海角乱伦

Key international schools in Vietnam

In the last decade, Vietnam has taken the reform of its education sector very seriously. There have been numerous developments, improvements and standards met and exceeded. According to recent PISA rankings, Vietnam ranks second in Southeast Asia in terms of education, placing 31st out of 81 countries in mathematics, 34th in reading, and 35th in science.

For citizens, private and public elementary schools are free of cost as of September 2025, and education is a high priority for international and local citizens.

While Vietnam is a long and sprawling country, we have focused on three key areas where expats with families tend to build their base. Each one offers a unique lifestyle that will engage the whole family year-round.

Read also Moving to Vietnam with your family

International schools in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh or Sai Gon is such a diverse grouping of international families that it's no surprise it has an international school system to match! Many expats choose to live in either District 7 or District 2, and this is also where you will find these key international schools. International schools you'll find in Ho Chi Minh City include:

• 罢丑别听聽provides IB and the Cambridge British curriculum to students aged 1.5 to 18.聽They are recognized in the city for their high standards and being the only international school with state-of-the-art boarding facilities for students aged 12-18.
• The is the only international school that offers the IB, American, and AP curricula, plus its own college-prep courses. They operate on a not-for-profit model, meaning every dollar of tuition will go towards your child's education. They accept students between the ages of 3 and 18.
• The was the first international school to open in Ho Chi Minh City and is a member of the esteemed Cognita Schools Group. The school is open to students ranging from 2 to 18 and teaches the IB curriculum.
• The prioritizes a bilingual and French curriculum for its international pupils. Students attending this school follow the Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE) and the French national curriculum. This institution is approved to conduct the Dipl么me National du Brevet and the Baccalaur茅at examinations and the results are applied to international post-secondary education. This school is located outside the city center in D9 and teaches children age 3 to 17.
• The teaches three IB programs: the Primary Years (PYP), the Middle Years (MYP) and the IB diploma program. Students are accepted from 2 to 17 years old and thrive in an environment that highlights a vision to be happy, belong and be excellent.

International schools in Hanoi

The country's capital has a smaller selection of international education institutions, but that doesn't discount their capabilities. Unlike Ho Chi Minh City, the schools are more spread out, similar to the expat community, which doesn't just congregate in one key area.

• The is nestled in the heart of Tay Ho, conveniently the preferred expat neighborhood of Hanoi. It offers an IB curriculum, plus an inclusive Primary and Middle Years program (PYP, MYP) to students ages 5 to 16.
• The is the northern sister to the Ho Chi Minh location, and both hold the same exemplary standards of education. They are preceded by a reputation for a balanced academic framework for students ages 2 to 18.
• The is a top-notch education center, but also comes with the highest price point in the city. Using an IBO curriculum, students continue to perform well on standardized testing, including the International Schools' Assessment (ISA), Measures of Academic Progress (MAP), and American SAT and PSAT. Their student population is from the ages of 3 to 18.
• The follows an American curriculum while promoting a bilingual (French and English) approach to learning. Students can engage in a highly motivated academic career, and the school has a 95-100% achievement with the Baccalaur茅at (French national diploma). Students are accepted from 3 to 18.

International schools in Da Nang

• A leading choice to consider, the has helped 90% of its student body achieve scholarships for post-secondary education. Their slogan is 鈥淧athway to US education,鈥� and they offer their students a chance to enroll in credits from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Their student body ranges from age 3 to 18.
• The is an eco-friendly campus, which may appeal to your green instincts as an expat in Da Nang. The school's values are integrity, sustainability, diversity, positivity, confidence, and creativity, and students are eligible to complete a French Baccalaureate during their tenure. Their student body ranges from three to 14 years old.
• The is a thirty-minute drive from Da Nang and teaches the Cambridge curriculum to a student body ranging from 5 to 19 years old. This school has an active PTA (parent-teacher association) and is bilingual (English & Vietnamese).

International schools outside of major cities

• Viet Hoa International School, Binh Duong: Located an hour and a half outside of Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Hoa teaches an international curriculum and has a shuttle bus pick up for students ranging from 3 to 14.
• TH School - Vinh Campus: Located four hours outside of Hanoi, the TH School- Vinh campus focuses on the British curriculum and is only available to students ages 14 to 18. It has two locations, and only one is for boarding students (Hoa Lac Campus).

Educational programs available in Vietnam

All parents want their children to obtain the best education possible. In Vietnam, parents are seeking out the programs and styles of education that will get their children ahead and prepare them for opportunities on an international stage.

The programs currently available through the Vietnam education system include:

• International Baccalaureate (IB) Program;
• A-Level Program (Advanced Level);
• Oxford International Education Program;
• Common Core (USA);
• Advanced Placement (AP) Program;
• IGCSE.

