Ho Chi Minh City - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
Most commonly used schools amongst Consulate families are ISHCMC and BIS (Int'l School of HCMC and British Int'l School). Both offer IB programs; both are located in District 2, near villa-gated neighborhood and family apartments. Parents are equally happy with both schools and their admin teams, as well. BIS tends to be a bit more structured, but has had issues with bullying as young as elementary grades. ISHCMC is a Contiga school, and seems to be more free-thinking, student-led, while still following a specific academic itinerary. Both are great options. There is also AIS, the Australian Int'l School, that Cons families have attended. I don't know much information about that school. - Sep 2021
Very good schools: American, British, Australian, and German. - Jul 2019
There are many more than before - but the Big Three for the expat community are ISHCMC and BIS in District 2, and SSIS in District 7. There are many others but they are mostly for the local wealthy families. - Mar 2016
HCMC has a wide variety of International Schools located in D1, D2 and D7. International School of HCMC, British International School, Australian International School, European International School, Montessori International School, German International School, French International School, Saigon South International School and Canadian International Schools. Our children go to International School of HCMC in the pre-school program, and we have been very happy with it. Many of my friends feel the same way. I have heard very few (if any) negative comments. - Aug 2015
Our kids are young but one went to the Montessori International School and then we switched to the Australian International School. We liked both, but the facilities at the latter are more up to date and the teachers speak more consistently in English. Still, we were very happy with the quality of teaching and care at both. - May 2014
There are good International schools here, mostly across the river in Anh Phu. I have no experience with them, but know friends with children who attend and are happy with the education. - Sep 2010
ISHCMC is good - an IB world school with an expat international feel. The rest are primarily for local rich families, with the resulting emphasis on exams and rote learning. All schools have space issues and no real playing fields to speak of any more. - Nov 2009
Decent quality for younger children, families with teenagers said it was not as academically challenging for their gifted children. - Dec 2008
