Good to know
Good to Know
- Published tuition figures almost always exclude extras like school buses, meals, uniforms, technology fees, and one-off application/enrolment/development fees, which can add several million VND per year.
- Foreign/expat children enrolled in international or foreign-invested schools in Vietnam do not qualify for the free-tuition policy that applies to public and select Vietnamese-curriculum private schools.
- Sibling discounts (often 10–20% from the second or third child) and early full-year-payment discounts (10–15%) are common across Hanoi's international schools — worth asking about even if not advertised.
- Top-tier schools (UNIS, BIS, Dwight, Brighton College) in Hanoi can rival or exceed VND 1 billion a year for senior grades, while community/bilingual schools (JIS, True North's Vietnamese track, Hanoi Academy) offer far lower-cost entry points into an international-style education.
- Waiting lists exist at the most popular schools, and 6–12 months' advance registration is commonly recommended, especially for family placements in central districts like Ba Đình and Hoàn Kiếm or the Tây Hồ/Ciputra expat area.
- Because tuition is set in Vietnamese dong, the USD cost you actually pay will shift somewhat with the VND/USD exchange rate over a multi-year enrollment.
- If you want a specific school for an August start, treat October–February of the prior year as the real application window even though most schools technically accept applications year-round — popular schools and grades fill from that first wave.
- A signed 'offer of placement' from a school is not the same as being enrolled — there are further steps (documents, fees, sometimes a contract) after the offer before your child actually has a confirmed seat, so don't stop planning backups until that's done.
- If your child needs English-language (EAL) or learning support, ask directly and early about capacity — some Hanoi international schools cap these seats separately from general admission, so a strong application can still be waitlisted if that specific quota is full.
- Budget beyond tuition: a one-off enrollment fee (roughly 2,000–5,000 USD equivalent) plus bus transport, uniforms, and exam fees are common add-ons that can push costs 10–20% above the sticker tuition price.
- Homeschooling is not a legally recognized schooling option in Vietnam — there's no penalty regime, but a homeschooled child isn't counted as 'enrolled' in the formal system, which can complicate transcripts later. There is also no documented, established Hanoi-specific homeschool co-op we could verify, unlike some other regional expat hubs.
Schools And Curricula
- Overview
- Hanoi has more than a dozen named international and bilingual schools, spanning IB, British (National Curriculum/IGCSE/A-Level), American (AP/WASC), Japanese, Singapore, and Vietnamese-bilingual pathways. Annual tuition (usually for a 10-month academic year, excluding meals, buses, uniforms and one-off registration fees) ranges from roughly VND 100 million at the low end to over VND 1 billion at the top end for senior grades.
Schools
United Nations International School of Hanoi (UNIS Hanoi)
- Curriculum
- Full IB continuum — PYP, MYP, and Diploma Programme
- Tuition Low
- ₫789,000,000
- Neighborhood
- Ciputra, Tay Ho District
- Tuition High
- ₫1,050,000,000
- Notes
- UNIS Hanoi is a not-for-profit, co-educational IB World School in Tây Hồ's Ciputra development, serving students from age 3 to Grade 12, delivering the full International Baccalaureate continuum with English as the language of instruction.
- Tuition Note
- The United Nations International School of Hanoi charges the highest fees in the city, at VND 1.05 billion for grades 11 and 12.
British International School, Hanoi (BIS Hanoi)
- Curriculum
- English Early Years Foundation Stage + National Curriculum for England, progressing to Cambridge IGCSE and IB Diploma Programme
- Tuition Low
- ₫450,000,000
- Neighborhood
- Vinhomes Riverside, Long Bien District
- Notes
- BIS Hanoi is a co-educational day school for ages 2–18 where children follow the English Early Years Foundation Stage and National Curriculum for England, progressing to Cambridge IGCSEs and the IB Diploma Programme, and is affiliated with Nord Anglia Education.
