How many international nurseries and preschools in Hanoi
The international nursery and preschool segment in Hanoi runs to roughly 60 to 75 settings across the city, ranging from large international school early-years units attached to UNIS Hanoi, BIS Hanoi and Concordia Hanoi, through to standalone English-medium preschool chains and bilingual Vietnamese-English settings. The main international school early-years offers are UNIS Hanoi Early Childhood, BIS Hanoi Early Years, Concordia Hanoi PreK and Kindergarten and LFAY maternelle. The standalone English-medium chains that recur most often in expatriate parent shortlists are Maple Bear Canadian Preschool, KinderWorld Singapore International Pre-School and Apple Tree Preschool with its Reggio Emilia inspired programme. The Montessori cluster, covered separately on our Hanoi Montessori hub, runs to a further 20 to 25 settings. Together these schools serve a Hanoi international early-years cohort of well over 12,000 children aged 18 months to 6 years. For the wider Hanoi market see our Hanoi city hub and the school finder quiz.
Reggio Emilia, Montessori, IB PYP and play-based
Hanoi's international early-years sector spans four broadly recognised pedagogical approaches. The IB Primary Years Programme, the PYP, anchors UNIS Hanoi and Singapore International School at SIS Hanoi, with inquiry-led, transdisciplinary teaching aligned to the wider IB continuum. The English National Curriculum Early Years Foundation Stage, the EYFS, anchors BIS Hanoi Early Years and most British-led settings, with structured prime and specific areas of learning. The Montessori approach, covered in detail on our Hanoi Montessori hub, anchors Sakura Montessori and the wider Montessori cluster. The Reggio Emilia inspired approach, less formal and stronger on documented child voice, anchors Apple Tree Preschool, KinderGreen and several smaller Tay Ho settings. Concordia Hanoi runs a US-style play-based PreK and Kindergarten, with structured circle time and emerging literacy alongside open exploration.
Fees at the international early-years stage
Hanoi international nursery and preschool fees split into three rough tiers. The international school early-years units sit at the top, with UNIS Hanoi Early Childhood at roughly USD 22,000 a year, BIS Hanoi Early Years at USD 19,000, Concordia Hanoi Kindergarten at USD 22,000 and LFAY maternelle at EUR 6,800. The English-medium chain preschools sit in the middle tier at USD 8,000 to USD 14,000 a year for full-day attendance, equivalent to VND 200 million to VND 350 million. Vietnamese-led bilingual preschools and the broader Sakura Montessori network sit at the lower tier at VND 60 million to VND 130 million a year, equivalent to USD 2,400 to USD 5,200. Capital and entrance fees of VND 10 million to USD 5,000 fall at first registration across the tiers. For the wider Hanoi early-years fee picture see our Hanoi school fees guide and the cost calculator.
UNIS, BIS Early Years, Maple Bear or Apple Tree?
Take our 5 minute school finder quiz. We shortlist three Hanoi early-years settings based on your child's age, your district and your preferred pedagogy.
Illustrative example settings
The settings below are illustrative, not a ranking. Each holds a distinct identity in the Hanoi international early-years market.
UNIS Hanoi Early Childhood (Tay Ho, Ciputra) is the IB PYP early-years anchor in the city, attached to the wider UNIS Hanoi single-site campus. Strong diplomatic and UN family base, full IB PYP authorisation, and direct progression into the UNIS Hanoi primary school at Year 1.
Maple Bear Canadian Preschool Hanoi (multiple campuses) is the Canadian-curriculum standalone chain anchored on the Maple Bear global franchise model, with English-medium delivery, a small Vietnamese language strand and campuses across Tay Ho, Ba Dinh and Cau Giay.
Apple Tree Preschool (Tay Ho, West Lake) is the Reggio Emilia inspired standalone preschool in Tay Ho, with English-medium delivery, a project-based approach and a smaller class size model than the chain settings.
