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La Petite Ecole Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City

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The school at a glance
Instructs in French, English
Fees ₫180,500,000 - 289,600,000
Ages 1 - 11 years
Pupil numbers 350
Opened 2017
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum French Curriculum
Taught languages French, English, Vietnamese
Typical class size 19
Strengths Languages, Visual and Creative Arts, Sport
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Primary School
Introduction

La Petite Ecole Ho Chi Minh City is a bilingual French international school offering nursery, preschool and primary education in Ho Chi Minh City. Opened in 2017 and located in the Thao Dien neighborhood of District 2, it is accredited by the French Ministry of Education for cycles 1, 2 and 3 since 2020–2023 and is part of the AEFE network. The school teaches the French National Curriculum in bilingual French–English instruction, with Vietnamese language introduced from kindergarten onward. The 4,500 m² campus includes bright classrooms with IT equipment, two libraries, an auditorium, art and music rooms, language rooms, a 25‑meter swimming pool, a football pitch, a basketball court, two playgrounds, a nap room and a communal canteen. The program emphasises autonomous, curious learning and the integration of technology. It attracts families from many nationalities and aims to provide a small-scale, caring environment with a family-like atmosphere.

172 - 180 Nguyen Van Huong Street, Thao Dien Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

The Essentials

La Petite Ecole Ho Chi Minh City has 350 pupils, typical class sizes of 19, instruction in French, English.

Location
La Petite Ecole Ho Chi Minh City is located in the Thao Dien neighbourhood of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The campus sits on a green, purpose‑built site of about 4,500 m² in a family‑friendly area near local transport routes. The street address is 172‑180 Nguyen Van Huong, Thao Dien, Thu Duc City. Thao Dien is in the city's District 2, now part of Thu Duc City.

Stages
The school provides nursery, preschool (Cycle 1) and primary (Cycle 2 and Cycle 3). It accepts children from 12 months in nursery, then 3–6 years in Preschool (PS/MS/GS), 7–9 years in Primary Cycle 2 (CP/CE1/CE2), and 10–11 years in Primary Cycle 3 (CM1/CM2).

Type
The institution is co‑educational and operates as a bilingual French‑English international school. It does not advertise boarding facilities; a daycare service is available after official hours.

Additional learning support
The school offers targeted language support for students who do not speak French or English on arrival, including FLE and ESL in small groups. It emphasises personal development and inclusive practices to accommodate individual learning needs.

Country affiliation
The school is affiliated with France through the AEFE network and is accredited by the French Ministry of Education.

Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation is not indicated in official materials.

School day structure
The nursery (ages 1–3) operates 7:30 am–4:30 pm. Early Years and Elementary begin at 8:30 am (doors open at 8:00 am). On Mondays–Thursdays the day ends at 3:15 pm (with optional collection until 3:30 pm); on Fridays, Early Years ends at 12:15 pm and Elementary at 12:30 pm. After‑school activities are offered. A daycare service is available after hours.

Bus service
A school‑organised bus service operates with six routes. Morning buses are scheduled to arrive before 8:15 am; afternoon departures are typically at 3:30 pm or 4:30 pm from Monday to Thursday, with Friday options at 12:30 pm or 3:30 pm.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Boarding is not offered at La Petite Ecole Ho Chi Minh City. An optional daycare service is available after school from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Thursday, and from 1:00 to 3:15 p.m. on Fridays, for students who wish to stay on campus. The daycare provides access to the library and games area and includes a mid-afternoon snacks. Registrations are by period and can be paired with extracurricular activities.

Uniform Requirement
Uniforms are compulsory for all students from the 2023-2024 school year. The uniform options include shorts, pants, short-sleeved or long-sleeved polo shirts for everyday wear, as well as sportswear and optional caps.

Food Options
There are two on-site canteen areas. Meals are prepared daily in the kitchen and approved by a French nutritionist; ingredients are sourced from supermarkets with origin controls, and meat is imported from Australia; meals are fresh and handcrafted. The canteen offers seven rotating menus per year, including two Western and two Vietnamese dishes, plus vegetarian options every other week; the school can accommodate allergies or other dietary requirements.

