Within the field of international schools in Ho Chi Minh City, the Canadian International School holds a distinct position as the first school in Vietnam to offer the Ontario curriculum from kindergarten through the secondary years. Founded in 2009, it has grown into a large school on a purpose built campus in Phu My Hung, the planned township in District 7 that is home to much of the city's expatriate and professional Vietnamese community.
CIS Vietnam at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | Ontario curriculum to Grade 10, with Advanced Placement, then the IB Diploma Programme in Grades 11 and 12 |
|---|---|
| Stages | Kindergarten to senior, ages 2 to 18 |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Accreditation | Authorised IB World School since 2015; in partnership with the Toronto District School Board |
| Fee band | Upper mid to premium (see Ho Chi Minh City fees) |
| Campus area | Phu My Hung, District 7, south of central Saigon |
Curriculum and academics
CIS is built on the Ontario curriculum, the Canadian provincial system that runs from kindergarten through to Grade 10 at the school, giving pupils a recognised Canadian foundation and, for those who complete the senior secondary stage, a route to the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. In Grades 9 and 10 the school adds Advanced Placement courses, and in Grades 11 and 12 pupils move on to the IB Diploma Programme, the qualification CIS uses to finish the school career and prepare pupils for universities worldwide. The school has been an authorised IB World School since 2015.
That combination, a Canadian foundation with an IB Diploma finish, gives families a clear pathway with two internationally recognised qualifications along the way. The partnership with the Toronto District School Board, Canada's largest school board, sits behind the academic programme. Parents weighing CIS are often comparing the IB Diploma against A Levels or a North American high school diploma offered elsewhere, and the choice turns on whether a child prefers the breadth of the Diploma or a more specialised route. Our overview of the Ho Chi Minh City schools sets out where the Canadian, British and bilingual options sit alongside one another.
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Canadian International School Vietnam fees
CIS sits in the upper mid to premium part of our guide to international school fees in Ho Chi Minh City, above the value campuses but generally below the most expensive premium schools in the city. As with most schools that finish on the IB Diploma, tuition climbs by year group, and the senior years are the most expensive stage. The school publishes a fee schedule, so confirm the current figures with admissions before you plan around them.
Beyond tuition, families should allow for a registration or application fee, a refundable deposit, IB and Advanced Placement examination entries, and daily transport, which matters given the distance from District 7 to other parts of the city. Our fee calculator pulls these into a single annual figure, which is the only fair way to set CIS against a British or bilingual alternative in the city.
Admissions
The school year runs from August, and CIS accepts applications year round wherever a place is free in the year group a child would join. That suits families relocating to Vietnam outside the usual cycle, since an in year place can often be arranged. The school reviews prior school records and may assess a child to confirm the right year group and the level of English support, particularly for entry into the senior Ontario and IB Diploma years, which build on earlier study.
Places in the senior IB years are sought after, so a family aiming for the Diploma should apply early and expect prior grades to be considered. As a large single campus school, CIS has good capacity across the year groups, but popular intakes still fill, so contact the admissions office to confirm availability in your child's year group, the documents required and any assessment.
Location and who goes there
CIS occupies a large campus in Phu My Hung, the planned township within District 7 in the south of the city. Phu My Hung is known for its wide streets, green space and a concentration of international families, which makes it one of the more settled residential areas for expatriates outside the central districts. The campus is purpose built, with sports and arts facilities on a single site, and is easy to reach from across District 7 and the neighbouring areas.
The intake is broadly international, mixing expatriate families on assignment with Vietnamese families choosing a Canadian and IB education close to home in the south of the city. For how Phu My Hung and District 7 compare with Thao Dien and the central districts on housing, commute and school choice, the Ho Chi Minh City hub maps out the wider picture for relocating parents.
Canadian International School Vietnam reviews
No verified reviews yet. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so we publish parent reviews only once we can confirm the reviewer is part of the school community, and you will not find an invented star rating here. If your family has experience of CIS Vietnam, please share it through our school reviews hub to help other relocating parents.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Canadian International School Vietnam fees?
CIS sits in the upper mid to premium tier of the Ho Chi Minh City range, with tuition rising by year group and the senior IB Diploma years the most expensive. The school publishes a fee schedule, so confirm current figures with admissions and budget for registration, a deposit, examinations and transport on top.
What curriculum does Canadian International School Vietnam follow?
CIS teaches the Ontario curriculum from kindergarten to Grade 10, with Advanced Placement courses available, then offers the IB Diploma Programme in Grades 11 and 12. It has been an authorised IB World School since 2015 and works in partnership with the Toronto District School Board.
What ages does Canadian International School Vietnam take?
The school takes children from age 2 in the early years through to age 18 at the end of the IB Diploma, covering kindergarten, primary and secondary on a single District 7 campus.
Is Canadian International School Vietnam a good school?
CIS was the first school in Vietnam to offer the Ontario curriculum and is an established IB World School with a large purpose built campus in Phu My Hung. As an independent guide we do not rank schools or take payment to feature them, so we point parents to its published results, inspection findings and a visit.
When do Canadian International School Vietnam applications open?
The school year runs from August, and applications are accepted year round subject to places in the relevant year group. Families relocating mid year can apply for an in year place, so contact the admissions office to confirm availability and any assessment.
