doris
Currency
U

United Nations International School of Hanoi

Vietnam, Hanoi

Save school

· Reviewed by · B2C Marketing Manager

Independently researched by doris.
Profile checked by the school
The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees ₫453,654,962 - 1,035,923,443
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1150
Type Co-educational
Opened 1988
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Taught languages French, Mandarin, Spanish, Vietnamese
Typical class size 22
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction

UNIS Hanoi is a not-for-profit, co-educational IB World School in Tây Hồ’s Ciputra development, serving students from age 3 to Grade 12. The school delivers the full International Baccalaureate continuum—PYP, MYP, and Diploma Programme—across one campus, with English as the language of instruction. Students study world languages, including Vietnamese, French, and Mandarin in Elementary, and French, Spanish or Mandarin in Secondary, with options for home-language and IB self-taught literature where appropriate. Co-curricular life features sports teams and arts ensembles, and students engage in a structured Service Learning Programme connected to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, reflecting the school’s United Nations roots. Families can review transparent, grade-by-grade fees on the admissions site. The campus is located at G9 Ciputra, with school transport available.

G9, Khu đô thị Ciputra, Hà Nội, Vietnam.

The Essentials

United Nations International School of Hanoi has 1,150 pupils, typical class sizes of 22, instruction in English.

Location

UNIS Hanoi campus sits within the Ciputra International Township, a residential area in Hanoi’s northern district. It is easily accessible from the city centre and within a short drive of Nội Bài International Airport. The surrounding area is peaceful and well-connected by major roads linking central Hanoi with the airport corridor.

Stages

The school educates students from Early Years 3 (age 3) through Grade 12 (age 18). It is divided into Elementary (EY3 – Grade 5), Middle School (Grades 6–8), and High School (Grades 9–12). Each section follows one of the International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes — PYP, MYP, and DP.

Type

UNIS Hanoi is a not-for-profit, co-educational, day school with no boarding facilities. The school welcomes both international and Vietnamese students who meet admissions criteria. It operates under a governance structure that includes representatives from the United Nations, the Vietnamese Government, and the parent community.

Additional learning support

UNIS Hanoi provides structured support through its Student Support Services, which include Learning Support, English as an Additional Language (EAL), Counselling, Speech and Language Therapy, and an Educational Psychologist. These services operate under the school’s Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework to meet individual student needs within available capacity.

Country affiliation

The school was founded through collaboration between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Vietnamese Government in 1988. It continues to maintain this United Nations affiliation.

Religious affiliation

UNIS Hanoi has no religious affiliation and describes itself as a non-denominational institution.

School day structure

The school does not publicly list one standard daily timetable, as schedules differ by division. Elementary handbooks indicate morning sessions, lunch and recess breaks, and afternoon classes ending mid-afternoon. Secondary schedules follow a similar structure with advisory and subject periods spread across the day.

Bus service

A dedicated School Bus Service is available for students, operated under UNIS Hanoi’s transportation policies. The service includes defined pick-up and drop-off routes within Hanoi, safety guidelines, and student conduct rules. Families register through the school’s transport office and can review details in the Elementary Handbook and official policies.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements

The school is a day school and does not offer boarding.

Governance and Ownership

The school is a not-for-profit coeducational English-language day school serving Early Years (3-year-olds) through Grade 12. It is authorized by the Ministry of Education in Vietnam and accredited by the Council of International Schools, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and the International Baccalaureate Organisation. It is administered by the Head of School, Dr Elizabeth Gale, and governed by a eleven-member Board of Directors. The school follows the ideals and principles of the United Nations in action every day.
Fees

Annual tuition at United Nations International School of Hanoi ranges from VND 453,654,962 to VND 1,035,923,443 for 2026/27.

Application Fees
A non-refundable, non-transferable application fee is payable upon submission of the online application form.
A non-refundable, non-transferable Enrolment fee is applied when a student is offered. This fee is paid only once, as long as a student is continuously enrolled
A tuition deposit is required to secure enrollment; this deposit is credited toward the first tuition payment but is non-refundable and non-transferable if the student does not attend.

