Education and Schools in Ho Chi Minh City

Schools in Ho Chi Minh City cater to most of the expats living in Vietnam, and as a result of the city’s ever-increasing expat population, the area has seen growth in the number of private and international schools. These prestigious institutions offer an excellent quality of education and state-of-the-art facilities, which are popular with expats as well as wealthy Vietnamese locals.

Vietnam has a solid standard of education, with a literacy rate of over 95 percent. Academic achievement is something that Vietnamese society values and promotes highly.

While international schools remain the most popular option for expat parents, some choose to enrol their child at a good public school in Vietnam to save on the extremely high cost of international school fees.

Public schools in Ho Chi Minh City

While the standard of education at public schools in Ho Chi Minh City is generally quite good, your children may find the teaching methods employed in the Vietnamese public system difficult to adjust to.

Students at public schools in Vietnam are expected to study quietly and passively, which contradicts the more innovative learning methods and active class discussions recently encouraged in Western culture. Vietnamese students are often put under enormous pressure by both their families and teachers to perform well academically. Most children have extra private tuition after school.

There are, however, a growing number of schools in Ho Chi Minh City that are making a break from traditional Vietnamese methods and offering American-style learning. These more modern public schools tend to have long waiting lists.

Education and Schools in Vietnam 

International schools in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City offers expats a wide variety of international schooling options. The top international schools tend to employ native English speakers or those who have trained in the country with which the particular school is affiliated.

The major advantage of opting to send your child to an international school is that it allows them to make the transition to life in Vietnam with greater ease. International schools allow international students to continue studying the same curriculum they studied back home. Furthermore, your children are given the opportunity to interact with other children who are facing similar challenges of adjusting to life in a new country.

Most international schools in Ho Chi Minh City accept applications throughout the year to accommodate the unpredictable nature of expat placements. Be that as it may, bear in mind that places at the most popular schools fill up fast, so it’s best to begin the application process as far in advance as possible.

The application criteria for international schools vary widely. Some have entrance exams that test a child’s English and Mathematics abilities, while others require students to attend an interview before a formal offer is made.

Generally, international school fees in Ho Chi Minh City are exorbitant and increase along with the age of the student. Expat parents should also budget for the additional costs of school uniforms, excursions and stationery.

Best International Schools in Ho Chi Minh City 

Special educational needs in Ho Chi Minh City

In the past, Vietnam operated on a policy of separating students with special needs from mainstream schools. Since the early 2000s, the country has adopted a more progressive and inclusive approach to education for students with special needs, focusing on integration with mainstream schools and classes.

Along with public schools, numerous international schools in Ho Chi Minh City, including Steps Special School and International School Saigon Pearl, offer similar services, with interventions varying depending on the level of care the student needs.

Useful links

• International Association Of Special Education
• Vietnam Assistance For The Handicapped
• UNICEF Vietnam: Inclusive Education Resource Centre
• Inclusive Schools: Inclusive Education In Vietnam

Tutors in Ho Chi Minh City

After-school tutoring in Ho Chi Minh City is popular in Vietnam, with over a quarter of households making use of tutors. Education is highly valued, and students often face pressure to succeed, which has led to a booming tutoring industry.

You’ll have plenty of options to choose from for everything from subject-specific tutoring to more general language and exam preparation. The right tutor can also help your children adjust to a new curriculum, providing support as they catch up to their peers. Local tutoring companies continue to expand their services to meet growing demand.

Useful links

• TeachMe
• Tutoroo
• AmazingTalker
• Apprentus