Choosing an international school in Ho Chi Minh City
For families moving to Ho Chi Minh City, choosing a school is often the most consequential decision of the relocation. Public schools teach entirely in Vietnamese, so almost all expat children attend international or bilingual schools. Fees and waiting lists vary a lot, so start planning this first.
What the schools offer
International schools suit families who want English-language teaching, a curriculum that transfers back home, or straightforward access to international universities. Ho Chi Minh City has one of the widest selections in Vietnam, covering:
- The International Baccalaureate (IB)
- The British curriculum, including IGCSEs and A-levels
- The American curriculum
- Australian, Canadian and French programmes
There are also German, Singaporean, Korean, Japanese and Taiwanese curriculum schools in the city.
Bilingual programmes at Vietnamese private schools are a middle ground. They follow the national curriculum with part of the day taught in English, and cost much less than international schools, often a few thousand to around ten thousand dollars a year. Because the core curriculum is still Vietnamese, check how well it will transfer if you move on.
Where the schools are
Most of the city's international schools are in Thao Dien, District 7 and around District 1. Thao Dien, in the former District 2, is the best-known expat neighbourhood, quieter than the centre and popular with families. Phu My Hung, in District 7, is a planned area with parks and international schools, very popular with families from Korea, Japan and Taiwan. Choose the school first and plan your housing around it.
A sample of schools and published fees
The table shows a handful of Ho Chi Minh City schools from our directory. Figures are each school's published annual tuition range for 2026-27, converted to US dollars. Fees vary by grade, exclude application, enrolment, development and capital fees, and change every year, so always check the school's current schedule.
| School | Area | Curriculum | Published annual tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| British International School Ho Chi Minh City (BIS HCMC) | Thao Dien / An Phu | English National Curriculum, IGCSE, IB Diploma Programme | $9,370 to $38,000 |
| International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) | Thao Dien | IB (PYP, MYP, DP) | $10,930 to $37,560 |
| Saigon South International School (SSIS) | District 7 (Phu My Hung) | American standards, AP, IB Diploma Programme | $20,160 to $35,150 |
| The American School (TAS) | Binh Trung (Thu Duc) | American curriculum, IB PYP, AP, IB Diploma Programme (candidate) | $9,670 to $29,160 |
| British Vietnamese International School HCMC (BVIS) | Binh Hung (Saigon South) | English National Curriculum with a Vietnamese programme, IGCSE, A-Levels | $9,860 to $26,950 |
| Lycée Français International Marguerite Duras | Long Binh (Thu Duc) | French national curriculum | $9,200 to $10,630 |
At BIS HCMC and ISHCMC, the lowest figure is for a half-day early years place. The Lycée Français publishes its fees in euros, and the range shown is the rate for other nationalities: French families pay less.
What to check before you apply
- Timing: most international schools accept applications all year round, but the most popular have waiting lists for some grades. Apply 6 to 12 months before your move if you can. SSIS advises starting in January for August entry, and the Lycée Français has a fixed enrolment window in March.
- Assessments: often part of admissions, so ask early.
- Extra costs: budget for application, registration and building fees, uniforms, meals and transport on top of tuition.
- English support: at BIS HCMC and TAS, English as an additional language (EAL) support is billed on top of tuition, while the European International School HCMC includes English support at no extra fee.
- Learning support: provision varies. ISHCMC supports mild to moderate learning needs, while the ABC International School states it does not provide special educational needs support. Ask each school directly.
How XploreVietnam can help
Our Concierge and package clients get help shortlisting schools that fit their children, budget and area, arranging school visits and preparing applications, so you can plan your housing around the school you choose. Read more in our schools guide and our destinations guide. You can search the full international school directory by city and curriculum in Navigator, our free planning portal, which also includes visa checklists, a cost of living calculator and a pre-arrival checklist.