Tuition Fees (Per Year)

International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme Stream
Early Year 3 - Early Year 4: ₫ 453,654,962 (USD 17,460)
Kindergarten: ₫ 698,930,038 (USD 26,900)
Grades 1 – 5: ₫ 865,997,701 (USD 33,330)
Grades 6 – 8: ₫ 914,844,857 (USD 35,210)
Grades 9 – 10: ₫ 975,124,325 (USD 37,530)
Grades 11 – 12: ₫ 1,035,923,443 (USD 39,870)

Fees are invoiced annually or by semester according to the school’s published billing schedule.
A seat deposit is required each year to confirm continued enrollment for returning students.

Additional Fees
Other fees include a bus service fees, technology charges, and optional PE uniform purchases.
Learning materials, school trips, and certain extracurricular activities may also incur additional costs.

Transportation Fees
UNIS Hanoi operates an internal School Bus Service for eligible students living within Hanoi.
Routes, safety standards, and supervision procedures are specified in the school’s transport policies.
Fees are billed directly by the school and vary by one way or both ways.

Learning Support
Students requiring additional academic or language support are assisted through the school’s Student Support Services, which include Learning Support, English as an Additional Language (EAL), Counselling, and Speech and Language Therapy.
Families whose children require support beyond what the school can provide may be asked to arrange external specialists.

Refund Policy
Refunds for tuition are governed by the school’s official Refund Procedures, which outline the percentage refundable based on the timing of withdrawal within the semester.
The tuition deposit is non-refundable once paid.

Payment Options
Payments can be made by bank transfer in USD or VND to UNIS Hanoi’s Techcombank accounts, or via cash deposit at Techcombank branches.
Late payments may be subject to additional charges as stated in the school’s financial policies.
Academics

United Nations International School of Hanoi teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP) for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum

UNIS Hanoi offers the full International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum across all grade levels: the Primary Years Programme (PYP) from Early Years 3 to Grade 5, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) from Grades 6 to 10, and the Diploma Programme (DP) in Grades 11 and 12. Each programme provides an inquiry-based framework designed to develop conceptual understanding and skills across subject areas. In the Elementary years, students study core subjects such as Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Arts, and Physical Education, with additional instruction in Vietnamese, French, or Mandarin. The MYP builds on this with interdisciplinary units, Design, and Service as Action components. In the Diploma Programme, students complete six subjects chosen from the IB groups along with Theory of Knowledge (TOK), an Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) requirements. English is the language of instruction throughout the school.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

UNIS Hanoi integrates social and emotional learning through its Student Support Services, which include counsellors, an educational psychologist, and a Director of Student Success & Wellbeing. The school follows a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework that aligns academic and emotional interventions. Counsellors work with students, teachers, and families to promote emotional awareness, positive relationships, and self-regulation skills. Support is tailored according to student needs and reviewed regularly through team meetings and progress monitoring.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

The school provides structured support for students with mild to moderate learning differences. Services include in-class support, small group instruction, and consultation with specialists to ensure access to the mainstream curriculum. Support is available from Early Years through Grade 12. Each case is reviewed individually to determine whether the school can meet the student’s needs. UNIS Hanoi is not a specialist SEN institution but offers inclusive education within its capacity.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

UNIS Hanoi offers an EAL programme to help non-native English speakers develop academic and social proficiency in English. Specialist EAL teachers collaborate with classroom teachers to deliver targeted support through in-class instruction and pull-out sessions. Admission policies include quotas for EAL students to ensure balanced classroom language levels. Support continues until students demonstrate independence in English within the school’s academic framework.

Mental Wellbeing

The school’s wellbeing provision is coordinated by the Student Support Services team and overseen by the Director of Student Success & Wellbeing. Counsellors and health professionals work with students to provide emotional guidance, early intervention, and referrals when necessary. The school also offers regular wellbeing initiatives and student-led activities that encourage positive community relationships and personal growth. Support is accessible across all age groups.

Safeguarding

UNIS Hanoi has a Child Safeguarding Policy that outlines clear procedures for protecting students. All staff are trained in safeguarding practices and are required to follow the school’s code of conduct. The policy establishes reporting channels and defines responsibilities for responding to any concerns about student welfare. Safeguarding oversight falls under the Director of Student Success & Wellbeing and the school’s leadership team.
Parent Experience

History

United Nations International School Hanoi (UNIS Hanoi) was founded in 1988 through a partnership between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training. Hanoi-Amsterdam High School began with just four students and one teacher. During the 1990s, it expanded to include a full primary and secondary programme. In 2004, UNIS Hanoi moved to its current campus within the Ciputra residential area in Tây Hồ District. The school operates as a not-for-profit institution, governed by a Board of Directors and guided by its United Nations affiliation.

