A vectorial modal method is presented based on transverse magnetic and transverse electric mode expansion, which significantly simplifies the evaluation of the operator matrix. The method, which features a true open boundary condition, is introduced for an orthogonal curvilinear coordinate system with the specific examples of circular and elliptical geometries presented. We validate the method by considering challenging problems, such as the calculation of spontaneous emission rates, of modal reflection coefficients and of the effect of the emitter spatial misalignment on the spontaneous emission β factor. Results are compared with literature.