Governance and Ownership
La Petite Ecole Ho Chi Minh City is part of the Odyssey Education group, a private international education group. Odyssey is affiliated with AEFE and accredited by the French Ministry of Education; the executive president is Luc Chatel, and the group relies on contributions from families to operate.
Fees

Annual tuition at La Petite Ecole Ho Chi Minh City ranges from VND 180,500,000 to VND 289,600,000 for 2026/27.

Application & Enrolment

Nursery Enrolment: VND 10,500,000

Early Years & Elementary Enrolment: VND 15,000,000

Re-enrolment: VND 7,200,000

Tuition Fees

Nursery (1–3 years) - 5 Full Days

- Annual Fee: VND 200,000,000 (includes canteen).

- 1st Term: VND 80,000,000.

- 2nd Term: VND 60,000,000.

- 3rd Term: VND 60,000,000.

Nursery (1–3 years) - 5 Mornings

- Annual Fee: VND 163,000,000 (includes canteen).

- 1st Term: VND 65,200,000.

- 2nd Term: VND 48,900,000.

- 3rd Term: VND 48,900,000.

Early Years (3–6 years)

- Annual Fee: VND 273,500,000 (includes canteen fees).

- 1st Term: VND 109,400,000.

- 2nd Term: VND 82,050,000.

- 3rd Term: VND 82,050,000.

Elementary (6–11 years)

- Annual Fee: VND 301,500,000 (includes canteen fees).

- 1st Term: VND 120,600,000.

- 2nd Term: VND 90,450,000.

- 3rd Term: VND 90,450,000.

Billing Schedule

1st Term Deadline: August 31, 2026.

2nd Term Deadline: December 15, 2026.

3rd Term Deadline: March 15, 2027.

Early Bird: ~5% discount if annual fee paid by May 31, 2026.

Additional Information

Discounts: 5% for 2nd child, 10% for 3rd child.

Uniforms: Mandatory and charged separately.

Refunds: Any term started is due in full; refunds based on normal rates.
Academics

La Petite Ecole Ho Chi Minh City teaches French Curriculum for students aged 1 to 11.

Curriculum
La Petite Ecole Ho Chi Minh City offers nursery through CM2 in a bilingual French–English program, with Vietnamese introduced from kindergarten. The curriculum follows the French National Curriculum, organized into Cycle 1 (nursery/preschool), Cycle 2 (CP–CE2), and Cycle 3 (CM1–CM2). Two native-speaking teachers deliver primary instruction in French and English. Since 2023 the school has been accredited by the French Ministry of Education for Cycles 1–3 and is a partner of AEFE since 2020. Language support is provided through French (FLE/FLSCO) and English (ESL) programs totaling 2–5 hours per week, depending on student needs. Core curricular themes include Nature & Science, Civic Growth, and Global Awareness.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
La Petite Ecole Ho Chi Minh City integrates social and emotional learning (SEL) through its Personal Development framework. Wellbeing is described as creating an environment conducive to child development, with a calm, natural setting and in-house facilities to support each child's development, guided by neuroscience that relaxed children learn better. Emotions are explicitly addressed: pupils are helped to recognise, accept, express, and manage their emotions. The school emphasizes self-confidence and self-esteem, encouraging adults to show belief in each child's ability to improve and persevere. The overall philosophy integrates mistakes as part of learning and promotes independence, curiosity, motivation, and self‑belief as core aims.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school does not publicly disclose information about a dedicated Special Educational Needs (SEN) program or a specialist SEN unit on its public pages. The published materials describe a bilingual French-English curriculum delivered by two native-speaking educators for cycles 1–3, rather than a separate SEN provision. When non‑native language support is needed, the school provides FLE (Français Langue Étrangère) and ESL (English as a Second Language) small‑group programmes to help pupils begin to access the bilingual curriculum. La Petite Ecole Ho Chi Minh City is accredited by the French Ministry of Education and is a member of AEFE, indicating alignment with international standards, but it is not described as a specialist SEN institution in public documents.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is explicitly described. The French curriculum is taught in both French and English by two native-speaking educators per class, supporting immersive bilingual development (French-English). For pupils who do not speak French or English on arrival, language support programmes operate in small groups with dedicated FLE and ESL teachers to help them integrate into the bilingual programme. Vietnamese is also introduced for all students from kindergarten onwards. These elements are outlined in public materials and FAQ, and the bilingual model is reinforced by staff training and AEFE affiliation.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is supported through a wellbeing-focused environment and explicit emotional-learning provisions. The school emphasises an environment that fosters relaxation and well-being as a foundation for learning, and provides tools for recognising and managing emotions. The SEL approach includes teaching children to understand and express their emotions and to develop self-confidence and self-esteem, with adults actively affirming students' capacity to improve and persevere. The philosophy promotes valuing the learning process, encouraging independence, curiosity, and resilience as part of everyday practice.

