International Schools in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Compare 2 international schools in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Filter by curriculum, fees (average VND 1,870,000,000), location, and more to find the right international school now.
The ABC International School (ABCIS) - Ấp 50 (1995)
About international schools in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City has Vietnam’s largest concentration of international schools, offering a wide choice of curricula - commonly International Baccalaureate, British (Cambridge IGCSE/A-Level) and US-style programmes as well as bilingual Vietnam-international streams - and most schools use English as the principal medium of instruction. Many schools also teach Vietnamese as a compulsory subject and offer bilingual or language-specific streams (French, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and others) for families who want stronger multilingual provision. Annual tuition varies widely - roughly from lower-tier bilingual options in the low thousands of US dollars to high-fee senior programmes in the mid-tens of thousands, and many schools charge separate one-off registration or capital levies on top of annual fees. Admissions usually centre on an August/September start with rolling enrolment possible through the year, but popular year groups often fill early so families should apply well before a planned move and budget time for assessments, deposits and visa paperwork.
What curricula will my child find in Ho Chi Minh City and how do they differ?
You will commonly see the International Baccalaureate (PYP/MYP/DP), British curricula that prepare students for Cambridge IGCSEs and A-Levels, and US-style or international American programmes; some schools combine international curricula with Vietnamese national content in bilingual streams. IB emphasises a continuum of inquiry and internal/external assessment across age ranges, British programmes use staged public examinations (IGCSE/A-Level), and American programmes often follow course credits and externally reported testing; the choice affects assessment, university preparation and the classroom style.
How much should we budget for tuition and extra school costs?
Tuition is highly variable: lower-cost bilingual or ‘international-flavoured’ schools often sit in the several-thousand-dollar range per year, while higher-fee international secondary programmes commonly reach the mid-to-high tens of thousands of US dollars annually. In addition to tuition expect one-off registration or placement deposits, possible capital or building levies and extras for buses, meals, uniforms and trips; individual school fee schedules and published annual increases are the best source for exact figures.
When should we apply, and do schools accept students year-round?
Most international schools in Ho Chi Minh City have a main intake that aligns with an August/September academic year start, and many also accept rolling applications during the year if places are available. Popular entry years (early primary and specific secondary grades) can fill quickly, so families planning a relocation should contact admissions as early as possible, request timelines for assessments and offers, and be prepared to submit registration deposits to secure a place.
What is the language of instruction and will my child get Vietnamese taught at school?
English is the primary language of instruction at most international schools, and nearly all schools provide structured Vietnamese lessons - either as a mother-tongue or language-acquisition option - while some schools run full bilingual tracks with roughly equal English and Vietnamese (or another language) contact. If maintaining home language or preparing for Vietnamese national requirements is important, ask each school for its language programme, weekly contact hours and how it supports learners at different proficiency levels.
What practical steps should relocating families take before arriving?
Apply early and collect all required documents (passports, previous school reports, vaccination records and any assessment reports), ask admissions about registration deposits, refund policies and whether the school maintains a waiting list, and budget for school transport, meals and extra-curricular fees. Also check visa and residence requirements for your family and for any staff-sponsored permits the school may assist with; arranging a campus visit or an online meeting with admissions will clarify curriculum fit, support for English language learners and special educational needs provision.
