Bilingual education in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City has around 22 schools delivering a genuine bilingual programme, where Vietnamese and English are both used as teaching languages across the curriculum. Bilingual is a fast growing segment in the city. Vietnamese parents increasingly want their children to acquire English to international standards while retaining Vietnamese cultural and academic grounding, and the segment also draws Vietnamese diaspora families returning from overseas, mixed marriage families, and a growing number of foreign families on long term postings who want their children to learn Vietnamese.
Three distinctions matter. First, bilingual is not the same as international. Bilingual schools deliver the Vietnamese Ministry of Education curriculum alongside an international stream, typically Cambridge International or an American style diploma, while international schools deliver a foreign curriculum end to end. Second, bilingual schools are unrestricted for Vietnamese citizens, unlike foreign curriculum international schools which are subject to the published quota. Third, bilingual fees are materially below international fees, typically half to two thirds of the equivalent international school price.
How many bilingual schools in Ho Chi Minh City
Around 22 schools across the metropolitan area run a genuine bilingual programme. The largest single operator is Vietnam Australia International School with five campuses across Districts 1, 3, 7, Binh Thanh and Tan Phu, around 9,500 students system wide, and a curriculum that pairs the Vietnamese Ministry programme with a Cambridge International stream. EMASI operates two purpose built campuses in District 7 and Binh Thanh with around 2,400 students, also pairing Vietnamese and Cambridge International. Wellspring Saigon, SNA Saigon, the Western Australian International School System, the Albert Einstein School and the Royal School make up the next tier.
Beyond the major operators, a long tail of smaller bilingual schools delivers the Vietnamese curriculum with 40 to 60 per cent English instruction, typically branded as international bilingual or quoc te song ngu. Quality varies sharply across this tail, with the strongest operating to standards close to international schools and the weakest operating closer to local Vietnamese schools with intensive English language teaching bolted on. Independent verification of accreditation, particularly Cambridge International or WASC, is the most reliable filter for parents.
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Illustrative example schools
Three illustrative schools, not a ranking. Each represents a different point on the Ho Chi Minh City bilingual market.
Vietnam Australia International School (VAS) is the largest bilingual operator in southern Vietnam, with five campuses, around 9,500 students and a dual diploma programme that places Cambridge IGCSEs and A Levels alongside the Vietnamese senior school qualification. Recent IGCSE and A Level cohorts have produced strong results, with VAS regularly placing leavers at Australian, UK and Vietnamese universities. Tuition runs from USD 8,000 to 18,000 a year depending on campus and year level.
EMASI Schools operates two campuses in District 7 Nam Long and Binh Thanh Van Phuc, with around 2,400 students. EMASI runs a Cambridge international stream alongside the Vietnamese curriculum and has invested heavily in arts, music and sports facilities. Tuition is around USD 9,000 to 16,000 a year. EMASI has a smaller cohort than VAS but higher staff to student ratios.
Wellspring Saigon Bilingual International School in District 7 opened in 2014 and runs Cambridge International alongside the Vietnamese curriculum to around 1,200 students. The school has a strong focus on the IB Middle Years framework adapted to bilingual delivery, and IGCSE outcomes are competitive with the larger operators. Tuition is around USD 10,000 to 17,000 a year. Our best international schools in Ho Chi Minh City guide compares bilingual options alongside the full international providers.
Fees and the all in cost
Bilingual school fees in Ho Chi Minh City fall into three bands. The entry band, USD 6,000 to 9,000 a year, covers Early Years and lower primary at the smaller bilingual schools and the entry campuses of the major operators. The mid band, USD 9,000 to 14,000 a year, covers most primary and lower secondary at VAS, EMASI, Wellspring Saigon and SNA. The upper band, USD 14,000 to 20,000 a year, covers IGCSE and A Level years at the flagship campuses, particularly VAS Sunrise and EMASI Van Phuc. Bilingual fees are typically half to two thirds of comparable international school fees in the city.
On top of tuition, expect a one off enrolment fee of USD 800 to 2,000, an annual facilities or capital fee of USD 400 to 1,200, lunch and transport of USD 1,200 to 2,500 a year combined, uniform of USD 100 to 250, and Cambridge IGCSE and A Level exam fees of around USD 800 to 1,200 in year 11 and year 13. Our international school fees in Ho Chi Minh City guide compares bilingual against full international fees, and the fees tool filters by curriculum and budget.
Admissions and who chooses bilingual
The Vietnamese school year runs from late August to early June at most bilingual schools, with the entry intake at the start of the year and rolling admission for mid year transfers. Most bilingual schools run an entry assessment from year 3 upwards, covering Vietnamese, English and mathematics at age appropriate level. Year 6 and year 10 are natural transfer points because they align with the Vietnamese stage transitions and the Cambridge IGCSE entry year. Admissions are unrestricted for Vietnamese citizens, which is the single biggest practical reason families choose bilingual over international.
The bilingual segment draws three main groups. Vietnamese families wanting strong English language outcomes plus retention of Vietnamese cultural and academic identity. Vietnamese diaspora families returning from the US, Australia or Europe whose children have lost or never acquired Vietnamese. And mixed marriage families and foreign families on long term postings who want their children to acquire Vietnamese alongside English. Our sibling hubs cover the British, American and IB markets in detail.
Frequently asked questions
How many bilingual schools are there in Ho Chi Minh City?
Around 22 schools across the metropolitan area run a genuine bilingual programme, with Vietnamese and English used as teaching languages across the curriculum. The largest operators are Vietnam Australia International School (VAS), EMASI, Wellspring Saigon, SNA and the Western Australian International School System.
What is the difference between bilingual and international schools?
Bilingual schools deliver the Vietnamese Ministry of Education curriculum alongside an international stream, typically Cambridge or American. International schools deliver a foreign curriculum end to end. Bilingual schools are unrestricted for Vietnamese citizens, while foreign curriculum schools are subject to a published quota.
How much do bilingual schools cost in Ho Chi Minh City?
Bilingual tuition runs from around USD 6,000 a year in Early Years at the smaller operators to USD 20,000 a year at the flagship IGCSE and A Level campuses. The all in cost including enrolment, capital levy, lunch, transport and exam fees typically adds 15 to 20 per cent. Bilingual fees are roughly half to two thirds of comparable international fees.
Can foreign children attend bilingual schools in Ho Chi Minh City?
Yes. Bilingual schools are open to foreign students subject to entry assessment in English and age appropriate Vietnamese. Foreign students are typically placed into the international stream for academic content with Vietnamese as a second language. The proportion of foreign students varies from 5 per cent at the most locally focused schools to 25 per cent at the most international leaning operators.
Do bilingual schools lead to university entry abroad?
Yes. The major bilingual operators run Cambridge IGCSE and A Level alongside the Vietnamese senior school qualification, which gives leavers a recognised international pathway. Recent VAS, EMASI and Wellspring Saigon cohorts have placed leavers at Australian, UK, US, Singaporean and Vietnamese universities.
