At a glance
Vietnam Finland International School was established under a 2016 decision by the Ho Chi Minh City authorities and welcomed its first students in August 2019. It is run on a non profit basis and sits within Ton Duc Thang University, which makes it unusual in the city: most private international schools operate as standalone businesses, while VFIS draws on a university campus and its facilities. The school builds its teaching on the Finnish National Core Curriculum, an approach known for balancing wellbeing with strong outcomes, and layers on the globally recognised International Baccalaureate. You can set it against the wider market of international schools in Ho Chi Minh City through our city hub.
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and exam boards | Finnish National Core Curriculum; International Baccalaureate; bilingual Finnish and Vietnamese pathway |
| Stages | Grade 1 to Grade 12, co educational |
| Founded | Established 2016; opened to students August 2019 |
| Accreditation | Authorised International Baccalaureate World School; recognised as a Finnish oriented school; part of Ton Duc Thang University |
| Fee band | School quotes current schedule (see the HCMC fees guide) |
| Campus area | District 7, Ho Chi Minh City |
Curriculum and academics
VFIS offers two routes from Grade 1 upwards. The international programme is built on the Finnish National Core Curriculum, which emphasises enquiry, wellbeing and a lighter homework load than many competing systems, while still aiming for strong literacy and numeracy. Alongside it runs a bilingual pathway that combines Finnish and Vietnamese requirements for families who want their children to keep a firm grasp of the national curriculum. At senior level the school is authorised to deliver the International Baccalaureate, giving students a globally portable qualification that is well understood by universities in Europe, North America and Asia. The Nordic model tends to suit families who value a broad, less pressured education, though parents should ask VFIS directly for its most recent examination outcomes and university destinations to judge academic results for themselves.
Vietnam Finland International School fees
Vietnam Finland International School quotes its current tuition schedule to applicants and revises it each year, so rather than invent a single figure we point you to the school for the exact numbers and describe how the costs are built. As a non profit attached to a public university, its pricing is set to cover running costs rather than return a profit, which families often read as competitive for a school offering both a Finnish programme and the IB. You can sense check the level against our guide to international school fees in Ho Chi Minh City and the HCMC secondary fees and HCMC primary fees breakdowns. Beyond tuition, budget for an application fee, a place deposit, examination entry in the senior years, meals, uniform and optional transport. Ask the admissions office about instalment plans and any sibling arrangements.
Not sure which Ho Chi Minh City school suits your child?
Take our 5 minute school finder quiz. We shortlist three Ho Chi Minh City schools based on your child's age, target curriculum and your budget. Free, no obligation.
Admissions
Admission runs across an academic year that starts in August, with places confirmed subject to assessment and availability. Families begin with an application and an assessment that looks at prior school reports and, where a child is new to English, their language readiness. Senior applicants joining the IB years will discuss prior grades and subject choices, so it helps to gather recent reports and any examination certificates in advance. The school charges an application fee at the point of applying, which differs for primary and for secondary and high school entry, and confirms tuition and deposit terms once a place is offered. Families relocating to the southern districts should arrange senior entry ahead of the August intake, while younger year groups can often be considered for mid year arrivals subject to space. Confirm visa and documentation requirements with the school directly.
Location and who goes there
VFIS sits on the Ton Duc Thang University campus at 19 Nguyen Huu Tho Street in District 7, on the southern side of Ho Chi Minh City and close to the planned Phu My Hung area that many expatriate and professional families choose for its housing, green space and cluster of international schools. Sharing a university campus gives the school access to sizeable sports, library and laboratory facilities that a standalone school of its size might not have. It draws a mix of Vietnamese families who want a Finnish and IB education and international families settling on the southern side of the city. For the wider picture of where families live and which schools cluster in each district, return to the Ho Chi Minh City hub or compare nearby options such as the 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 they are verified. If your child attends or has attended Vietnam Finland International School, you can submit a review to help other relocating families. We never display a star rating without real, checked reviews behind it.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Vietnam Finland International School fees?
VFIS quotes its current tuition schedule to applicants and revises it each year, so we describe the band rather than publish a fixed figure. Beyond tuition, budget for an application fee, a place deposit, examination entry in the senior years, meals, uniform and optional transport.
Is Vietnam Finland International School a good school?
VFIS is a non profit school affiliated with Ton Duc Thang University and an authorised International Baccalaureate World School with a Finnish inspired programme. Whether it suits your child depends on budget, location and your preference for a Finnish and IB pathway.
What curriculum does Vietnam Finland International School follow?
VFIS runs an international programme built on the Finnish National Core Curriculum alongside a bilingual Finnish and Vietnamese pathway, and is authorised to offer the International Baccalaureate from Grade 1 to Grade 12.
When do Vietnam Finland International School applications open?
Admission is rolling across the academic year, which starts in August, with places confirmed subject to assessment and availability. Senior entry is best arranged ahead of the August intake.
Where is Vietnam Finland International School located?
VFIS sits on the Ton Duc Thang University campus at 19 Nguyen Huu Tho Street in District 7, on the southern side of Ho Chi Minh City near the Phu My Hung area.
