For the time being, many foreigners live, work and study in Da Nang, leading to a growing demand for learning the Vietnamese language. This trend opens up many career opportunities, including the profession of Vietnamese tutor for foreigners.

The Director of the Lotus Vietnamese Language Centre is teaching the Vietnamese language to a group of foreign students. Photo: MINH TRUNG

Along with the increase in demand for learning Vietnamese, tutoring has not only become a job that helps students or young people earn extra income, but also an opportunity for them to practice communication skills and accumulate professional experience.

Facing this trend, many young people have taken advantage of the opportunity to try their hand at Vietnamese tutoring. Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh, a former student of the English Pedagogy Department at Da Nang University of Foreign Language Studies, used to be a tour guide and now works as a Vietnamese tutor.

She has taught students from the United States and Australia and is currently maintaining online classes having a French student. Teaching Vietnamese not only brings income but also helps her gain a deeper understanding of cultural differences between countries, while expanding her network of relationships and career opportunities.

In addition to provision of freelance tutors, many Vietnamese training centres have also been established to meet the increasing needs of international students. The Lotus Vietnamese Language Centre in Da Nang, under the leadership of Hao Nguyen, a Master of Linguistics from the United States, is attracting a large number of students, especially foreign experts working long-term in Viet Nam.

She said the number of students is increasing and emphasized that an effective teaching method not only helps them master grammar but also creates confidence in using Vietnamese in daily life. The development of these centres has enriched the Vietnamese tutoring job market.

Vietnamese tutors can earn a fairly good income, with each lesson lasting about an hour bringing in US$15 - 20. However, this salary can vary depending on teaching experience and student evaluation. Students from Europe are often willing to pay higher fees than those from S. Korea or China.

Despite the attractive income, the Vietnamese tutoring profession requires teachers to not only have solid language knowledge but also good foreign language skills and patience. Vietnamese is a complex language with a tonal system and polysemous words. This makes teaching a challenge, requiring tutors to have flexible explanation skills.

In addition to Da Nang, the demand for learning Vietnamese is also increasing in big cities such as the capital city of Ha Noi and the southern metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City. It is forecasted that in the next five years, the number of Vietnamese teachers will need to increase 3 - 4 times to meet the demand.

Master Le Thi Nhung, a lecturer of Chinese at the Da Nang University of Foreign Language Studies, believes that training Vietnamese teachers needs to be invested in systematically and carefully prepared. To meet the increasing demand for learning Vietnamese, not only freelance tutors but also training centres play an important role in providing high-quality human resources.

In order to encourage learning Vietnamese, many activities are being organised, such as the Vietnamese speaking contest for foreigners in Da Nang in 2025 taking place from March 20 to May 31, to improve language skills and create opportunities for cultural exchange.

David Thompson, a British engineer working in Da Nang, said that learning Vietnamese has helped him integrate better into the local community. “I used to think that knowing English was enough. But when I lived here, I realized that knowing Vietnamese helps me communicate more easily, especially with colleagues and local people”.

The strong development of the Vietnamese tutoring profession not only brings career opportunities for those who love teaching but also contributes to raising the position of the Vietnamese language in the context of global integration. When foreigners learn and use Vietnamese fluently, they not only communicate more effectively but also gain a deeper understanding of the Vietnamese culture, contributing to promoting cultural exchange and enriching the experience of living in Viet Nam.

Reporting by MINH TRUNG - Translating by A.THU