Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City has a way of surprising expat families. You arrive expecting chaos — the motorbikes, the heat, the sheer velocity of the place — and within a month you're eating the best pho of your life, paying a fraction of what you paid in Singapore, and wondering why you didn't move sooner. The school situation follows the same pattern: more options than you'd guess, better quality than the reputation suggests, and prices that make parents relocating from Hong Kong or Dubai actually laugh out loud.
With 44 international schools tracked on Scholae, HCMC isn't the biggest market in Southeast Asia, but it's one of the most interesting. The city has attracted serious British and IB operators alongside homegrown bilingual schools that blend Vietnamese culture with international curricula. What you won't find is the cookie-cutter sameness of some Gulf markets. These schools have personality, and the competition between them has been genuinely good for families.
The catch? Information is scattered, fees are quoted in VND (a currency where a million doesn't go as far as it sounds), and the geography of the city matters more than most parents realise when they're browsing school websites from abroad.
Explore all Ho Chi Minh City international schools to search by curriculum, age group, or fee range.
The curriculum landscape: What's actually on offer
HCMC's 44 schools span 27 distinct curricula, but the market is shaped by three dominant systems — British, IB, and a growing bilingual sector that deserves serious attention.
British curriculum
The British system is the most widely available pathway in HCMC, with 17 schools offering some form of the English National Curriculum, IGCSE, or A-Levels. This isn't an accident — Vietnam's historical relationship with structured, exam-focused education makes the British model a natural fit, and it's the system that Vietnamese families seeking international education tend to gravitate toward first.
At the top, British International School Ho Chi Minh City (BIS) is the flagship — a Nord Anglia school with 1,509 students across three campuses, 55 nationalities, and British Schools Overseas accreditation. Its campus on Nguyen Van Huong in Thao Dien is the one most expats know. Australian International School Saigon (AIS) blends British and IB pathways with 1,300 students on a modern campus on Mai Chi Tho in District 2. Both schools carry FOBISIA membership, which is the gold standard for British schools in Asia.
The mid-range British options are where HCMC gets interesting. Sedbergh Vietnam in District 7's Phu My Hung has grown to 1,200+ students and offers the full British pathway — IPC through IGCSE to A-Levels — with 60+ after-school clubs and a proper sports complex. British Vietnamese International School (BVIS), also Nord Anglia, runs a dual British-Vietnamese curriculum that's particularly popular with mixed Vietnamese-expat families. And The ABC International School in Nha Be — small at 655 students, FOBISIA-accredited, British Schools Overseas inspected — quietly does the British curriculum well and is the only school in Vietnam offering Oxford and Cambridge entry exams for Medicine and Law.
The honest limitation of the British scene here: unlike Bangkok or Dubai, HCMC doesn't have the UK heritage brands. There's no Harrow, no Shrewsbury, no Wellington. What it has instead is solid, established schools that deliver the curriculum without the premium-brand surcharge. For many families, that's a better deal.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Sixteen schools offer some form of IB programming, making it the second most common pathway. The range is wide — from full IB continuum schools to those offering just PYP or MYP alongside other curricula.
International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) is the IB standard-bearer. Founded in 1995, it's the school that most long-term Saigon expats know by name. With 1,500 students from 60+ nationalities on Xuan Thuy Street in Thao Dien, it runs the full IB continuum — PYP, MYP, and Diploma — with a 100% pass rate on the IB Diploma. Class sizes of 17-20 (capped at 22) are tight by HCMC standards. The one-to-one device programme — iPads in primary, MacBooks in secondary — is well-established, and the Makerspace and Fab-Lab facilities give the STEM offering real substance.
European International School Ho Chi Minh City (EIS) is smaller at 700 students but carries a distinctive credential: it's one of only 364 authorised IB Continuum Schools globally. Set in a low-rise, green campus in Thao Dien's District 2, it feels more like a European village school than a Saigon institution. EARCOS-accredited, with scholarships available — worth asking about.
Renaissance International School Saigon in District 7 combines British and IB pathways — IGCSE with IB PYP and MYP — for 477 students. Smaller, community-oriented, and triply accredited (CIS, FOBISIA, EARCOS). It's a school where teachers know every student by name, which counts for something when your twelve-year-old is adjusting to a new country.
Newer IB entrants include Tesla Education in Tan Binh District, which offers the full IB continuum including the less common Career-related Programme (CP). It's still small — around 150 students, 70% local — but the CP pathway is genuinely useful for students who want applied learning alongside academic rigour.
The bilingual advantage
Here's what makes HCMC different from most international school markets: the bilingual sector is serious. Schools like EMASI International Bilingual Schools, British Vietnamese International School, and Horizon International Bilingual School run genuine dual-language programmes — not token Vietnamese classes bolted onto an English curriculum, but integrated bilingual instruction.