Safeguarding
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding safeguarding or child-protection policies on its public pages. Public materials describe a safe environment and a caring school culture, including strong communication with families and community engagement to support student wellbeing and safety.
Parent Experience

History
La Petite Ecole was founded in Singapore in 2012, and the Ho Chi Minh City campus opened in September 2017 in the Thao Dien neighborhood. The school offers a bilingual French-English curriculum and has been accredited by the French Ministry of Education for cycles 1 and 2 since 2020 and for cycle 3 since 2023. Since 2020, the school has collaborated with the AEFE network. In early 2021, all La Petite Ecole schools in Asia joined the Odyssey International School Network. The Ho Chi Minh City campus is part of the Odyssey Education group, connecting it to Odyssey's international network.

Community
Families are integrated into school life through regular community events, open mornings, and parent workshops. The school communicates with families via the Class Dojo app, which provides weekly summaries of classroom activities. Parent involvement is organized through twice-yearly parent–teacher meetings and semester school board meetings that invite parent input. Open Days are held to welcome prospective families and allow campus visits; events such as a Christmas market and Halloween celebrations also reflect active parental participation.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The school maintains a formal structure for parent involvement, including a school board with parent representatives who invite input from other families and discuss class concerns each semester. Parents participate in twice-yearly parent–teacher meetings, with additional appointments available during the year. Class Dojo is used to share weekly classroom updates with families, supporting ongoing communication. Regular community events, open mornings, and parent workshops bring families into school life as part of the school's philosophy. The school also hosts annual events such as a Christmas market and Halloween activities, illustrating active parental engagement. Open Days are scheduled to showcase facilities and connect with prospective families.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The campus spans about 4,500 m² in Thao Dien, Ho Chi Minh City, offering a green, family‑friendly environment. The school delivers a bilingual French‑English program with an introduction to Vietnamese, supporting multilingual learning. On‑site facilities include bright classrooms with IT resources, two libraries, an auditorium, a canteen, a music room, and dedicated language rooms. A 25‑metre swimming pool, a football pitch, and a basketball court support on‑site sports and recreation, with multiple outdoor playgrounds. There are motor‑skills spaces, including rooms with climbing walls and a dedicated sports area to support physical development.

Sports Facilities
On‑site sports facilities include a football pitch and a basketball court for PE and team activities. A 25‑metre swimming pool is available on campus for swimming and aquatic activities. Outdoor playgrounds provide space for active play and outdoor learning. The extra‑curricular program includes gym activities and a variety of sport‑based clubs offered on campus.

Academic Facilities
Bright classrooms are equipped with IT resources. The school has two libraries and dedicated language rooms to support bilingual learning. An auditorium supports assemblies and performances, and a music room is available for creative work. The on‑site canteen provides daily meals, with menus rotated through the year and accommodations for allergies.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Extra‑curricular activities are organized on campus with a bus service. Activities run 3:30–4:30 pm Monday–Thursday and Friday 1:00–3:15 pm. There are over 30 activities available on campus, spanning sports, arts and language development. Examples include Football, Vovinam, Gardening, Dance, Music, Vietnamese, Arts & Crafts, Swimming and Gym. Enrollment is per period and subject to minimum numbers, and there are holiday camps during some school holidays.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Arts & Creative
The school offers Arts & Crafts, Dance, and Music as extracurricular activities.

Cultural & Language
Vietnamese language is offered at beginner and advanced levels as part of extracurricular activities.

Social & Hobbies
Gardening is offered as a social/hobby extracurricular activity.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Football, Vovinam, Swimming, and Gym are offered as sports and wellbeing activities; sessions run 3:30-4:30 pm, Monday to Thursday; Friday, 1:00-3:15 pm; a bus service is available for the return trip home (not included in the ECA fee).
Languages

Language Provision
French and English are the core languages of instruction, delivered in a bilingual format from preschool through CM2. Vietnamese is introduced to all students from kindergarten onwards. Additional language support is available for non-native speakers of the primary instruction language: French language support (FLE/FLSCO) and English language support (ESL), typically 2 to 5 hours per week depending on need. Language provision is organized for Early Years (ages 3–6) and Elementary (ages 6–11).

