Singapore International School - Saigon South vs Vietnam Australia International School - Ba Thang Hai Campus
Singapore International School - Saigon South and Vietnam Australia International School - Ba Thang Hai Campus are both in Ho Chi Minh City, about 5 km apart. Both schools offer Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge A Levels programmes, and Singapore International School - Saigon South also offers Cambridge International AS Levels and Singapore. Published annual fees are ₫280,615,000 - 626,014,000 at Singapore International School - Saigon South and ₫155,000,000 - 585,592,000 at Vietnam Australia International School - Ba Thang Hai Campus, which puts Singapore International School - Saigon South roughly 22% higher. Singapore International School - Saigon South takes pupils from 2 to 18, and Vietnam Australia International School - Ba Thang Hai Campus from 3 to 18. Typical class sizes are 25 at Singapore International School - Saigon South and 20 at Vietnam Australia International School - Ba Thang Hai Campus.
Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Singapore Curriculum
Curriculum
Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels
Pupils
Pupils
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Pupils
2,500
Typical class size
Typical class size
25
Typical class size
20
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English, Vietnamese
Opened
Opened
2007
Opened
2006
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Singapore International School @ Saigon South is located at 29 Street No. 3, Trung Son Residential Area, Hamlet 4, Binh Hung Commune, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The campus sits in a quiet residential neighborhood close to the Phu My Hung urban area, about 20 minutes from District 1 by car. It is easily accessible via main city roads and is well connected to nearby family communities in Saigon South.
Location
Vietnam Australia International School – Ba Thang Hai Campus is located at 594 Ba Thang Hai Street, Dien Hong Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The campus sits in District 10, a central urban area of Ho Chi Minh City known for its access to main roads and residential neighbourhoods, making the school reachable for families living across the city. Its location is convenient for daily commuting and close to a range of local amenities.
Stages
Stages
The school provides a continuous educational pathway from Pre-School through High School. It begins with Pre-School for children from approximately 18 months to below 6 years, followed by Primary and Junior High (Years 1–9), and continues into Senior High with Cambridge IGCSE, AS, and A Level programmes.
Stages
The Ba Thang Hai campus offers education from Kindergarten through Primary School, Secondary School, and High School, following the Cambridge International Programme alongside the Vietnamese National Curriculum.
School type
School type
Singapore International School @ Saigon South is a co-educational day school.
School type
The school is co-educational, welcoming both boys and girls across all grade levels.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
The school’s learning framework supports students at different stages of English language proficiency through its Integrated and International Programmes. While there is a strong focus on language acquisition and academic support, the school does not publish a dedicated Special Educational Needs (SEN) department or programme.
Additional learning support
The school does not provide specific details about additional learning support provisions such as SEN programmes for students with special educational needs.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school is part of the KinderWorld Education Group and follows a blend of Singapore and Cambridge curricula. It is not affiliated with any specific country’s national education system.
Country affiliation
The school does not have any country affiliations.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
The school has no religious affiliations.
Religious affiliation
The school does not have any religious affiliations.
School day structure
School day structure
Classes at Singapore International School @ Saigon South begin at 8:25 am and finish at 4:45 pm. The day starts with a short Form Class session followed by Breakfast, and lessons are scheduled in 45-minute periods throughout the day. Lunch takes place between 11:15 am and 12:45 pm, depending on year level, and there is an afternoon Recess from 2:15 pm to 2:30 pm. The final period is followed by Extra-Curricular Activities (ECAs) from 4:00 pm to 4:45 pm.
School day structure
The school day varies slightly by level. Kindergarten lessons run from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.Primary School operates from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.Secondary School begins at 7:30 a.m. and finishes at 4:30 p.m. These schedules provide full-day learning with time allocated for classroom activities, breaks, meals and end-of-day pick-up.
Bus service details
Bus service details
The school provides a dedicated bus service for students living in and around Ho Chi Minh City. Routes are organized by residential zones, and each bus has an attendant to assist younger students. Pick-up and drop-off times are scheduled according to location, with fees varying by distance from the campus.