EMASI stands out: 1,000-1,500 students in District 7, offering British, American, Montessori, IGCSE, and A-Levels alongside the Vietnamese national curriculum. Their facilities are impressive — a gymnasium certified for international competitions, a 25-metre heated saltwater pool, a climbing wall, a makerspace. For families planning to stay in Vietnam long-term, or those with Vietnamese-speaking partners, the bilingual schools offer something the purely international ones can't: genuine cultural integration without sacrificing academic rigour.
Other options worth knowing about
- American: Saigon South International School (SSIS) is the American flagship — IB, American, and AP tracks with 1,400 students. The American School and APU American International School offer straightforward American programmes at different price points.
- French: Lycée Français International Marguerite Duras serves francophone families, and La Petite Ecole Ho Chi Minh covers early years through primary.
- German: International German School Ho Chi Minh City (IGS) — 170 students, 20 nationalities, IB plus German curriculum, instruction in four languages. A genuinely multilingual environment.
- Australian: Scotch AGS in Phu Nhuan District, partnered with Scotch College Adelaide, and The Western Australian International School System offer the Australian curriculum with IB options.
- Singaporean: Singapore International School @ Saigon South blends British and Singaporean approaches.
- Canadian: The Canadian International School offers IB within a Canadian framework.
- Finnish: Vietnam Finland International School combines Finnish pedagogy with IB and Vietnamese elements — a model worth investigating if you value play-based, low-pressure early years education.
What you'll actually pay: Fee ranges in HCMC
HCMC fees are quoted in Vietnamese dong, which takes some getting used to. Here's the conversion that matters: 1 USD is roughly 25,500 VND (as of early 2026). A school quoting 500 million VND per year sounds terrifying until you realise that's about $19,600 — solidly mid-range by international school standards.
Compared to Singapore, Hong Kong, or Dubai, HCMC is significantly cheaper at every tier. Compared to Bangkok, it's roughly comparable at the top end but slightly more expensive in the mid-range, reflecting fewer schools competing for the same segment.
Budget tier: Under 300 million VND/year (under ~$12,000)
The smaller bilingual schools and newer international programmes fall here. Schools like Anne Hill International School (British/Montessori/IPC, ages 2-11), Fosco International School (American, ages 1-11), and some of the Vietnamese-bilingual options offer international-leaning education at prices that don't require a corporate relocation package.
At this tier, expect smaller campuses, more local student bodies, and fewer specialist facilities. Teaching quality varies — do your due diligence. But for families who are self-funded or staying long-term, there's genuine value here that doesn't exist in pricier markets.
Mid-range: 300–550 million VND/year (~$12,000–$21,500)
This is the sweet spot for most expat families, and where HCMC punches above its weight. Scotch AGS publishes fees of 317-521 million VND ($12,400-$20,400) depending on year group — that's an Australian curriculum with a partnership with Scotch College Adelaide. Sedbergh Vietnam, EMASI, Renaissance International School Saigon, and The ABC International School all sit in this bracket.
You get proper accreditations, experienced (often British or Australian) teaching staff, decent facilities, and a genuinely international mix. Class sizes hover around 18-22 students. The difference between this tier and the premium tier is mainly campus scale and brand recognition — not necessarily teaching quality.
Premium: 550–830 million VND/year (~$21,500–$32,500)
Saigon South International School publishes the most transparent fee schedule in the city: 479 million VND for Early Years rising to 829 million VND for senior years ($18,800-$32,500). That's the top of the HCMC market, and for your money you get a 1,400-student not-for-profit school with American and IB tracks, EARCOS accreditation, and the kind of campus infrastructure — athletics, arts, technology — that justifies the premium.
British International School, International School Ho Chi Minh City, and Australian International School Saigon all sit in this premium band. These are the schools that corporately-relocated families gravitate toward — strong brands, large campuses, extensive extracurricular programmes, and the broadest international student mix in the city.
The important context: HCMC's premium tier would be mid-range in Singapore and solidly mid-range in Hong Kong. If your company's education allowance was calibrated for those markets, you'll have budget to spare.
Schools to put on your shortlist
Here are ten schools that represent the genuine range of what HCMC offers. Not a ranking — a starting point.
International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC)
Full IB (PYP, MYP, Diploma) | Ages 2–18 | 1,500 students | 60+ nationalities The IB flagship. Founded in 1995, ISHCMC has the longest track record of any IB school in southern Vietnam. The 100% IB Diploma pass rate isn't a fluke — it reflects a school that takes IB seriously as a philosophy, not just a qualification. The Thao Dien campus on Xuan Thuy Street puts you in the heart of District 2's expat corridor. Class sizes capped at 22, which is honest and maintained. EARCOS member.