Bilingual Teaching
La Petite Ecole Ho Chi Minh City offers a bilingual French-English curriculum aligned to the French national curriculum. Each class is taught by two native-speaking teachers, one French and one English, who co-create and deliver lessons in both languages. The bilingual program runs from preschool (ages 3–6) through the final year of primary (CM2, ages 10–11). Nursery begins at 12 months.

Immersion Programs
Immersion is delivered through a true bilingual immersion approach under a dual-language curriculum. Each classroom is led by two native-speaking teachers, one French and one English, who co-create lessons and alternate between languages. Students switch between French and English during instruction, aligning with the French national curriculum. From kindergarten onwards, Vietnamese is introduced to all students to support multilingual development.
Reputation

Awards
La Petite Ecole Ho Chi Minh City has won the following awards in the past five years:

Accreditations
La Petite Ecole Ho Chi Minh City holds the following accreditations and official recognitions:
Admissions

Admissions
Step 1:
Application submission via Eduka: Start the process by submitting an application through the Eduka platform and uploading the required documents as part of the application. The school teaches in a bilingual French-English program, with additional Vietnamese language support, and follows the French national curriculum through AEFE accreditation; this bilingual approach and the school's structure (Nursery through CM2) are important context for planning admissions. After you submit, you will participate in a meeting with the educational management to review the applicant's profile and placement considerations. The admission process is designed to be discussion-driven and centred on the child's needs and background.

Step 2:
Educational management meeting: Following the document submission, a meeting with the educational management is scheduled. This meeting provides an opportunity to discuss the child's learning history, language background, and any particular support requirements (e.g., language support or acceleration). It also serves to clarify placement within the school's cycles and classes. Parents should come prepared with questions about curriculum, language exposure, and assessment expectations.

Step 3:
Enrollment next steps (if admission is offered): If admission is offered, complete the enrollment process by registering for the upcoming school year through the Eduka platform (the “REGISTER NOW” option is provided on the Enrollment page). The enrollment flow is centered on the Eduka system and is clearly presented for the 2025-2026 cycle. The school's enrollment page explicitly shows the option to sign up for the 2025-2026 year, reinforcing Eduka as the official channel for enrollment. Plan to complete any required forms and confirm your child's enrollment date through Eduka.

Step 4:
Fees, payment, and confirmed start: Tuition and related fees for the 2025-2026 academic year are published in the Tuition Fees document. For Nursery, initial enrolment fees and full-rate options are listed, with the option for Early Bird and term-based payments; for Early Years and Elementary, there are initial enrolment and re-enrolment fees, annual tuition, canteen costs, and optional extras like uniforms. Any term started is due in full, and there are sibling discounts (5% for the second child, 10% for the third and beyond). Payment options include one-time annual or multiple payments, with early payment incentives where offered. The school also notes optional services such as bus transport and after-school care that can add to total costs.

Scholarships
Scholarships are available under AEFE guidance, but eligibility is restricted to French nationals residing in Vietnam and applying through the Consulate General of France. Key requirements include: the pupil must be of French nationality with at least one parent residing in the consular district; the child and family must be registered in the worldwide register of French nationals living outside France; the child must be at least 3 years old in the calendar year the school year begins; and applicants arriving from France should hold a CAF cancellation certificate. Applications are not auto-renewed and must be submitted each year; windows open in February/March for the upcoming year and in October for new residents or those whose circumstances have changed. The financial aid can be used to pay tuition fees, meals, or transportation, and applications are coordinated with the AEFE and the Local Scholarship Commission. An appointment can be booked with the Social Affairs Department of the French Embassy to prepare the application. For more information about the scholarship application process, contact the French Embassy's social affairs office; the school also directs interested families to the French Embassy's site for further guidance.

Waitlist
Waitlist or pool procedures are not publicly described on the admissions pages. The primary route to securing a place is through the Eduka enrollment/registration process, accessible from the main site's enrollment section, and possible attendance at an Open Day or information session.
School Events
The school has not added events
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