IB in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is now one of the most established IB markets in Southeast Asia, with ten authorised schools across the metropolitan area, around 1,800 students sitting the IB Primary Years, Middle Years or Diploma each year, and a settled expatriate base of around 80,000 families. The city has grown into a serious alternative to Bangkok for regional postings, particularly for families working in manufacturing, technology and finance, and the IB sector has expanded in step. What was a market of three or four schools fifteen years ago is now a mature ecosystem with dual campus operators, primary feeders, and a real choice of pedagogy and price point.
Two factors define the market. The first is geography. Expatriate families concentrate in two corridors. Thao Dien and An Phu in District 2 on the east bank of the Saigon River, where the older international schools cluster. And Phu My Hung in District 7 to the south, a planned satellite township with its own dense school cluster. The second factor is regulation. Vietnamese law historically capped foreign and local student percentages at international and bilingual schools, although the rules have been progressively liberalised in recent years.
How many IB schools in Ho Chi Minh City
Ten schools across Ho Chi Minh City are authorised to deliver at least one IB programme. Six run the full continuum from PYP through MYP to the Diploma. International School Ho Chi Minh City, Australian International School Vietnam, European International School Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon South International School, Renaissance International School Saigon and the British International School Ho Chi Minh City all run multiple IB programmes. Four schools offer the Diploma alongside another senior exit, typically the Cambridge IGCSE and A Level or the Australian HSC.
Among the ten, six are based primarily in District 2 around Thao Dien and An Phu, three are based in District 7 in Phu My Hung, and one operates dual campuses across both. District 2 schools tend to draw the longer established expatriate community, particularly Western European, Australian and North American families. District 7 schools tend to draw the Korean, Japanese, Taiwanese and Singaporean families clustered around Phu My Hung's planned residential developments.
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Illustrative example schools
Three illustrative schools, not a ranking. Each represents a different point on the Ho Chi Minh City IB market.
International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) in An Phu, District 2 is the oldest international school in the city, founded in 1993, and runs the full IB continuum across its primary campus at An Phu and its secondary campus in Thao Dien. ISHCMC has around 1,500 students and a Diploma cohort of around 95 candidates a year, with average scores in the 34 to 37 range. Tuition runs from USD 22,000 to 38,000 a year depending on year level.
Australian International School Vietnam (AIS) across three campuses in Thao Dien and Thu Thiem runs both the IB Diploma and the Cambridge IGCSE and A Level pathway, giving senior school families a choice. AIS has around 1,100 students and runs the IB Primary Years from age three. IB Diploma cohort around 55, average score 33 to 35. Tuition is around USD 18,000 to 34,000 a year.
European International School Ho Chi Minh City (EIS) in Thao Dien runs the full IB continuum with strong European language teaching including French, German and Spanish. Smaller than ISHCMC and AIS, with around 750 students and a Diploma cohort of around 35. The school is part of the Cognita group. Tuition is around USD 20,000 to 32,000 a year. Our best IB schools in Ho Chi Minh City guide compares these alongside the District 7 IB schools.
Fees and the all in cost
IB school fees in Ho Chi Minh City sit in three bands. The entry band, USD 16,000 to 22,000 a year, covers the smaller dual language IB providers and the lower primary years at the larger schools. The mid band, USD 22,000 to 30,000 a year, covers the bulk of the IB primary and middle years offerings at AIS, EIS, Renaissance and ISHCMC primary. The premium band, USD 30,000 to 38,000 a year, covers the IB Diploma years at ISHCMC, the British International School senior, and AIS senior. By regional standards Ho Chi Minh City IB fees are around 15 to 25 per cent cheaper than Bangkok and roughly half the equivalent in Singapore or Hong Kong.
On top of tuition, expect a one off registration fee of USD 2,500 to 5,000, an annual capital levy of USD 800 to 2,500, lunch and transport of USD 1,800 to 3,200 a year, uniform of USD 200 to 400, and the IB Diploma exam entry fee of around USD 1,200 to 1,500 in year 12. Our international school fees in Ho Chi Minh City guide sets out the full picture, and the school finder shortlists three IB schools based on your child's age and budget.
Admissions and where IB families live
The Vietnamese school year runs from late August to early June, with two long breaks in December and April and the main summer break from June to August. Most IB schools open applications for the August intake from the previous October, with offers in February and March. Mid year transfers are routine because expatriate turnover in Ho Chi Minh City remains high, particularly in the manufacturing and technology sectors. Year 12 entry into the IB Diploma is more constrained because the two year programme prefers a year 11 start, although ISHCMC and AIS accept year 12 transfers from a recognised IB Diploma start elsewhere.
IB families in Ho Chi Minh City live in one of two main expatriate corridors. Thao Dien and An Phu in District 2 for ISHCMC, AIS, EIS, the British International School and Saigon Star, with strong Western European, Australian and North American representation. Phu My Hung in District 7 for Saigon South International School, Renaissance International School Saigon and the ISHCMC primary campus, with stronger Korean, Japanese and Singaporean cohorts. Our sibling hubs cover the British curriculum, American curriculum and bilingual schools markets in detail.
Frequently asked questions
How many IB schools are there in Ho Chi Minh City?
Ten schools across Ho Chi Minh City are authorised to deliver at least one IB programme. Of these, six run the full continuum from the Primary Years Programme through to the Diploma. Four offer the Diploma alongside another senior exit such as Cambridge IGCSE and A Level or the Australian HSC.
What IB Diploma scores do Ho Chi Minh City schools achieve?
Average IB Diploma scores at the established Ho Chi Minh City schools sit between 33 and 37 points out of 45. The strongest cohorts at the International School Ho Chi Minh City and the Australian International School Vietnam regularly produce candidates scoring above 40 points. The city wide average is broadly in line with Bangkok and slightly ahead of Hanoi.
How much do IB schools in Ho Chi Minh City cost?
IB Diploma tuition runs from USD 16,000 a year at the smaller dual language IB schools to USD 38,000 a year at the established district 2 international schools. The all in cost including capital levy, registration fee, lunch, transport and exam entry is typically 20 to 25 per cent higher.
Can Vietnamese citizens attend international IB schools in Ho Chi Minh City?
Yes, but with constraints. Vietnamese law historically capped the percentage of Vietnamese students at international schools, although the rules have been progressively liberalised. Most foreign owned international schools now accept Vietnamese students subject to documentation and the published quota. Bilingual IB schools are unrestricted for Vietnamese citizens.
Where do IB families tend to live in Ho Chi Minh City?
Two main expatriate clusters. Thao Dien and An Phu in District 2 for International School Ho Chi Minh City, Australian International School Vietnam, European International School and Saigon Star. Phu My Hung in District 7 for Saigon South International School, Renaissance International School and the ISHCMC primary campus.