British International School Ho Chi Minh City (BIS)
British, IGCSE, A-Levels, IB | Ages 2–18 | 1,509 students | 55 nationalities The British curriculum anchor in HCMC, operating across three campuses. Part of Nord Anglia Education, which means access to global programmes (Juilliard for performing arts, MIT for STEAM). British Schools Overseas accredited and FOBISIA member — the dual accreditation is meaningful. Average class size of 18, max 24. The Nguyen Van Huong campus in Thao Dien is the main site; secondary students are based there.
Saigon South International School (SSIS)
IB, American, AP | Ages 3–18 | 1,400 students | 50+ nationalities The American option, and arguably the most transparent school in the city when it comes to fees (they publish exact VND figures for every year group). SSIS is not-for-profit — tuition gets reinvested in the school, not extracted as profit. Located on Nguyen Duc Canh in District 7's Tan Phong Ward. EARCOS accredited. The campus on the southern edge of town means your housing search will probably centre on District 7 or Nha Be.
Australian International School Saigon (AIS)
British, IB, IGCSE, IB PYP, IB MYP | Ages 2–18 | 1,300 students A strong dual-pathway school — British curriculum through IGCSE combined with IB PYP and MYP. The Mai Chi Tho campus in An Phu Ward (District 2) is well-located for families in the Thao Dien/An Phu corridor. Extended kindergarten care until 4:30 PM is a practical detail that working parents will appreciate. Average class size of 19.
European International School Ho Chi Minh City (EIS)
Full IB (PYP, MYP, Diploma) | Ages 2–18 | 700 students One of only 364 authorised IB Continuum Schools worldwide — that's a very short list. The Thao Dien campus on Le Van Mien is deliberately low-rise and green, which makes it feel calmer than many HCMC schools. EARCOS member with scholarships available. The smaller size (700 students vs. 1,500 at ISHCMC) means a more intimate community, which suits some families better. Kosher, halal, and vegan lunch options — a detail that signals genuine internationalism.
Sedbergh Vietnam
British, IGCSE, A-Levels, IPC, IMYC | Ages 2–18 | 1,200+ students A District 7 school that's grown rapidly and earned a strong local reputation. The British curriculum pathway is complete from IPC (primary) through IMYC (middle years) to IGCSE and A-Levels. Sixty-plus after-school clubs, 41 athletic teams, and language options including Chinese, Spanish, French, German, and Italian. The student body is 80% Vietnamese, 20% international — good if you want your child immersed in local culture, less ideal if maximum diversity is your priority. Scholarships and financial aid available.
EMASI International Bilingual Schools
British, American, Montessori, IGCSE, A-Levels, Vietnamese | Ages 2–18 | 1,000–1,500 students The bilingual powerhouse. EMASI runs the widest curriculum menu in the city — six distinct pathways under one roof. The District 7 campus in Nam Long has facilities that rival the premium-tier schools: international-competition-standard gymnasium, heated saltwater pool, climbing wall, blackbox theatre. Average class size of 24 is on the larger side but still manageable. The Montessori early years programme is a genuine differentiator for families with young children.
Renaissance International School Saigon
British, IB, IGCSE, IB PYP, IB MYP | Ages 2–18 | 477 students Small by design. With under 500 students and triple accreditation (CIS, FOBISIA, EARCOS), Renaissance offers the personal touch that big schools can't. The Nguyen Thi Thap campus in District 7's Binh Thuan Ward is compact but well-equipped. Entry assessments include English proficiency testing and CAT4 cognitive assessments from Year 2 — they're selective, which keeps class quality high. Average class size of 20.
International German School Ho Chi Minh City (IGS)
IB, German | Ages 1–18 | 170 students | 20 nationalities A genuinely distinctive option. IGS teaches in four languages — English, German, French, and Vietnamese — and combines the German curriculum with IB. At 170 students and 15 per class, this is the most intimate school on the list. The student body is 65% international (mostly German and Swiss), which is the inverse of most HCMC schools. Located on Vo Truong Toan in An Phu, District 2. If you're from the DACH region or value serious multilingual education, this is your school.
Scotch AGS
Australian | Ages 6–18 Partnered with Scotch College Adelaide and located in Phu Nhuan District, Scotch AGS offers the Australian curriculum leading to the Australian Certificate of Education. Published fees of 317-521 million VND ($12,400-$20,400) make it one of the better-value options for a properly accredited international programme. The school requires IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL scores as part of admission, which signals academic seriousness. Scholarships and financial aid available.
Districts: Where to live for the school run
HCMC geography is the single biggest factor that parents underestimate. The city sprawls, traffic is dense (motorbikes outnumber cars roughly 30 to 1), and a 10-kilometre commute can take an hour during peak times. Your school choice and your housing choice are effectively the same decision.