Community

UNIS Hanoi has a diverse and active international community that includes students, parents, faculty, and alumni. The school runs Community Programmes that are open to both the UNIS community and the wider Hanoi public, offering enrichment classes, workshops, and recreational activities for children and adults. Annual community events, such as the Welcome Community Connections Fair and cultural celebrations, promote collaboration among families, staff, and local organisations. These initiatives reflect the school’s emphasis on connection, service, and shared experience.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

The school does not publicly provide detailed information about a formal Parent Teacher Association (PTA) on its website. While families are actively involved in volunteering and community engagement through school-organised events, specific committees, leadership structures, or scheduled PTA activities are not publicly disclosed.
Facilities

Facilities Overview

UNIS Hanoi sits on a 9.2-hectare campus in Hanoi designed to support holistic learning. The campus features state-of-the-art classrooms, maker spaces, a library with over 30,000 print and multimedia resources, and dedicated spaces for the arts, sport, and Service Learning. The Early Childhood Centre provides specialised spaces for young learners, and the Ly Thai To Learning Centre, a canteen, and a roof-top garden serve the wider school community. The Sports Centre and Centre for the Arts include a 400-seat theatre and spaces for music, drama, and athletics, complemented by outdoor facilities such as full-size fields, a 25-metre all-season swimming pool, and tennis courts. The campus also includes an artificial turf pitch, a design lab, a botanical garden, and a cultural collection.

Sports Facilities

Full-size fields and three tennis courts are available on the campus. The all-season 25-metre, six-lane swimming pool and a children's pool are heated in winter for year-round use, with a fitness room available to the community through Energize outside school hours. A multipurpose 1800-square-metre sports covered court supports two full basketball courts, or four volleyball courts, or eight badminton games simultaneously. The Sports Centre and Centre for the Arts host performing arts and sports activities, including a 400-seat theatre, and an artificial turf soccer pitch provides extended outdoor playing space.

Academic Facilities

The UNIS Hanoi library includes over 30,000 print and multimedia resources in multiple languages. Elementary and Secondary classrooms have been enhanced with updated flooring, lighting, quieter and more efficient air conditioning, and acoustic improvements. The campus includes an Early Childhood Centre and the Ly Thai To Learning Centre with a canteen, classrooms, a faculty lounge, and a roof-top garden. The Centre for the Arts, Maker Space, and Design Lab provide spaces for creativity and hands-on learning.

Extra Curricular Facilities

Co-curricular spaces support a wide range of activities: a theatre with 400 seats and a Film Room for media courses; a Maker Space and a Design Lab for making and prototyping; and the Adventure Playground with 12 structures for active play. The campus includes full-size fields, three tennis courts, and an all-season swimming pool with a fitness room to support sport and recreation. The Ly Thai To Learning Centre and the Canteen provide learning and community spaces, while the Botanical Garden and the Cultural Collection support experiential learning about sustainability and Vietnam's cultural heritage.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual

The school offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum: Primary Years Programme (PYP) for ages 3–12, Middle Years Programme (MYP) for ages 11–16, and the Diploma Programme (DP) for Grades 11–12. The Diploma Programme is a two-year course of study designed for university entry and includes externally examined assessments. The school conducts instruction in English and is accredited by CIS, WASC, and the International Baccalaureate Organization.

Arts & Creative

Facilities include music studios and performing arts spaces. The IB Diploma Programme includes Arts subjects, and DP offerings include Visual Arts.

Cultural & Language

World Languages and Home Languages programs provide language study options. From Grade 1, students study Vietnamese, French, or Mandarin; Home Language options include additional languages such as Danish, Dutch, German, Korean, Japanese, Polish, Spanish, and Swedish. In Grades 6–12, students study Vietnamese, Spanish, or French, with IB Diploma Programme language courses offered in multiple languages including Chinese, Dutch, English, French, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

Social & Hobbies

Co-curricular activities include robotics—VEX robotics with after-school and lunch sessions—and school-wide robotics events. The IB World School programme includes Model United Nations (UNISMUN) and student leadership conferences, providing opportunities for debate and collaboration. Students participate in science debates and other competitions such as Hanoi Science Debate.