- Tuition Note
- Grouped with UNIS as Hanoi's top-tier, premium-fee schools; exact published figures were not available in sources checked, but Year 7 fees are documented as exceeding VND 450 million.
Hanoi International School (HIS)
- Curriculum
- International curriculum (specific national accreditation not detailed in sources found); small community school
- Tuition Low
- ₫418,400,000
- Neighborhood
- Central Hanoi
- Tuition High
- ₫767,000,000
- Notes
- HIS lists tuition from VND 418.4 million (PreK/K) to VND 767 million (G11–12), with a community of around 300 students offering a small-school feel within central Hanoi.
Concordia International School Hanoi
- Curriculum
- American (Advanced Placement, WASC-accredited)
- Tuition Low
- ₫394,500,000
- Neighborhood
- Ba Dinh District
- Tuition High
- ₫578,600,000
- Notes
- Concordia is Hanoi's leading American curriculum school, accredited by WASC and offering AP courses in upper school, popular with families targeting US college admissions.
British Vietnamese International School (BVIS Hanoi)
- Curriculum
- British (IGCSE + A-Level)
- Tuition Low
- ₫263,000,000
- Neighborhood
- Multiple campuses across Hanoi
- Tuition High
- ₫526,000,000
- Notes
- BVIS offers British curriculum at a more accessible price point than BIS, with multiple campuses and Nord Anglia affiliation giving access to enrichment programmes.
Hanoi Academy
- Curriculum
- Bilingual — Vietnamese Ministry of Education curriculum integrated with a British-based international curriculum; official Edexcel exam centre; also cited as offering the IB Diploma at a lower price point than UNIS
- Tuition Low
- ₫260,000,000
- Neighborhood
- Ciputra, Tay Ho District
- Notes
- Hanoi Academy develops an international curriculum based on the UK's copyrighted curriculum and is an official Edexcel testing centre; a 2026 comparison also cites it as offering full IB at fees below UNIS.
- Tuition Note
- This average figure is from an older (2022) source and is likely understated for the current academic year — confirm directly with the school.
Dwight School Hanoi
- Curriculum
- International Baccalaureate (IB)
- Tuition Low
- ₫360,000,000
- Neighborhood
- Hanoi (exact district not specified in sources found)
- Tuition High
- ₫1,000,000,000
- Notes
- Dwight School Hanoi charges more than VND 1 billion for some secondary grades, with primary tuition above VND 825 million and kindergarten starting at VND 360 million; both Dwight and UNIS Hanoi follow the IB programme.
Brighton College Vietnam (Hanoi)
- Curriculum
- International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme
- Tuition Low
- ₫736,000,000
- Neighborhood
- Hanoi (exact district not specified in sources found)
- Tuition High
- ₫997,900,000
- Notes
- Brighton College Vietnam charges VND 997.9 million for its IB Diploma programme, and has some of the highest kindergarten fees in the city, reaching nearly VND 736 million a year.
Japanese International School (JIS) Hanoi
- Curriculum
- Blend of the Japanese national curriculum with the Cambridge International Programme (IEYC, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge AS/A Level)
- Tuition Low
- ₫100,000,000
- Neighborhood
- Hanoi (exact district not specified in sources found)
- Tuition High
- ₫115,000,000
- Notes
- JIS was founded in 2016 and provides pathways through the Japanese Curriculum, IEYC, Cambridge IGCSE, and AS/A Level; it has the lowest fees among Hanoi's tracked international schools, charging VND 100 million for primary, VND 105 million for lower secondary, and VND 115 million for upper secondary.
True North International School
- Curriculum
- Dual-track: Vietnamese national curriculum track, and a separate international track
- Tuition Low
- ₫200,000,000
- Neighborhood
- Hanoi (exact district not specified in sources found)
- Tuition High
- ₫650,000,000
- Notes
- True North is the only school in its comparison group offering a track based on Vietnam's national curriculum, with tuition of VND 200–290 million, while its international track costs VND 500–650 million.
