Among the international schools in Ho Chi Minh City, ISHCMC holds a particular place in the city's history: founded in 1993, it was the first IB World School in Vietnam, set up to educate the children of the expatriate families who arrived as the country opened to foreign investment. It has grown into a large coeducational school of more than 1,400 students from over 60 nationalities, split between a primary campus in An Phu and a secondary campus in Thao Dien, and it is part of the Cognita group.
ISHCMC at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | Full IB continuum: Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme |
|---|---|
| Stages | Early Years to Grade 12, ages 2 to 18 |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Accreditation | Authorised IB World School for the PYP, MYP and Diploma Programme, the first in Vietnam; part of the Cognita group |
| Fee band | Premium for the city (see Ho Chi Minh City fees) |
| Campus area | Primary in An Phu Ward and secondary in Thao Dien, Thu Duc City, east of central Saigon |
Curriculum and academics
ISHCMC runs the full IB continuum, and as the longest established IB school in the country it has the deepest experience of the programme in Vietnam. Children begin in the Primary Years Programme through the early years and primary grades, continue into the Middle Years Programme in lower secondary, and finish on the two year Diploma Programme in Grades 11 and 12. Keeping all three programmes in one school means a family can follow a single, coherent approach to learning from age 2 to 18.
The Diploma is the qualification that carries the most weight with universities, and the school publishes its results each year. For parents the IB route 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 over early specialisation. Families weighing ISHCMC are usually comparing it with the city's other Diploma providers, and our overview of the IB schools in Ho Chi Minh City sets out how they compare on size, campus and programme.
Deciding between ISHCMC and another IB school?
Put ISHCMC side by side with up to two other Saigon schools on curriculum, fees and campus with our Compare tool.
International School Ho Chi Minh City fees
ISHCMC sits in the premium 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 rises by year group, and the Grade 11 and 12 Diploma years are the most expensive stage. The school publishes a fee schedule, so confirm the current figures with admissions before you plan around them.
Tuition is only part of the budget. Families should also allow for a registration or application fee, a refundable deposit, IB examination entries in the Diploma years, and daily transport between home and the two campuses, which can be significant given the city's traffic. Our fee calculator pulls these into a single annual figure, which is the only fair way to set a premium IB school against a British or bilingual alternative in the city.
Admissions
The school year runs from August, and ISHCMC 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 needed, particularly for entry into the Middle Years and Diploma programmes, which build on earlier 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. As a large school on two campuses, ISHCMC has more capacity than most, but popular year groups 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
ISHCMC is built around two campuses on the eastern side of the Saigon River: the primary campus on Vo Truong Toan Street in An Phu Ward, and the secondary campus in nearby Thao Dien, both in Thu Duc City. The arrangement keeps younger and older children in the same broad area while giving each stage its own buildings and facilities. Thao Dien and An Phu have long been the centre of expatriate Ho Chi Minh City, with international shops, cafes and a settled foreign community, which makes the school an easy fit for families who want to live close to where their children study.
With more than 60 nationalities, the intake is broadly international, mixing expatriate families on assignment with internationally minded Vietnamese families drawn by the school's long IB record. For how An Phu and Thao Dien compare 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.
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 ISHCMC, please share it through our school reviews hub to help other relocating parents.
Frequently asked questions
How much are International School Ho Chi Minh City fees?
ISHCMC sits in the premium 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 International School Ho Chi Minh City follow?
ISHCMC teaches the full International Baccalaureate continuum, the Primary Years Programme, the Middle Years Programme and the Diploma Programme. Founded in 1993, it was the first IB World School in Vietnam and is part of the Cognita group.
What ages does International School Ho Chi Minh City take?
ISHCMC takes children from age 2 in the early years through to age 18 at the end of the Diploma Programme, with a primary campus in An Phu and a secondary campus in Thao Dien.
Is International School Ho Chi Minh City a good school?
ISHCMC is the longest established IB school in Vietnam, a large school of more than 1,400 students from over 60 nationalities, and it publishes its Diploma results. As an independent guide we do not rank schools or take payment to feature them, so we point parents to its published results, its IB authorisation and a visit.
When do 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.
