Within the wider field of international schools in Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon South International School is one of the largest and longest running, and the established American option in the city. It was founded in 1997 by the Phu My Hung Corporation, the developer of the District 7 township, to meet rising demand for an American education from resident and expatriate families, and it features in our roundup of the best international schools in Ho Chi Minh City. With over 1,500 pupils from more than 40 countries, it operates at a scale few schools in the city match.
Saigon South International School at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | American standards based curriculum, with Advanced Placement and the IB Diploma Programme in high school |
|---|---|
| Stages | Early childhood to Grade 12, ages 3 to 18 |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges; IB Diploma authorised |
| Fee band | Premium for the city (see Ho Chi Minh City fees) |
| Campus area | Phu My Hung, District 7, south of the centre |
Curriculum and academics
SSIS teaches an American standards based curriculum from early childhood through to Grade 12, the structure that families familiar with US schooling will recognise, with elementary, middle and high school phases. What sets the high school apart is that it layers two recognised senior pathways on top of that base: Advanced Placement courses, the US college level qualification, and the IB Diploma Programme. That gives a senior the choice of AP, the full IB Diploma or a combination, which is a genuinely flexible offer and unusual in the city.
The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, a recognised US regional accreditor, which matters to families planning a return to North American education or applications to US universities. Most teachers are recruited from North America, Australia and the United Kingdom. For families weighing SSIS, the decision usually turns on whether the American route with an AP or IB choice fits the child better than a British or full IB school elsewhere, and our overview of the Ho Chi Minh City schools sets those options side by side.
Choosing between an American, IB or British school?
Put SSIS side by side with another Saigon school to weigh curriculum, senior pathways and the real annual cost.
Saigon South International School fees
SSIS sits in the premium tier of our guide to international school fees in Ho Chi Minh City, well above the value campuses in our look at the cheapest international schools in Ho Chi Minh City. As at most large international schools, tuition climbs by year group, with the high school years the most expensive part of the journey, in part because of the cost of running both AP and IB Diploma provision side by side. The school publishes a fee schedule, so confirm the current figures with admissions before you plan around them.
Beyond tuition, budget for a registration or application fee, a refundable deposit, AP and IB examination entries in the senior years and the daily commute or transport. The school's large purpose built campus, which added a STEAM design centre in 2024, is part of what the premium fee buys, and that scale is worth weighing against a smaller school where fees may be lower but facilities more modest. Our fee calculator pulls these lines into a single annual figure, the only fair way to compare a large American school with a British or full IB alternative.
Admissions
The school year runs from August, and SSIS accepts applications year round where a place is free in the grade a child would join. Its size means it can often absorb in year arrivals more readily than a small school, which suits families relocating to Vietnam off cycle. The school reviews prior school records and may assess a child to confirm the right grade and any English language support, particularly for entry into middle and high school where the curriculum builds on earlier study.
For high school applicants the conversation will include the choice between the AP and IB Diploma pathways, and a family aiming for the IB Diploma in particular should apply early and expect prior grades and subject choices to be considered. Places in popular grades can still fill despite the school's scale, so a fixed move date is worth flagging early. Contact the admissions office to confirm availability in your child's grade, the documents required and any assessment.
Location and who goes there
SSIS is set on a large campus in Phu My Hung, the planned township in District 7 that has become one of the main hubs of expatriate family life in the south of the city. Phu My Hung is known for its wide tree lined streets, parks, international restaurants and a cluster of schools and family housing, so a family living in the district can keep the commute short. For those in the central or eastern districts the drive is longer and worth timing before committing to the school.
With more than 1,500 pupils from many nationalities, the intake is broadly international, mixing expatriate families on assignment, American and other North American families, returning Vietnamese families and local families choosing a US style education. The scale supports a wide range of sports, arts and activities that a smaller school cannot match. 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.
Saigon South International School 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 Saigon South International School, please share it through our school reviews hub to help other relocating parents.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Saigon South International School fees?
SSIS sits in the premium tier of the Ho Chi Minh City range, with tuition rising by year group and the high school years the most expensive. The school publishes a fee schedule, so confirm current figures with admissions and budget for registration, a deposit, examination entries and transport on top.
What curriculum does Saigon South International School follow?
SSIS teaches an American standards based curriculum from early childhood to Grade 12, augmented in high school by Advanced Placement courses and the IB Diploma Programme, so seniors can choose AP, the IB Diploma or a mix. It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
What ages does Saigon South International School take?
The school takes children from early childhood at around age 3 through to Grade 12 at age 18, covering elementary, middle and high school on one campus in District 7.
Is Saigon South International School a good school?
SSIS is one of the larger and longer established international schools in Ho Chi Minh City, an American school with WASC accreditation and a community of over 1,500 pupils from many countries. As an independent guide we do not rank schools or take payment to feature them, so we point parents to AP and IB results, the accreditation and a visit.
When do Saigon South International School applications open?
The school year runs from August, and applications are accepted year round subject to places in the relevant grade. Families relocating mid year can apply for an in year place, so contact the admissions office to confirm availability and any assessment.