Let's review each one more deeply and understand which program would best suit your child's needs. Please remember these are not curricula but education programs that will be combined with your child's curriculum at the school of enrollment.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Program

This program was founded in 1968 in Geneva and arrived in Vietnam in 1996, specifically in Hanoi. This is a globally recognized certification awarded by Switzerland to students for completing an international secondary school program. It is highly regarded in university applications, especially in countries like Canada, Australia, the UK, and the US.

The program spans two years and insists on mandatory extracurriculars. The philosophy of the IB program is centered on a humanistic focus and active learning. Students will gain self-awareness, intellectual growth, high academic standards, international understanding, and respect for cultural differences while fostering responsible citizenship.

The IB program, in some cases, has earned students credit reductions or scholarships to their University or post-secondary education choice.

The A-Level Program (Advanced Level)

This is a relatively new addition to the Vietnamese standard and curriculum, arriving in Vietnam in 2019. 海角乱伦s from the UK and Wales are familiar with this as the standard style of learning, originating from 1951 when it replaced the Higher School Certificate.

While this program also has a two-year duration - the first year is scheduled around advanced preparatory courses, and the second year, A2, is regarded as the more rigorous year. If your child has always known what field they want to pursue, this approach to learning will highlight their interests and keep them learning at a competitive pace to prepare them for future studies. It is widely recognized globally and respected.

Oxford International Education Program

The newest addition to this list is the Oxford International Education Program, as it only began in the 2023-24 school year. Created by the Oxford University Press team, it is still in the early stages of development and understanding within Vietnam. It has been rolled out in the US Vietnam Talent International School (UTS) in Ho Chi Minh City.

This program centers the joy of learning for students and hopes to curate an education environment enriched with health, happiness and humanity. This program completion is regarded highly if you are applying to universities in the US, UK, Australia, and Singapore.

Read also Studying in Vietnam

Common Core (USA)

The Common Core was initiated by forty US states in 2010 and began being taught at nearly the same time as the A-Level program.

This learning is focused on a three-dimensional concept with a foundation on continuity, practical science and technology. As part of its instruction, all lessons are taught in English. The benefits of the Common Core structure include enhancing adaptability through comprehensive learning methods, preparing students for integration into international university environments, and providing necessary knowledge and skills for higher education programs in global settings.

Advanced Placement (AP) Program

The AP Program comes from the same organization that administers the SAT and TOEFL exams. If your child will already be sitting these examinations, it also makes sense for them to be enrolled. It is currently offered at ISHCMC- American Academy and Saigon South International School (SSIS).

The benefits of the AP program include showcasing a student's natural adaptability and aptitude towards a challenge while encouraging them to have a specialization - preparing them for the pressure and intense focus needed during their upcoming post-secondary education. The AP program may also save you money in the long run as the student can complete credits towards their university degree and potentially fast-track earning the accreditation.

IGCSE

This program has been in Ho Chi Minh City since 2010 and is taught or encouraged for students aged 14-17 for two years. One of the main benefits of the International General Certificate of Secondary Education is the diversity in the course catalog. Unlike other programs, 70 courses are available, ranging in subjects from Mathematics, Technology, Design and Social Studies. This style of learning is more closely aligned with an educational experience in North America and will be easy to transition into after moving to Vietnam.

The IGCSE is available at the following schools: the British International School Hanoi (BIS Hanoi), Renaissance International School Saigon, Australian International School (AIS) Saigon and Singapore International School (Danang).

How to apply to an international school In Vietnam

It's always best to start at the school's website as each one might have slightly different procedures, but they should all have the following in common:

1. Fill in an application: You'll see on every website an area dedicated to enrollment. This section will cover popular FAQ's and contain upcoming dates, including open houses or deadlines. You will need to submit test scores, previous school records and or transcripts. A few schools may ask the student to write a personal essay or to take a language proficiency exam.
2. The interview: The school will conduct an interview with the future pupil and parents to understand their capabilities and if this is the correct environment for their continued education.
3. Acceptance: After this process, you'll receive feedback from the admissions board. An acceptance letter will also contain a welcome packet instructing the next steps, including uniforms or any work to be completed before the child's first day.
4. Financial payment: To secure your spot at the school, payment will be required within 15-30 days of acceptance.

If you are arriving in Vietnam mid-school year or changing international schools, you would be completing a transfer process versus a new student application. Many schools host open houses or trial days as they understand the importance of getting their international students back on track and not losing any valuable learning time. For this process, email or phone the school directly. Your child will still be asked to sit a proficiency examination to understand the level of education.

By following the application and transfer procedures, parents can help their children smoothly start a school year and benefit from the high-quality education available in Vietnam.

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