The Olympia Schools
- Curriculum
- Vietnamese national curriculum supplemented with international elements; authorised IB Diploma Programme provider since 2022
- Neighborhood
- Trung Van, Nam Tu Liem District
- Notes
- Founded in 2003, Olympia offers a Vietnamese national curriculum supplemented with international elements, and since 2022 has been authorised to deliver the IB Diploma Programme for upper-secondary students, with teaching in both Vietnamese and English.
- Tuition Note
- Published tuition figures were not found in sources checked; contact the school directly.
Vietnam-Australia School (VAS) Hanoi
- Curriculum
- British and Vietnamese bilingual — Ministry of Education and Training curriculum integrated with the Cambridge International Programme
- Neighborhood
- Hanoi (multiple campuses)
- Notes
- VAS Hanoi implements the Ministry of Education and Training curriculum integrated with the Cambridge international programme, and was one of the first two schools in Hanoi recognised as a Cambridge International School in 2013.
- Tuition Note
- Exact tuition figures were not confirmed in sources checked; the school offers family/sibling bursaries.
Singapore International School @ Gamuda Gardens (SIS Gamuda Gardens)
- Curriculum
- Blend of Singapore and Cambridge curricula
- Tuition Low
- ₫315,000,000
- Neighborhood
- Gamuda Gardens, Hoang Mai District
- Notes
- SIS Gamuda Gardens is an international day school in Hanoi's Hoang Mai District within the Gamuda Gardens housing estate, accommodating students from Pre-Nursery through Year 12 with a blend of Singapore and Cambridge curricula.
- Tuition Note
- This average figure is from an older source and likely understated for the current year — confirm directly with the school.
International School ParkCity Hanoi (ISPH)
- Curriculum
- International/British-style curriculum framework (specific exam-board accreditation not clearly confirmed in sources found)
- Tuition Low
- ₫347,400,000
- Neighborhood
- ParkCity Hanoi urban area
- Tuition High
- ₫489,900,000
- Notes
- ISPH offers a comprehensive learning programme for students aged 3 to 18, part of the same school group as ParkCity Kuala Lumpur International School.
Sakura Montessori International Kindergarten (SMIS)
- Curriculum
- Montessori Method blended with English, Vietnamese, Art/Literature, Music, and Physical curricula; Standard, Bilingual, and International Adventure tracks
- Tuition Low
- ₫4,500,000
- Neighborhood
- Multiple campuses across Hanoi
- Tuition High
- ₫18,000,000
- Notes
- SMIS operates across Hanoi and other cities, offering Standard, Bilingual, and International Adventure programs for children from roughly 12 months up to 6 years old, with tuition charged monthly ranging from about VND 4.5 million to VND 18 million per month.
- Tuition Note
- Monthly fee (early-years only, not an annual figure like the other schools listed).
Application Timeline
- Summary
- For an August intake, most Hanoi international/bilingual schools run their main application window from roughly October to February of the preceding academic year, but rolling admissions continue all year because of high expat turnover.
Details
- For an August 2026 start, the typical timeline is October 2025 to January 2026 for applications, school visits, and family interviews, according to a 2026 expat-family guide to Hanoi international schools.
- One admissions guide states the main intake for August 2026 runs from October 2025 to February 2026.
- Mid-year entry is common in Hanoi as expat families rotate frequently, and most schools take applications all year for places that open up.
- For sought-after schools such as UNIS Hanoi and BIS Hanoi, one schools-comparison source advises applying 12 to 18 months in advance for popular year groups because of existing waitlists.
- Hanoi International School describes itself as operating rolling admissions, so applications or inquiries can be made at any time during the year, while still recommending applying and interviewing as early as possible to reserve a place.
Typical Enrollment Fees
- Other Add On Costs
- Beyond the enrollment fee, families should budget for an annual capital levy at some schools, school bus transport (roughly 1,500–3,500 USD per year depending on zone), lunch, uniforms, and exam fees in IGCSE/IB/AP years — capital levies, transport, and exam fees together can add roughly 10 to 20 percent on top of tuition.
