school include free internet access, tea and coffee, well-equipped classrooms and all the teaching resources and facilities that you will require for the duration of the course.

The staff of the school are experienced and friendly, willing to answer any questions you may have, and always there to help.

Accommodation

You can choose to stay in a private hotel room or an apartment located near the school building, which is in the city center area. All rooms have air-conditioning, a private bath, and are clean and adequately furnished.

Please be assured that any special requests or requirements regarding accommodation will be taken into account, and TEFL International will make every effort to honor such requests.

Course dates

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.

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.

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 final balance of the course fees can be paid on the first day of the course but this can only be done by credit/debit card, bank transfer or in 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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  Course orientation and the first class will take place on Monday at 9:00 a.m. Trainees will also receive the full course schedule on Monday morning. Classes usually run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with breaks 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.