Among the early years options for international schools in Ho Chi Minh City, Sakura Montessori International School is one of the better known bilingual Montessori names. It belongs to a Vietnamese network that began in Hanoi in 2011 and has since opened campuses in several cities, including a site in An Phu on the eastern side of Ho Chi Minh City. Unlike the large through schools that run from kindergarten to Grade 12, Sakura is a dedicated preschool, focused entirely on the youngest children and the Montessori approach to those first years.
Sakura Montessori at a glance
| Method and language | Montessori method, taught bilingually in English and Vietnamese |
|---|---|
| Stages | Preschool only, around 15 months to 6 years |
| Founded | Network founded in Hanoi in 2011; An Phu campus more recent |
| Accreditation | Montessori method school; formal accreditation not published |
| Fee band | Lower to middle of the early years range (see Ho Chi Minh City fees) |
| Campus area | An Phu, Thu Duc City, east of the centre |
Montessori method and learning
Sakura follows the Montessori approach, the method developed by Maria Montessori that organises learning around prepared classrooms, mixed age groups and child led work with specific hands on materials. In practice that means toddler rooms for the youngest children and a longer mixed group for ages 3 to 6, where a child chooses activities and works at their own pace under the guidance of a trained teacher rather than sitting through whole class lessons. The materials build practical life skills, sensory awareness, early maths and language step by step.
What distinguishes Sakura within the city is the bilingual delivery. Children are exposed to both English and Vietnamese through the day, which suits families who want their child to keep or build Vietnamese alongside English, as well as expatriate families wanting an immersive English environment in the early years. Because this is a preschool, the question for most parents is not exam results but the quality of the prepared environment, the training of the teachers and how smoothly a child will move on to a primary school afterwards. Our overview of the Ho Chi Minh City schools sets out the primary options a Sakura graduate might progress to.
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Sakura Montessori fees
As a bilingual preschool, Sakura sits well below the premium campuses in our guide to international school fees in Ho Chi Minh City, which are driven by the cost of senior school programmes Sakura does not run. Early years fees are generally lower than primary and secondary tuition across the city, though a full day bilingual Montessori place still represents a real commitment. Fees vary by the programme and the number of sessions a week, so confirm the current schedule directly with the An Phu campus before planning around it.
Beyond the headline tuition, parents should budget for a one off registration or enrolment fee, meals and snacks, and any optional extras such as additional language sessions or holiday programmes. Some early years settings also ask for a deposit. Because preschool pricing is quoted in several ways, from monthly to termly to annual, our fee calculator helps convert a quote into a like for like annual figure you can weigh against other Ho Chi Minh City nurseries.
Admissions
Sakura takes children from around 15 months, and as an early years setting it can usually accept enrolments through the year wherever a place is free in the relevant age group, which suits families arriving in Vietnam off the standard cycle. There is no academic entrance test at this age. Instead the school will want to understand a child's age, any prior care or schooling and any particular needs, and most settings encourage a visit or trial session so both the family and the staff can see how the child settles.
Places in the most popular age groups and at convenient hours can fill, so it is worth contacting the campus early if you have a fixed move date or want a specific full day place. Ask about the daily routine, the ratio of adults to children, whether teachers hold a recognised Montessori qualification and how the bilingual day is structured, since these are the details that separate a genuine Montessori programme from a setting that uses the name loosely.
Location and who goes there
The Ho Chi Minh City campus is in An Phu, part of Thu Duc City on the eastern bank of the Saigon River. An Phu adjoins Thao Dien, the district that has become the main hub of expatriate family life in the city, with international restaurants, supermarkets and a cluster of schools and family housing. For a family living in this part of the city the commute to Sakura is short, which matters a great deal with very young children.
The intake reflects the area: a mix of expatriate families on assignment, returning Vietnamese families who want a bilingual start, and local families drawn to the Montessori approach. Because it is a preschool, the community turns over as children move on to primary school, so parents should think early about the next step. For how An Phu and Thao Dien compare with the central and southern districts on housing, commute and the full school landscape, the Ho Chi Minh City hub and our roundup of Montessori schools in Ho Chi Minh City map out the wider picture for relocating parents.
Sakura Montessori 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 Sakura Montessori International School, please share it through our school reviews hub to help other relocating parents.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Sakura Montessori International School fees?
As a bilingual Montessori preschool, Sakura sits in the lower to middle part of the Ho Chi Minh City early years range rather than the premium tier of the large K to 12 international schools. Fees vary by programme and hours, so confirm the current schedule with the An Phu campus and budget for a registration fee, meals and any optional sessions on top.
What ages does Sakura Montessori International School take?
The school is an early years setting, taking children from around 15 months to 6 years across mixed age Montessori classes for toddlers and for the 3 to 6 group, so a child usually moves on to a primary school afterwards.
What method does Sakura Montessori International School use?
Sakura applies the Montessori method, with prepared classrooms, mixed age groups and child led work using Montessori materials, delivered bilingually in English and Vietnamese. Parents wanting the philosophy explained can read our Montessori curriculum guide.
Where is Sakura Montessori International School in Ho Chi Minh City?
The Ho Chi Minh City campus is in An Phu, in Thu Duc City on the eastern side of the river, an area popular with expatriate families and within reach of the Thao Dien international school cluster.
Is Sakura Montessori International School a good school?
Sakura is an established bilingual Montessori provider with several campuses across Vietnam and a presence in Ho Chi Minh City. As an independent guide we do not rank schools or take payment to feature them, so we suggest a visit to see the classrooms and confirm staff Montessori training before deciding.
