Foreign families relocating to Vietnam overwhelmingly choose international schools over the public system, since Vietnamese public schools teach in Vietnamese and generally do not enroll foreign children as a matter of course. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi both have a deep bench of internationally accredited schools (British, American, IB, French, and other curricula), while Da Nang and smaller cities have far fewer options, which meaningfully affects where families with school-age children choose to settle.
International school admission and tuition deposits often need to be arranged months before a physical move, and the best schools in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi can have waiting lists for popular grade levels — families should start the school search well before finalizing an employment contract's start date.
Key Facts
Ho Chi Minh City has the widest range of accredited international schools, including British International School HCMC, International School HCMC (ISHCMC), Australian International School, and the American School of Vietnam, among others, spanning British, American, IB, and Australian curricula.
Hanoi has a strong international school sector too, including British International School Hanoi, UNIS Hanoi (IB), Hanoi International School, and Concordia International School, among others.
Da Nang and smaller cities have a much thinner selection of international schools, which is a major factor for families deciding between career-hub cities and lifestyle-focused smaller cities.
International school tuition typically ranges from roughly USD 10,000-25,000+ per child per year depending on the school's prestige/curriculum, plus enrollment/capital fees that can add thousands more upfront.
Some employers include international school tuition as part of an expat compensation package — worth negotiating explicitly given how large a share of the family budget it represents.
Higher education: Vietnam has a growing number of local universities offering some English-taught programs, plus branch campuses/partnerships with foreign universities (e.g., RMIT Vietnam), though most expat families with children stay through K-12 rather than pursuing local tertiary education.
Steps
Research schools before finalizing your move city — If relocating with children, confirm which cities have accredited international schools matching your preferred curriculum before committing to a specific city or neighborhood.
Apply early and budget for admission/capital fees — Popular schools in HCMC and Hanoi can have waitlists for certain grades — start applications several months ahead, and budget for one-time enrollment/capital fees on top of annual tuition.
Negotiate school fees into your employment package — If relocating for work, discuss whether your employer will contribute to or fully cover international school tuition, since this is a common and substantial component of expat packages in Vietnam.
Consider proximity when choosing housing — International schools are often located outside the main expat residential districts — factor school commute time into your housing choice, since Vietnamese city traffic can make even short distances slow.
Costs
International school tuition (per child, per year): USD 10,000-25,000+
One-time enrollment/capital fee: USD 1,000-10,000+ depending on school
Timelines
Recommended school application lead time: 3-6+ months before intended start date
Required Documents
Child's passport and visa/dependent visa
Previous school transcripts/records
Immunization records
School application and enrollment fee payment
Common Mistakes
Waiting until arrival in Vietnam to start the school application process, missing waitlist windows at popular schools.
Not budgeting for one-time capital/enrollment fees on top of the advertised annual tuition.
Choosing a home location without checking commute time to the target school, given Vietnamese urban traffic conditions.
Assuming Da Nang or smaller cities have comparable international school options to Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi.