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Affordable International Schools in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Edited by · B2C Marketing Manager

About international schools in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Affordable international options in Ho Chi Minh City commonly include bilingual private schools that pair the Vietnamese Ministry (MOET) programme with English-medium pathways such as Cambridge or other international syllabuses, as well as smaller English-language international schools that sit below the city’s high-fee tier. Parents will find British/IGCSE, International Baccalaureate, American and Australian-style programmes among the wider market, and English is normally the main language of instruction while Vietnamese is taught intensively in bilingual tracks. Typical tuition for the more affordable bilingual tier starts in the low thousands of US dollars per year for early years and can rise to mid-five figures at flagship bilingual campuses, whereas full English-medium international schools are generally more expensive. The school year commonly follows a late-August/September start with a mix of annual intakes and rolling admissions, so expect entry assessments, application fees and placement deposits at many schools when you apply.

Compare 25 Affordable international schools in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Filter by curriculum, fees (average VND 165,552,181), location, and more to find the right international school now.

At a glance 25 schools · avg fee VND 165,552,181
Schools listed
25
Curricula
20
Average annual fee
VND 165,552,181
Fee range
VND 5,790 – 397,700,000
Most common curriculum
Vietnamese Curriculum (11 schools)
Average school size
2,154 pupils
Largest by enrolment
Pathway School - Phu Cuong Kindergarten
Oldest
The ABC International School (ABCIS) (1995)
With boarding
2
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FAQs for Vietnam

What is the difference between a bilingual school and a fully international school in Ho Chi Minh City?
Bilingual schools teach the Vietnamese national curriculum alongside an international stream (often Cambridge or an English-language syllabus), which keeps students eligible for Vietnamese qualifications while giving substantial English instruction; these schools are widely used by Vietnamese and foreign families. Fully international schools deliver a foreign curriculum end-to-end (IB, British, American, etc.) and historically have different regulatory/quotas for Vietnamese national students, so check each school’s admissions policy before applying.
How much should we budget for an 'affordable' international or bilingual school in the city?
Affordable bilingual schools often start in the low thousands of US dollars a year for early years and typically sit significantly below the cost of tier-one international schools; mid-tier bilingual campuses commonly charge several thousand to low tens of thousands per year depending on age and extras. English-medium international schools generally charge more, and the overall cost can rise when you add enrolment fees, capital levies, transport, meals and exam charges.
When should we apply and what does the admissions rhythm look like?
Most schools in Ho Chi Minh City follow a northern-hemisphere academic calendar with a late-August/September start and an intake peak before the new year, but many also operate rolling admissions for mid-year transfers. Popular year groups may have waiting lists, and schools commonly require online application forms, age-appropriate assessments in English (and sometimes Vietnamese) and proof of prior schooling, so start enquiries several months before your preferred start date.
Will our child keep up with Vietnamese language and culture at an affordable international school?
If keeping Vietnamese language and subjects is important, choose a bilingual school or an international school that offers Vietnamese language and culture classes; bilingual programmes intentionally integrate Vietnamese lessons so students meet local curriculum expectations while studying in English. Many bilingual campuses advertise dual-language pathways designed for both Vietnamese families and internationally mobile households, but the intensity and qualification outcomes vary, so ask to see timetables and sample reports.
What practical things should we check when touring affordable international schools?
Ask for recent fee schedules and a clear list of what is included (tuition, meals, transport, exam and capital levies) and check the admissions costs such as application fees and placement deposits, which some schools require to secure a place. Also review accreditation or authorisation (IB/Cambridge/etc.), teacher qualifications and staff turnover, sample reports and how the school supports mid-year joiners and language learning; these factors matter more than glossy facilities when assessing long-term value.