Bus service details
The school has bus transportation available across locations, with buses that pick up students of all grades across the city, prioritizing safety and supervised by professional staff.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application and Registration Fees
* Placement Test Fee: VND 2,940,000 per student (International Programme only) * Registration Fee: VND 21,500,000 per student (International Programme); VND 6,450,000 per student (Kindergarten Programme) * Deposit: VND 15,000,000 per student (International Programme); VND 20,000,000 for Kindergarten 1–2 and VND 26,000,000 for Preparatory Class (termly payment basis)
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Tuition Fees (2025 Academic Year)
*International Kindergarten (Full Day)*
* Kindergarten 1 & 2: VND 280,615,000 per year / VND 70,154,000 per term * Preparatory: VND 358,797,000 per year / VND 89,700,000 per term
*International Programme (Primary to A Level)*
* Year 1 – Year 3: VND 498,380,000 per year * Year 4 – Year 5: VND 500,688,000 per year * Year 6: VND 502,288,000 per year * Year 7 – Year 8: VND 527,608,000 per year * Year 9 – Year 10 (IGCSE): VND 587,479,000 per year * AS / A Level 1: VND 598,515,000 per year * AS / A Level 2: VND 626,014,000 per year
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Billing Schedule and Payment Terms
* Fees may be paid annually (one instalment) or termly (four instalments). * Annual payments are due 30 days before the first day of school. * Termly payments follow this schedule:
* 1st term – 35% (before school starts) * 2nd term – 25% (due 14 days before end of term) * 3rd term – 25% * 4th term – 15%
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Other Costs
* Uniforms, books, e-learning materials, meals, transportation, and insurance are billed separately. * Short-term daily care (Kindergarten 1–2) is VND 1,676,000 per day. * Additional expenses (e.g., field trips, camps, stationery) are paid as incurred.
Refund and Payment Options Refund policies are not detailed in the fee structure. Payments may be made via telegraphic transfer
Integrated Programme is delivered through collaboration between Singapore Vietnam International School and Singapore International School. The school is accredited by Cambridge and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The campus features science labs and a swimming pool.
Governance and ownership
The Ba Thang Hai Campus is part of Vietnam Australia International School (VAS), a multi-campus school group.
Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
The curriculum at Singapore International School @ Saigon South follows a structured pathway from early childhood through pre-university levels. In the Pre-School years, children follow an inquiry-based programme that blends play, language development, and early numeracy. The Primary and Junior High levels are based on the Singapore Curriculum, with subjects including English, Mathematics, Science, Chinese, and Vietnamese, emphasizing foundational skills and bilingual learning. From Year 9 onward, students transition to the Cambridge International Curriculum, preparing for IGCSE examinations in Years 9–10. The final two years—AS and A Levels—offer internationally recognized qualifications through Cambridge Assessment International Education, supporting progression to global universities. Across all levels, English is the main language of instruction, with Chinese and Vietnamese taught as additional languages.
Curriculum details
Vietnam Australia International School – Ba Thang Hai Campus delivers an education from Kindergarten through Primary, Secondary, and High School that integrates the Cambridge International Programme with the Vietnamese National Curriculum. The school offers multiple Cambridge study pathways including the Cambridge Academic Programme International (CAPI), Cambridge Academic Programme (CAP) combined with the national curriculum and the Cambridge English Programme (CEP) across various year levels.
The school mentions a “Virtues Programme” that reinforces character traits such as teamwork, perseverance and effective communication from early years through to high school. Since the Integrated and International Programmes include “self-confidence” and “leadership” development via an outward-bound course, these elements contribute to social-emotional learning. The website does not give detailed structure (e.g., dedicated SEL lessons, names of staff or mapped progression) beyond these mentions.
Social & emotional learning
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding its Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) programmes.
Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
The school does not publicly disclose a detailed SEN policy or clearly defined categories of special educational needs supported. There is no accessible section on the website that lists staff dedicated to SEN, support tiers, or specialist facilities. Thus, it is not described as a specialist SEN institution.
Special educational needs (SEN)
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding Special Educational Needs (SEN) support.
English as an additional language
English as an additional language
The school states that English language development is a key focus and offers a “Nexgen’s English Competency Programme (neo™)” in the Integrated Programme from Year 3 upwards. However, there is no publicly-published detailed EAL programme (for students whose first language is not English), such as small-group EAL classes, exit criteria, or specialist staff. Therefore, specific EAL provision cannot be verified beyond the stated focus on English competency.