One Off Enrollment Fee
- Range Low
- ₫52,600,000
- Range High
- ₫131,500,000
- Description
- One-off, non-recurring enrollment/registration fee charged on top of tuition at most Hanoi international schools, in addition to annual tuition.
- Note On Conversion
- Hanoi international schools typically quote and bill fees in USD; VND figures here are converted at an approximate current exchange rate and will fluctuate with the dong.
Homeschooling Legal Status
- Summary
- Homeschooling has no formal legal status under Vietnamese education law and is not recognized as satisfying compulsory schooling.
- Classification
- illegal
Details
- Homeschooling is not officially recognized in Vietnam, and all children are expected to attend a public or private school as part of the national compulsory education program, per a Vietnam-focused education-law overview citing the Education Law of 2019.
- A legal-services summary on schooling options for foreign children in Vietnam states plainly that homeschooling is currently not officially recognized as a legal form of education in the country, and that obtaining official academic credentials for homeschooled students can be difficult as a result.
- There are no clear-cut regulations specifically addressing homeschooling in Vietnam, leaving its legality somewhat ambiguous rather than either explicitly permitted or explicitly criminalized — families are advised to consult their embassy or consulate for guidance specific to their situation.
- In practical terms, families that homeschool are not treated as truant/criminal cases with penalties, but the children are not counted as enrolled students in the formal system, which can complicate obtaining official transcripts or progressing into Vietnamese higher education.
Waitlist Reality
Waitlist Reality
- Placement at HIS is subject to availability in the desired grade at time of application, and if a class is at capacity, applicants are placed on a waiting list — with the school explicitly stating that waitlist position is not necessarily a function of how long a child will wait, and a place on the list does not guarantee eventual placement.
- UNIS Hanoi says it values diversity and balance across nationalities, and that placement depends on available seats, academic background, and English-language needs — meaning a technically 'qualified' applicant can still be waitlisted if the nationality or English-support mix for that grade is already full.
- UNIS Hanoi explicitly maintains nationality, English as an Additional Language (EAL), and learning-support capacity limits across the school, so families with EAL needs should expect a narrower set of available seats and check current wait-pool status directly with admissions before applying.
- Popular schools like UNIS and BIS are described as having waitlists, with outside advisors recommending application 12–18 months ahead for competitive year groups.
Required Documents
Required Documents
- Required documents usually include the last two years of school reports, a head-teacher/current-school reference, passports, and residence card or work-permit progress (or evidence it is underway).
- For upper-secondary entry, predicted IGCSE or MYP grades are often requested.
- UNIS Hanoi's admissions process requires parents to prepare supporting documents and strongly encourages contacting the admissions team directly beforehand to understand priority lanes, seat availability, and the current wait pool.
- At Hanoi International School (HIS), an accepted offer of placement is explicitly not the same as enrollment — enrollment requires a separate, further set of steps after the offer is signed by the Principal.
Homeschooling Community Hanoi
- Detail
- Unlike some other Southeast Asian expat hubs (e.g. Chiang Mai or Singapore, which have named, citable homeschool co-ops), no equivalent named, verifiable Hanoi homeschool co-op turned up in search. General Hanoi expat Facebook groups exist for broader expat-life networking, but these are not homeschool-specific communities, so we are not presenting them as one.
- Summary
- We could not find a documented, currently-active homeschool co-op or formal homeschool support organization specific to Hanoi.
- Dedicated Coop Exists
- No
- Practical Alternative
- Because homeschooling isn't legally recognized, some foreign families in Vietnam instead use an international school's own registered status as the 'school of record' while supplementing at home, or enroll in an accredited international distance/online school — but whether that satisfies compulsory-schooling expectations should be checked with your own embassy and the specific school.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
This section has no cited sources.
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Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.