Well, we saw this coming. Foreign teachers are facing problems securing the proper paperwork to teach in Vietnam now that Circular 03/2014 has gone into effect.

Under theses regulations, teachers are held to the same standards as “experts” who must have a document proving their qualifications (at least a Bachelor degree) and have at least 5 years experience in their field. Otherwise teachers must provide a document which certifies them as an expert from an authorized agency (whatever that means).

Since many foreign teachers in Vietnam do not meet all of the above criteria, they are unable to secure the proper paperwork to teach.

Tuoi Tre interviewed university officials and teachers about their newfound struggles which revealed a great deal of confusion about the new procedures.

Nguyen Van Phuc, principal of the Eastern International University located in the southern province of Binh Duong explained that his department doesn’t even know where to get the necessary documents to begin the process:

“We don’t know where to get that type of paper as even the consulate doesn’t grant it. This paper is unfamiliar with the foreign academic style,” he explained.

An Australian lecturer in Ho Chi Minh City told the paper that Vietnam seems to be creating a roadblock for attracting foreign talent that can help the country:

 “I have nearly five years of experience teaching in Vietnam and consider the country my second home. I appreciate the fact that Vietnam wants to find qualified people and protect local workers as they also deserve jobs, but it (the regulation) might stop many talented foreigners who want to contribute to the development of Vietnam,” he said.

To compound the problem, in May, HCMC’s labor authority announced that foreign workers will be required to apply for new licenses as opposed to extensions once their work permits expire.

All of these regulations seem to be a major roadblock for the country’s ambitious plans to increase English proficiency which includes having all its college students reach  a “confident level” of English by 2020.