Among the international schools in Ho Chi Minh City, the European International School is one of the few to run the entire International Baccalaureate route under a single roof, from the toddler classes through to the Diploma at 18. The campus is unusual: rather than a single block, EIS spreads across a cluster of low rise villas set in a tropical garden in Thao Dien, the riverside district that has long been home to the city's expatriate families. English is the language of instruction throughout, and the student body is drawn from more than 40 nationalities.
EIS at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | Full IB continuum: Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme |
|---|---|
| Stages | Toddler and Early Years to Grade 12, ages 2 to 18 |
| Founded | Not published |
| Accreditation | Authorised IB World School for the PYP, MYP and Diploma Programme |
| Fee band | Upper tier for the city (see Ho Chi Minh City fees) |
| Campus area | Thao Dien, An Khanh Ward, Thu Duc City, east of central Saigon |
Curriculum and academics
EIS is built around the full IB continuum, which is what sets it apart from most schools in the city. Children begin in the Primary Years Programme, an inquiry led approach that runs through the early years and primary classes, then move into the Middle Years Programme for the lower secondary years, and finish on the two year Diploma Programme in Grades 11 and 12. Offering all three programmes is rare in Vietnam, and it means a family can keep a child within one coherent framework from age 2 to 18 rather than switching systems partway through.
The Diploma is the qualification that matters most to relocating parents, because it is the exit credential universities see. It keeps six subjects in play to the end alongside the core of theory of knowledge, the extended essay and creativity, activity and service, which suits a child who wants breadth rather than early specialisation. Parents weighing EIS are usually comparing it with the other Diploma providers in the city, and our overview of the IB schools in Ho Chi Minh City sets out how they line up on programme, size and campus.
Working out what an EIS place really costs?
Our fee calculator brings tuition, registration, examinations and transport into one annual figure so you can compare EIS fairly with another Saigon school.
European International School Ho Chi Minh City fees
EIS sits in the upper tier of our guide to international school fees in Ho Chi Minh City, among the higher charging IB schools in the city. As with most schools that finish on the Diploma, tuition climbs by year group, and the Grade 11 and 12 Diploma years are the most expensive stage of the route. The school publishes a fee schedule, so confirm the current figures with admissions before you plan around them, and treat any band described here as a position in the market rather than a quote.
Tuition is only part of the picture. Families should also budget for a registration or application fee, a refundable deposit, IB examination entries in the Diploma years, and daily transport, which matters in a city where traffic can make the school run long. Our fee calculator pulls these line items into a single annual figure, which is the only fair way to set a full continuum IB school against a British or bilingual alternative in the city.
Admissions
The school year runs from August, and EIS accepts applications year round wherever a place is free in the year group a child would join. That flexibility suits families relocating to Vietnam outside the usual cycle, because an in year start 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 needed, particularly for entry into the Middle Years and Diploma programmes, which build on earlier IB study.
Places in the Diploma years can be competitive, so a family aiming for the final two years should apply early and expect prior grades to be considered. Because EIS sits on a single campus rather than several, year group capacity is finite and popular intakes fill, so contact the admissions office to confirm availability in your child's year, the documents required and any assessment or interview.
Location and who goes there
EIS is in Thao Dien, in An Khanh Ward of Thu Duc City, on the eastern side of the Saigon River. Its garden campus, a set of villas around green space rather than a single tower, gives the school a calmer feel than many city campuses. Thao Dien has long been the centre of expatriate Ho Chi Minh City, with international shops, cafes and a settled foreign community, which makes EIS an easy fit for families who want to live within walking or short driving distance of where their children study.
The intake is genuinely international, with families from more than 40 countries, mixing expatriates on assignment with internationally minded Vietnamese families who want an English medium IB education. For how Thao Dien compares with District 7 and the central districts on housing, commute and school choice, the Ho Chi Minh City hub maps out the wider picture for relocating parents.
European International School Ho Chi Minh City 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 EIS, please share it through our school reviews hub to help other relocating parents.
Frequently asked questions
How much are European International School Ho Chi Minh City fees?
EIS sits in the upper tier of the Ho Chi Minh City range, with tuition rising by year group and the 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 European International School Ho Chi Minh City follow?
EIS teaches the full International Baccalaureate continuum, the Primary Years Programme, the Middle Years Programme and the Diploma Programme. It is an authorised IB World School and one of only a few schools in Vietnam to offer all three programmes.
What ages does European International School Ho Chi Minh City take?
EIS takes children from age 2 in its toddler and early years classes through to age 18 at the end of the Diploma Programme in Grade 12, all on a single garden campus.
Is European International School Ho Chi Minh City a good school?
EIS is one of the few full IB continuum schools in Vietnam and draws a community from more than 40 countries. As an independent guide we do not rank schools or take payment to feature them, so we point parents to its published Diploma results, its IB authorisation and a visit.
When do European International School Ho Chi Minh City 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.
