Among the international schools in Ho Chi Minh City, EMASI sits in the bilingual category, the route many Vietnamese and mixed nationality families choose when they want both an English language education and the national programme. EMASI runs two main campuses, Nam Long in District 7 and Van Phuc in Thu Duc City, and teaches in English and Vietnamese from the early years through to the end of High School.
EMASI at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | Bilingual: Cambridge Primary, Lower Secondary, IGCSE and A Level, with the Vietnamese national curriculum |
|---|---|
| Stages | Early years to High School, ages 2 to 18 |
| Founded | Not published |
| Accreditation | Accredited by WASC; member of the Cambridge International network |
| Fee band | Mid for the city (see Ho Chi Minh City fees) |
| Campus area | Nam Long, District 7, and Van Phuc, Thu Duc City |
Curriculum and academics
EMASI is a bilingual school in the full sense: pupils follow the Cambridge International programme, through the Primary, Lower Secondary, IGCSE and A Level stages, alongside the Vietnamese national curriculum set by the Ministry of Education and Training. English and Vietnamese are both languages of instruction, so a child leaves with recognised Cambridge qualifications and the national programme that keeps options open within Vietnam.
That dual pathway is the point of difference from the fully international campuses in the city, where teaching is in English and the national curriculum sits to one side. For families who want their children to be at ease in both languages, and to hold a Cambridge IGCSE and A Level alongside Vietnamese study, a bilingual school like EMASI is the natural fit. Parents weighing it are usually comparing the bilingual route against a fully international British or IB school, and the choice turns on how much weight a family puts on Vietnamese language and the national programme. Our overview of the Ho Chi Minh City schools sets out where the bilingual, British and IB options sit alongside one another.
Comparing EMASI with another Saigon school?
Put up to three schools side by side on curriculum, stages and fees with our compare tool, so you can weigh the bilingual route against a fully international one.
EMASI Schools fees
EMASI sits in the mid tier of our guide to international school fees in Ho Chi Minh City, below the premium international campuses, which is typical of bilingual schools that combine the national curriculum with an international programme. Tuition rises by year group, and the school publishes a fee schedule, so confirm the current figures with admissions before you plan around them.
As with any school, tuition is only part of the budget. Families should allow for a registration or application fee, a refundable deposit, Cambridge examination entries at IGCSE and A Level, and daily transport. Fees can also differ between the Nam Long and Van Phuc campuses, so check the schedule for the campus your child would attend. Our fee calculator pulls these into a single annual figure, which is the only fair way to set EMASI against a fully international alternative.
Admissions
The school year runs from August, and EMASI 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. As a bilingual school, EMASI will look at a child's language background, since pupils study in both English and Vietnamese, and may assess to confirm the right year group and the support a child needs in each language.
For families coming from outside Vietnam, the bilingual model is worth a conversation with admissions early, as a child with no Vietnamese will need support to access the national programme alongside the Cambridge pathway. Contact the admissions office to confirm availability in your child's year group, which campus has space, the documents required and any assessment.
Location and who goes there
EMASI runs its Nam Long campus in District 7, in the south of the city near the Phu My Hung township, and its Van Phuc campus in Thu Duc City, the area east of the centre formed from the former District 2 and District 9. Both sit within residential developments rather than the central business districts, which suits the family audience the school draws and keeps the commute manageable for pupils living nearby.
The intake leans towards Vietnamese and mixed nationality families who want a bilingual education close to home, rather than the expatriate on assignment audience that fills the fully international campuses. For how District 7 and Thu Duc City compare with the central districts on housing, commute and school choice, the Ho Chi Minh City hub maps out the wider picture for relocating parents.
EMASI Schools 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 EMASI, please share it through our school reviews hub to help other relocating parents.
Frequently asked questions
How much are EMASI Schools fees?
EMASI sits in the mid tier of the Ho Chi Minh City range, below the premium international campuses, as is typical of bilingual schools. Tuition rises by year group, and 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 EMASI follow?
EMASI is a bilingual school that combines the Cambridge International programme, including Primary, Lower Secondary, IGCSE and A Level stages, with the Vietnamese national curriculum set by the Ministry of Education and Training. Pupils learn in both English and Vietnamese.
What ages does EMASI take?
EMASI takes children from around age 2 in the early years through to age 18 at the end of High School, across its Nam Long and Van Phuc campuses.
Is EMASI a good school?
EMASI is one of the established bilingual options in Ho Chi Minh City, accredited by WASC and a member of the Cambridge International network. 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 EMASI 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.