Community & Service

Service Learning Programme is central across Elementary through High School and connects classroom inquiry to real-world community needs. It includes working with local NGOs, fundraising, and activities such as teaching English and environmental projects, aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Leadership & Professional

UNIS Hanoi hosts student leadership initiatives, including UNISMUN conferences and a Hanoi Student Leadership Conference, providing leadership development, debate, and collaboration across grade levels.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

Facilities include gyms, swimming pools, and a 23-acre campus with music studios and performing arts spaces.
Languages

Language Provision

The school provides English-language instruction for all students. It has offered all three IB programmes since 1997 and 1998, spanning the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for ages 3–12, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for ages 11–16, and the Diploma Programme (DP) for Grades 11–12. DP courses are available in ten languages: Chinese, Danish, Dutch, English, French, Japanese, Korean, Italian, Spanish and Vietnamese. The school embeds the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the curriculum and runs a flagship Service Learning programme.
Reputation

Awards

UNIS Hanoi received a “Dual Win” at the HR Asia Awards 2023 (Vietnam) in two categories — recognising its workplace culture and employee care.

The school’s Sports & Aquatic Centre received a World Architecture Award — acknowledging the campus facility project for its architectural design and innovation.

UNIS Hanoi won a Silver award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Circle of Excellence 2025 for the video production “Through a Child’s Eyes: Authentic Student-Led Storytelling at UNIS Hanoi”.

Accreditations

Accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS): an international accreditation body for schools, which verifies that the school meets global standards of governance, teaching, and student support.

Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC): a US-based regional accreditor whose endorsement means graduates’ credentials are widely recognised by universities.

Authorised by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) for the PYP, MYP, and DP: showing that the school is permitted to offer the full International Baccalaureate Programme continuum.

Authorised by the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam (MoET): meaning the school operates legally under Vietnamese educational regulation and is recognised in the country’s system.
Admissions

Admissions

1. Online Application Submission
Families begin the admissions process by completing the online application form on the UNIS Hanoi website. Supporting documents such as school reports, passport copies, and health forms must be uploaded, and a non-refundable application fee must be paid at this stage. Applications are accepted year-round but depend on space availability.

2. Assessment and Interview
Applicants are assessed to determine their readiness for the IB curriculum. For Early Years and Elementary applicants, this may include a play-based session or parent interview. For Grades 1–12, students complete an academic assessment and English language evaluation (if applicable). The school may also request additional information from previous schools to better understand the student’s learning profile.

3. Review by the Admissions Committee
All applications are reviewed by a committee that includes principals, counsellors, and learning support specialists. Decisions are based on available space, the student’s academic background, English proficiency, and the school’s capacity to meet learning needs. The review ensures balanced classroom composition across language levels and learning support requirements.

4. Placement and Offer of Admission
If a space is available, families receive a formal offer of admission via email. To confirm the place, parents must submit the tuition deposit and complete the required medical and consent forms. If space is not available, the student is placed in the wait pool.

5. Orientation and Enrollment
Before the first day of school, new families attend a New Family Orientation to meet teachers, receive class schedules, and learn about school systems such as transport, uniforms, and technology use. Enrolled students are assigned a homeroom or advisory teacher who helps with the transition into school life.

Scholarships

UNIS Hanoi offers a Scholarship Programme for academically capable students from Vietnamese public schools who would otherwise be unable to attend an international school. The scholarship covers 100% of tuition and associated fees through graduation, provided the recipient maintains academic and behavioural expectations. Applicants are selected through a rigorous process that includes academic testing, English assessments, interviews, and a review of family finances. Scholarship students are part of the broader UNIS community and participate fully in academic and co-curricular programmes.

Waitlist

UNIS Hanoi operates a wait pool rather than a chronological waiting list. When space is not available in a specific grade, qualified applicants are placed in this pool. Admission priority is determined by the school’s Priority Lane system, which ranks applications as follows:

Lane 1: United Nations, embassy, and diplomatic staff; faculty dependents; scholarship students
Lane 2: Siblings of current students or graduates
Lane 3: Alumni children
Lane 4: Expatriate families
Lane 5: Vietnamese nationals

If a place becomes available, offers are made based on the student’s priority lane and suitability for the available space, not by the date of application. Applicants in the wait pool remain eligible for one academic year and must reapply for the following year if no space opens.
School Events
The school has not added events