English as an additional language
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding English as an Additional Language (EAL) support. While English is part of the Cambridge curriculum offered at VAS, the school does not specify whether tailored EAL programmes, specialist teachers, or targeted language-support pathways are provided for students who require additional assistance.
Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
No dedicated public page on the school website outlines mental-health programmes, counsellors or well-being initiatives by name. While character education (via the Virtues Programme) and leadership/outward-bound activities are featured, there is no clearly described mental-wellbeing support framework (e.g., counselling service, emotional-health workshops) available in the publicly accessible materials.
Mental wellbeing
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding mental wellbeing programmes or services.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding
Singapore International School @ Saigon South prioritises the welfare and safety of all students in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The campus incorporates safety measures such as CCTV and high-visibility classrooms. A school nurse, Guidance Counsellors, and designated Student Protection Officers are available for student support. Concerns about harm or neglect are reported to these contacts and referred to the Principal for follow-up. Students receive lessons on personal safety and protective behaviours through the Virtues Programme. All staff complete annual child protection training, and recruitment includes police background checks and reference verification.
Safeguarding
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding safeguarding or child protection policies.
Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
The school is a purpose-built international facility designed to provide an ideal learning environment for 21st-century students. It has specialized rooms for the arts and music, fully equipped science labs, computer rooms, and technology throughout the campus. The campus features multiple outdoor sports facilities and a covered swimming pool. The layout supports integrated learning across academic and co-curricular areas. The facilities reflect a commitment to providing a broad range of learning spaces for diverse activities.
Facilities overview
Ba Thang Hai Campus was established in 2006 and is the first Mega campus, offering a comprehensive journey from Kindergarten to High School. The faculty comprises experienced educators from Vietnam and around the world who deliver the Cambridge International Programme. The campus adheres to safety, fire prevention, and ventilation regulations. Classrooms and functional rooms are purpose-built for student comfort and learning and are equipped with professional teaching aids and laboratory equipment.
Sports facilities
Sports facilities
Outdoor sports facilities are available on the campus. A covered swimming pool is on site for aquatic activities. The Basketball Yard provides space for team sports and physical education. The campus supports outdoor physical education and sport programs through these facilities. The facilities complement indoor spaces for fitness and recreational activities.
Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
The school has specialized rooms for the arts and music. It has fully equipped science laboratories. Computer rooms are available and technology is integrated throughout the campus. A dedicated STEM Room supports STEM-related learning, and there are multiple laboratories for experiments. Classrooms are distributed across the site to support varied teaching and learning activities.
Academic facilities
Cambridge Academic Programme International is the primary learning pathway at Ba Thang Hai Campus. Most subjects are taught in English, with only a few taught in Vietnamese. Graduates receive globally recognized Cambridge certificates.
Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
The campus includes spaces that support extracurricular activities, including two music rooms and a STEM Room. There are laboratories for practical work and a playground and Basketball Yard for outdoor activities. The facilities enable a broad range of after-school programs in arts, science, and sports.
Extra curricular facilities
Student achievements include Abacus Mental Math World City Cup 2018, American Mathematics Olympiad, Singapore Mathematics Olympiad (SASMO), Titan Math Olympiad, and a Digital Piano Competition and Ethnic Instruments at District 10 level.
Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
SIS @ SS was founded in 2007 and is part of the KinderWorld Education Group. It operates under the group’s network of international schools in Vietnam, providing students with access to global curriculum pathways and upholding Eastern values. Over time the school has expanded its programmes to include both an Integrated Programme for Vietnamese students and an International Programme for students seeking Cambridge qualification routes.
History
Vietnam Australia International School – Ba Thang Hai Campus was established in 2006 as the first “Mega Campus” in the VAS system, serving students from Kindergarten to High School. The campus has been part of the broader VAS network, which provides Cambridge and national curriculum education delivered by experienced teachers from Vietnam and overseas.
Community
Community
The school community actively engages in annual cultural and celebratory events including the Mid-Autumn Festival, Christmas Charity Fair, International Friendship Day and school concerts. These events bring together students, staff and parents in shared activities, reinforcing a sense of belonging and cultural awareness.