District 2 / Thu Duc City (Thao Dien and An Phu)
This is where the international school concentration is highest and where most Western expats live. ISHCMC, BIS (main campus), AIS, EIS, and IGS are all here. Thao Dien in particular has become a self-contained expat ecosystem — international restaurants, yoga studios, craft coffee, English-speaking medical clinics. Housing is the priciest in the city for expats, but you can walk or cycle to multiple schools, which is worth real money in avoided transport costs and saved time.
The An Phu area along Mai Chi Tho is slightly more affordable and equally well-located for AIS and the schools on the eastern side of District 2. New apartment developments have expanded supply significantly.
District 7 (Phu My Hung and surrounds)
District 7 is HCMC's planned urban district — wide boulevards, parks, and a deliberate escape from the density of Districts 1 and 3. SSIS, Renaissance, Sedbergh, EMASI, and Singapore International School are all based here. Phu My Hung was developed by a Taiwanese consortium and has a distinctive feel — cleaner, more suburban, with Korean and Japanese expat communities alongside Western families.
If you want a lifestyle that feels less "Vietnam chaos, more Singapore lite," District 7 is your answer. The trade-off is that it feels somewhat separate from the rest of the city, and getting to District 1 or District 2 involves crossing the Saigon River, which adds commute time.
Binh Thanh
Straddling the line between District 1 and the eastern districts, Binh Thanh is an up-and-coming area for expat families. UK Academy — Binh Thanh Campus is based here, and Vinschool Central Park sits near the Vinhomes development. Housing is more affordable than Thao Dien, and the Landmark 81 area has modernised rapidly. Less of a self-contained expat bubble than District 2 or 7 — that's either a pro or a con depending on what you want.
Tan Binh and Phu Nhuan
These central-west districts are home to Tesla Education (Tan Binh) and Scotch AGS (Phu Nhuan). Housing costs are significantly lower than in Districts 2 or 7, and both districts have a local Vietnamese character that some families actively seek. The compromise is fewer English-language amenities nearby and potentially longer commutes if one parent works in Districts 1 or 2.
Nha Be
South of District 7, Nha Be is more suburban and still developing. The ABC International School is here, and housing is the most affordable on this list. If ABC is your school, Nha Be makes sense. Otherwise, the commute to schools in other districts can be long and unpredictable.
Admissions: Timing, assessments, and what to expect
When to apply
Most HCMC international schools accept rolling admissions, but "rolling" means different things at different schools. The premium tier — ISHCMC, BIS, SSIS, AIS — can have waiting lists at popular year groups, especially Early Years and Year 7. Apply 6-12 months ahead if you're targeting these schools.
Mid-range schools are generally more accommodating. Most will accept mid-year arrivals with available seats, and 2-3 months of lead time is usually sufficient to complete the process.
Entrance assessments
The pattern is consistent across the market:
- Early Years (ages 2-5): Play-based observation or a short interaction session. BIS uses informal assessments; ISHCMC evaluates school readiness and English awareness.
- Primary (ages 5-11): English and maths assessments, plus teacher references from previous schools. AIS uses the OpenApply platform for a streamlined process.
- Secondary (ages 11-18): Cognitive ability tests (CAT4 at Renaissance and other British schools), English proficiency assessments, and sometimes subject tests. BIS conducts EAL assessments for non-native English speakers.
English language support
Most HCMC international schools offer EAL (English as an Additional Language) support, but the depth varies enormously. ISHCMC has dedicated learning support staff for mild-to-moderate needs. EMASI employs educational psychologists. Smaller schools may have limited capacity.
Ask specific questions during your visit: How many dedicated EAL teachers? Is support in-class or pull-out? What's the typical timeline for students to transition to mainstream instruction? These answers tell you more about the school than any brochure.
The Vietnamese curriculum requirement
One regulatory detail for families planning to stay long-term: Vietnam requires schools to include elements of Vietnamese language and culture in their programmes. Most international schools handle this through dedicated Vietnamese language classes and cultural studies modules. The bilingual schools (BVIS, EMASI, Horizon) integrate it more deeply. This isn't a burden — it's actually useful if your children will be living in Vietnam for several years.
Making your decision
Forty-four schools is manageable, especially once you filter by curriculum preference, district, and budget. The honest truth about HCMC's international school market is that it's maturing rapidly — five years ago, the gap between the top three or four schools and everyone else was significant. Today, the mid-tier schools have invested heavily in facilities, teacher recruitment, and accreditation, and the quality spread is narrower than parents expect.
Start with the Ho Chi Minh City page on Scholae to filter by what matters to your family. Once you've got a shortlist of four or five schools, use the compare tool to see them side by side — fees, class sizes, curricula, accreditations, and student demographics in one view.
Then book your visit. Walk the corridors during lesson time, not during an open day. Talk to the parents waiting at pickup, not the admissions team. Watch how teachers interact with students who are struggling, not just the ones who are thriving. That's where you'll find the school that's right for your family — and in HCMC, at prices that make the decision a little less stressful than it needs to be.