Where preschool families cluster in Hanoi
International preschool families in Hanoi cluster strongly in Tay Ho District around West Lake, the diplomatic and expatriate heart of the city, and in Vinhomes Riverside in Long Bien, the family-led township across the Red River. Tay Ho is the heart of the chain preschool market, with Maple Bear, Apple Tree, KinderWorld, Sunrise Kidz and a dense cluster of bilingual settings on or just off Xuan Dieu, Tay Ho and Lac Long Quan roads. Tay Ho four-bedroom villa stock runs USD 2,500 to USD 5,500 a month, with serviced apartments at USD 1,800 to USD 3,500. Vinhomes Riverside in Long Bien anchors the BIS Hanoi Early Years cohort and a parallel set of bilingual preschools serving the Vingroup-employee and Vietnamese diaspora returnee family base, with four-bedroom villa stock at USD 2,500 to USD 4,500 a month.
Admissions, transitions and bilingual exposure
Hanoi international preschool admissions run a rolling calendar, with the main intake in September aligned to the Vietnamese and international school year and a smaller intake in January. International school early-years units such as UNIS Hanoi Early Childhood and BIS Hanoi Early Years run sibling priority and transition priority for families already inside the school, with the main external admissions window opening in November. Standalone preschools such as Maple Bear and Apple Tree run open admissions subject to age-band capacity. The practical concern for most parents is the transition from preschool to primary at Year 1, which is smoothest where the preschool feeds directly into the same school, less smooth where families move from a standalone preschool to BIS Hanoi, UNIS Hanoi or Concordia. Bilingual exposure varies sharply by setting, from English-only at Apple Tree and Maple Bear premium tier through to roughly 60 percent Vietnamese, 40 percent English at the Vietnamese-led bilingual preschools. For sibling-cluster context see our Hanoi Montessori hub and the best Hanoi international schools guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many international nurseries and preschools are in Hanoi?
Hanoi has roughly 60 to 75 international nursery and preschool settings, plus a further 20 to 25 Montessori-branded preschools. The main international school early-years units are at UNIS Hanoi, BIS Hanoi, Concordia Hanoi and LFAY. Major standalone chains include Maple Bear, KinderWorld, Apple Tree and Sunrise Kidz across Tay Ho and Long Bien.
What pedagogical approaches do Hanoi preschools use?
Four broad approaches: the IB Primary Years Programme at UNIS Hanoi and SIS Hanoi, the English National Curriculum EYFS at BIS Hanoi and other British-led settings, the Montessori approach at Sakura and the wider Montessori cluster, and the Reggio Emilia inspired approach at Apple Tree, KinderGreen and several Tay Ho standalone settings. Concordia Hanoi runs a US-style play-based PreK and Kindergarten.
How much do international preschools in Hanoi cost?
Three rough tiers. International school early-years units such as UNIS Early Childhood and Concordia Kindergarten sit at USD 19,000 to USD 22,000 a year. English-medium chain preschools such as Maple Bear and Apple Tree sit at USD 8,000 to USD 14,000. Vietnamese-led bilingual preschools sit at VND 60 million to VND 130 million, equivalent to USD 2,400 to USD 5,200.
Will my child be ready for primary at Year 1?
Yes, where the transition is planned. Early-years units attached to UNIS Hanoi, BIS Hanoi, Concordia Hanoi and LFAY feed directly into their own primary schools, which makes the transition straightforward. Standalone preschools such as Maple Bear and Apple Tree run structured Year 1 readiness programmes in the final term to support the move into BIS, UNIS, Concordia or Vinschool primary.
Are Hanoi international preschools English-medium?
It varies. The international school early-years units are English-medium with Vietnamese language sessions, and the same is true at Maple Bear, KinderWorld and Apple Tree. LFAY maternelle is French-medium. Vietnamese-led bilingual preschools run at roughly 60 percent Vietnamese, 40 percent English. Parents prioritising English immersion choose the chain and international school routes.
Where do international preschool families live in Hanoi?
International preschool families cluster strongly in Tay Ho District around West Lake, the heart of the chain preschool market with Maple Bear, Apple Tree and KinderWorld campuses on or near Xuan Dieu road. A second cluster sits in Vinhomes Riverside in Long Bien, anchored on BIS Hanoi Early Years and the wider Vingroup-employee family base.