Community
Ba Thang Hai Campus participates in a variety of community and student events, including mock trials on school safety, creative arts events like painting contests, charity and service-oriented projects such as “Green Detox for the Wardrobe,” as well as broader system-wide activities like “VAS’s Got Talent.” These activities reflect a pattern of structured extracurricular and community engagement.
Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
SIS @ SS’s PTA involves parents, teachers and staff collaborating on community initiatives and social gatherings. Activities include a Coffee & Sports Club, Art Wonder Club (where parents meet for creative sessions), Spanish Language Club, and Pilates Club for parent wellbeing. The PTA organizes events such as open house activities and volunteer-led committees to support new families and build parent networks.
Parent teacher association
The official Vietnam Australia International School website does not disclose specific information regarding a Parent Teacher Association (PTA).
Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
The school offers two study pathways: International Programme and Integrated Programme. The International Programme is conducted in English and led by qualified local teachers. The Integrated Programme is conducted in English and led by qualified local teachers.
Academic & intellectual
VAS's Extracurricular Activities (ECA) Programme includes academic and talent competitions across campuses. Examples include VAS Olympics, VAS Got Talent, VAS MC Contest, VAS Painting Contest, English Speaking Contest, and Math – Robocon – Science Competitions. All students are encouraged to participate, enabling them to apply learning in competitive formats and to showcase talents.
Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
Internal Extra Curricular Activities include creative environments and arts-focused clubs such as painting, drama, and music. Students participate in performances and competitions like VAS Got Talent and VAS MC Contest, and in visual arts contests such as the VAS Painting Contest. These activities support artistic development across campuses.
Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
Most subjects are taught in English under the Cambridge Academic Programme International (CAPI). The ECA includes an English Speaking Contest. Language learning and cultural exposure are supported through English-language activities and cross-campus events. Practical outdoor activities contribute to cultural understanding.
Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
Internal Extra Curricular Activities include sporting clubs, creative environments, and critical thinking skills clubs, run by both foreign and Vietnamese teachers. After-school Extracurricular Activities are delivered through partnerships with professional training organisations in areas such as dancing, swimming, cooking, hiking, yoga, football and basketball. Participation supports social interaction and the development of hobbies.
Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
Community activities are encouraged as part of the ECA Programme. Students can participate in programmes related to environment protection or philanthropy to build community spirit and kindness. The ECA content includes the VAS Community Programme as an example of such initiatives.
Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
The ECA Programme emphasises life skills development through its activities. Clubs are conducted by both foreign and Vietnamese teachers. Participation supports collaboration and communication skills.
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Internal Extracurricular Activities include sporting clubs and after-school physical activities. After-school activities include dancing, swimming, cooking, hiking, yoga, football and basketball. Practical outdoor activities involve outdoor learning sessions and field trips to historic sites and natural environments to support holistic wellbeing.
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
The school uses English as the primary instructional language with strong English language skills development, supported by Nexgen's English Competency Programme (neo™). Vietnamese language is taught as part of the MOET curriculum in the Integrated Programme, and Vietnamese language study is offered where appropriate in the International Programme. Chinese language is offered as part of the International Programme. The school's education pathways run from pre-school to senior high, including Cambridge IGCSE and AS/A Levels.
Language provision
Languages taught: English and Vietnamese. The primary medium of instruction is English; a minority of subjects are taught in Vietnamese. Cambridge English Programme (CEP) is available for language development. The Cambridge Academic Programme International (CAPI) and Cambridge Academic Programme (CAP) routes are provided for Kindergarten through High School.
Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
Pre-School Integrated Programme classes are led by Vietnamese teachers and conducted in English. From Primary, the Integrated Programme blends the MOET Vietnamese curriculum with international components, with English as the main language of instruction and Vietnamese language studied as appropriate. The International Programme offers Chinese and Vietnamese languages.
Bilingual teaching
Cambridge Academic Programme International (CAPI) is used for instruction. Most subjects are taught in English, with only a few taught in Vietnamese. The program covers Kindergarten through High School, and graduates receive Cambridge certificates.
Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
The school does not publicly state awards won in the past.
Accreditations
Accreditations
* Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC): SIS @ Saigon South is accredited by WASC, a U.S. regional accrediting agency that ensures schools meet international standards of educational quality and institutional effectiveness.
* Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB): The school’s curriculum and assessment practices are aligned with SEAB, which oversees the national examinations system in Singapore.
* Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE): SIS @ Saigon South is an approved Cambridge International Centre, offering students IGCSE and AS/A Level qualifications recognised by universities worldwide.
* Nexgen’s English Competency Programme (neo™): The school implements this English-language development framework to support students’ English proficiency across grade levels.
* Outward Bound Vietnam: The school partners with Outward Bound Vietnam to provide structured outdoor education and leadership experiences for students.
* Affiliated Institutions: Partnerships include Hwa Chong Institution (Singapore), Elmhurst University (USA), and Edinburgh Napier University (Scotland), expanding pathways for further education and exchange opportunities.
Accreditations
Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) Vietnam Australia International School (VAS) states that it is *“the first school in Vietnam recognized as a partner of Cambridge Assessment International Education”* and delivers the Cambridge International Programme across its system, including Ba Thang Hai Campus. This partnership means VAS is authorised to offer Cambridge pathways and examinations such as Primary Checkpoint, Lower Secondary Checkpoint, IGCSE and AS & A Level, with students receiving internationally recognised Cambridge qualifications issued by CAIE.
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
1. Complete the Application Form Parents begin by submitting the school’s official online application form and providing supporting documentation such as birth certificate, previous academic transcripts, health records and photographs. The application fee is required before the screening process can be scheduled.
2. Screening, Assessment & Placement Applicants to the International Programme undergo assessments in English and mathematics; for those applying to the Integrated Programme, placement tests and age-based screening determine the most suitable year group. Class size limits and year-group availability are taken into account during this step.
3. Decision & Offer Letter Once screening is complete and contingent on space being available, the school issues a formal offer. If the relevant year group is full, the applicant may be placed on a waitlist until a vacancy opens.
4. Enrollment and Payment Upon being offered a place, parents accept the offer, sign the required documents, and pay the required deposit or tuition fee according to the school’s billing schedule before the student begins.
5. Orientation & Final Placement New students are placed in the appropriate class and participate in any orientation activities; older students may have placement interviews to ensure the correct curriculum track is selected.
Admissions
1. Begin by completing the registration form for your child, which starts their admissions journey from Kindergarten through High School. During this step, you provide basic family and student information so the school can begin processing your inquiry and contact you with next steps. Registration is the official first step that opens access to assessment scheduling and pathway guidance.
2. Once registration is submitted, students are scheduled for placement testing appropriate to their age level. For Kindergarten, this involves a psychological and physical survey, while Primary and Secondary applicants sit tests in English, Vietnamese and Mathematics. Following assessment, the school and family discuss the most suitable learning pathway.
3. After tests and pathway decisions, families complete the formal admissions application, providing required documentation and education history. This includes submitting identification, academic records and any other forms requested by the admissions office. At this stage, families also handle payment of fees such as registration and any deposits. Upon acceptance, the school confirms enrolment and provides information about start dates and next administrative steps.
Scholarships
Scholarships
The publicly available information for SIS @ SS does not clearly list a specific scholarship programme open to all applicants.
Scholarships
Vietnam Australia International School offers scholarship programmes that recognize academic performance and other student achievements as part of its commitment to supporting student access. There are three main scholarship types available:
* Academic Scholarship Programme: This award is given to students who demonstrate strong academic results in the VAS Entrance and Scholarship Exam. It is open to students entering Grades 1 through 12. * Sport Scholarship Programme: This is available for students who achieve results in recognised sports competitions outside of school. Applicants are assessed based on sporting achievement certificates. * Arts Scholarship Programme: This supports students who demonstrate excellence in arts activities, with eligibility based on arts competition results.
Waitlist
Waitlist
SIS @ SS operates a waitlist system when a given year group is fully subscribed. Qualified applicants are placed on the waitlist and will be offered a place in the order of availability once a vacancy arises.
Waitlist
The school does not publicly disclose information on any existing waitlist system.