What's drawing expats to Vietnam? Landing a teacher job tops the list

Vietnam has risen to 5th place globally as one of the best destinations for expats, with employment being the top reason people relocate to the country—especially in the education sector.

According to InterNations’ Expat Insider 2025 survey, 22% of expatriates reported that they moved to Vietnam after securing or applying for a job locally, making it the most cited reason for relocation. Adventure and personal challenge ranked second at 13%, while international recruitment and being sent by an employer accounted for 7% each.

Once settled, education dominates as the primary employment sector for expats, representing 42% of those working abroad in Vietnam. This far surpasses other industries such as transportation and logistics, coaching and consulting, and media, which each account for around 10%.

Vietnam’s appeal to expats goes beyond work opportunities. The country ranks first globally for personal finances for the fifth consecutive year, with nearly nine out of ten respondents satisfied with the cost of living. Additionally, 87% say their disposable income is sufficient or more than sufficient to live comfortably. These financial advantages make Vietnam particularly attractive for mid-career teachers, language instructors, and school administrators who can secure employment quickly while maximizing their earnings.

The country also ranks 11th on the Working Abroad Index, reflecting solid scores across career prospects, salary and job security, work-life balance, and work satisfaction. While not at the very top, these results indicate a supportive environment for professionals, especially in education and training roles.

The Expat Insider survey, conducted by InterNations through February 2025, gathered responses from 10,085 expats across 172 nationalities living worldwide. It included a wide range of expats, from corporate assignees and retirees to self-made expats and those relocating for personal reasons.

Vietnam ranks just behind Panama, Colombia, Mexico, and Thailand in the global top five. Completing the top ten are China, the UAE, Indonesia, Spain, and Malaysia.