Types of school
| Type | Language and programme | May suit |
|---|---|---|
| Local school | Vietnamese national curriculum, mainly taught in Vietnamese | Families planning longer-term local integration |
| Bilingual school | Vietnamese curriculum with an additional language component | Families balancing local and international study |
| International school | School-specific IB, British, American or other curriculum | Families who may move between countries |
| Kindergarten or preschool | Play-based, language or school-preparation programmes | Pre-school children |
Published Hanoi tuition examples for 2026-27
Examples from official school fee pages: BVIS Hanoi lists annual fees of 261,800,000 VND for Foundation F1-F2 and 480,400,000 VND for Year 1. Westlink lists 404,000,000 VND for Early Years PYP ages 4-5 with full payment. Concordia lists 558,034,000 VND for Preschool and 861,787,000 VND for Grades 1-5. These are different programmes and fee structures. BVIS also lists a registration fee of 70,800,000 VND for Primary and Secondary, or 23,600,000 VND for Early Years, plus a refundable 35,400,000 VND security deposit with 90 days written notice. Westlink lists extra charges of 2,500,000 VND for a placement test, 21,000,000 VND for an enrolment application and a 55,000,000 VND “guaranteed fee”. Ask the school to explain what the last fee covers and whether it is refundable before paying. Compare current schedules directly.
What the total school budget includes
- Tuition by grade and payment term.
- Application and enrolment fees, which may be non-refundable.
- Bus transport, meals, uniforms, books and devices.
- School trips, activities, exams and after-school care.
- Deposit and payment deadlines, plus refund terms.
Documents and admissions
- Ask admissions whether the school has a place in the child's year group.
- Request the application checklist and deadline in writing.
- Prepare passport and immigration details, previous school reports and vaccination records.
- Ask whether documents need translation or certification and whether the child must take a placement test.
- Confirm the deposit, start date and refund rules before paying.
Choosing a kindergarten
Visit the classroom and ask about the daily schedule, teacher-to-child supervision, nap, meals, illness policy, outdoor play, language and adaptation period. Confirm opening hours, holiday closures, late-pickup rules and whether meals or transport are included in the quoted fee.
Finding schools by city
The Hanoi examples above should not be applied to other cities. Search by your expected neighbourhood, then test the commute at school start and pickup times. Ask the school about school-bus routes and waiting lists before signing a long lease.
Moving during the academic year
Ask whether the school accepts mid-year applications and how it assesses previous coursework. Request the exact start date, prorated tuition policy, payment deadline and records needed from the previous school.
Questions and answers
Are there Russian-language schools in Vietnam?
Availability varies by city and school year. Ask schools directly about Russian-language teaching or support; do not assume a school offers a full Russian curriculum.
How much does an international school cost?
The Hanoi examples listed here range from 261.8 million to over 1 billion VND per year depending on age and school. Fees are not directly comparable.
Can a child start mid-year?
Some schools consider applications during the year if a place is available. Confirm capacity and fees with admissions.
Does a student need a school visa?
Check the child's immigration status with the relevant authority. School admission does not itself grant a visa.
How do I choose a curriculum for a future move?
Compare the next destination's school requirements, language, transcript transfer and curriculum recognition.