Australian International School Saigon - Thao Dien Campus vs Saigon South International School (SSIS)
Australian International School Saigon - Thao Dien Campus and Saigon South International School (SSIS) are both in Ho Chi Minh City, about 10 km apart. Both schools offer IB programmes. Australian International School Saigon - Thao Dien Campus also offers Cambridge (Primary) and Reggio Emilia, and Saigon South International School (SSIS) also offers Advanced Placement (AP), American and Bespoke. Published annual fees are ₫295,600,000 - 693,000,000 at Australian International School Saigon - Thao Dien Campus and ₫479,212,000 - 882,200,000 at Saigon South International School (SSIS), which puts Saigon South International School (SSIS) roughly 38% higher. Australian International School Saigon - Thao Dien Campus takes pupils from 1.5 to 11, and Saigon South International School (SSIS) from 3 to 18. The two are similar in size, at around 1,300 and 1,500 pupils. Typical class sizes are 19 at Australian International School Saigon - Thao Dien Campus and 14 at Saigon South International School (SSIS).
IB (PYP), Cambridge (Primary), Reggio Emilia Approach
Curriculum
IB (DP), Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
1,300
Pupils
1,500
Typical class size
Typical class size
19
Typical class size
14
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
2006
Opened
1997
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
AIS Thao Dien is located within the An Phu Superior Compound (APSC) at 36 Thao Dien Road, Thu Duc City (formerly District 2), Ho Chi Minh City. The Thao Dien area is a well-established residential neighbourhood known for its international community, cafés, and family-friendly amenities. The campus is approximately 15 minutes from the city centre and easily accessible via major roads and school transport links.
Location
SSIS is located at 78 Nguyen Duc Canh, Tân Hưng Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The campus is in the Phú Mỹ Hưng residential zone, a well-planned neighbourhood with lakes, green spaces and local amenities, and is approximately 20 minutes by car from the city centre.
Stages
Stages
The Thao Dien campus provides education for Early Years and Primary students, from Infant Kindergarten (age 1.5) through Year 6 (age 10–11). It includes two nearby sites: Lotus (Kindergarten) and Cherry Blossom (Primary), both within walking distance of each other. Students progress to the Thu Thiem campus for Secondary and Senior School.
Stages
The school serves Early Childhood (starting at age 3) through to Grade 12. It is organised into divisions encompassing Early Years/Kindergarten, Elementary (Grades 1–5), Middle School (Grades 6–8) and High School (Grades 9–12).
School type
School type
AIS Thao Dien is a co-educational international day school that welcomes both local and expatriate students.
School type
SSIS is a co-educational day school.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
—
Pupil nationality mix
—
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
AIS provides individualised support for students with additional learning needs through its Student Support Services team. This includes assistance for mild to moderate Special Educational Needs (SEN) and tailored English as an Additional Language (EAL) programmes. Support is designed to help each student access the curriculum successfully.
Additional learning support
The school offers Learning Support services for students with mild to moderate learning differences, working with parents and teachers to develop individual learning plans. It also offers English as an Additional Language (EAL) support for multilingual learners.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school follows an Australian educational philosophy and is part of the Inspired Education Group, an international network of schools.
Country affiliation
There is no formal affiliation to a particular national government. SSIS operates as a not-for-profit international school based in Vietnam, following an American standards-based curriculum.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
The school does not have any religious affiliations.
Religious affiliation
The school has no religious affiliations.
School day structure
School day structure
Classes begin at 8:00 am and finish at 2:40 pm, with breaks for morning recess and lunch. After-school activities take place between 2:50 pm and 3:50 pm, providing additional opportunities in sports, arts, and clubs.
School day structure
Specific published times are not detailed on the school's website.
Bus service details
Bus service details
AIS offers a supervised school bus service that connects Thao Dien with other districts in Ho Chi Minh City. Routes are organised by distance, and each bus includes a licensed driver and an onboard assistant. The service operates five days a week, with options for both one-way and return travel, ensuring safe and reliable transport for students.
Bus service details
SSIS provides a bus service for students. Each bus has an assigned monitor to ensure students board and alight safely. For after-school activities (ASAs), special bus departures are scheduled (for example at 4:10 pm and 4:40 pm) with an extra charge for ASA-only riders.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application Fee A one-time, non-refundable fee of VND 3,500,000 is required at the time of application.
Acceptance Fee
* Kindergarten (Infant–Senior):VND 32,000,000, with an additional VND 32,000,000 due when progressing to Year 1. * Primary (Years 1–6):VND 64,000,000.
Tuition Fees (per year)
* Infant Kindergarten: VND 295,600,000 * Junior Kindergarten: VND 302,100,000 * Senior Kindergarten: VND 305,400,000 * Year 1: VND 566,000,000 * Year 2: VND 619,300,000 * Year 3: VND 631,400,000 * Year 4: VND 640,000,000 * Year 5: VND 647,500,000 * Year 6: VND 653,800,000
Payment Options Families can pay fees in one annual payment or through two or four instalments. Discounts are offered for full annual payment and early settlement.
Bus Service Fees (per year) Annual bus fees vary depending on distance, ranging from approximately VND 13,000,000 to VND 54,000,000 for one-way or return services.
Other Costs Additional expenses include uniforms, lunches, optional after-school activities, and school supplies.
Refund Policy Tuition fee refunds are calculated on a decreasing scale based on the student’s withdrawal date, with the highest refund before the start of the school year and none after the final term begins.
Payment Methods Fees may be paid by bank transfer or credit card, in VND or USD, using the exchange rate set by the school’s designated banks.
Fee details
* Application Fee: VND 10,000,000 (one-time, non-refundable, per new student). * Registration Fee: VND 60,000,000 (one-time, non-refundable, per new student, also applies to returning students re-enrolling after one or more years).
Enrollment Deposit
* Deposit: VND 45,000,000. * Payable upon signing the Letter of Acceptance (new students). * Deducted from the tuition invoice (from full payment or Q4 installment). * Refundable if a Departure Notice is given at least 60 days before leaving.
* Quarterly Installments: All installments are non-refundable. * Late enrollment: Tuition charged pro-rata (100%, 85%, 60%, 35% depending on entry quarter). * Refunds: Departure > 60 days = partial refund based on quarter (60% in Q1 → 0% in Q4). * Sibling Discount: 20% for third and subsequent children in the same family.
Other Costs Families cover uniforms, lunches, personal supplies, AP & IB exam fees, extracurriculars (athletics, VEX Robotics, debate, performing arts), and bus transport. Students in Grades 4–12 must bring a MacBook.
Payment Options Payments can be made via Vietcombank (Nam Sai Gon Branch) or Standard Chartered Bank (Vietnam) in VND or USD. All bank charges are borne by the payer, and an exchange rate applies to foreign currency transfers.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
—
Boarding arrangements
—
Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
—
Uniform requirement
—
Food options
Food options
—
Food options
—
House system
House system
—
House system
—
Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
—
Governance and ownership
—
Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
The Australian International School (AIS) Thao Dien offers an internationally recognised curriculum for students from Infant Kindergarten to Year 6. Teaching in the Early Years is based on the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) framework, which encourages inquiry and hands-on exploration across all areas of learning. In the Primary School, students continue within the PYP while also following the Cambridge Primary curriculum for English, Mathematics, and Science, ensuring strong foundations in literacy and numeracy. Additional subjects include Social Studies, Vietnamese Language and Culture, Music, Visual Arts, Physical Education, and Technology. Lessons are delivered in English, with Vietnamese offered for both native and non-native speakers. On completion of Year 6, students transition to the Thu Thiem campus for Cambridge Lower Secondary, IGCSE, and the IB Diploma Programme.
Curriculum details
Teaching and learning at SSIS follow an American-standards based framework across Early Childhood through Grade 12, emphasising inquiry, student engagement and critical thinking. In the Elementary School, a written curriculum provides integrated “Super Units” that connect subjects such as English, Maths, Science, Social Studies, Arts and Vietnamese, while specialist teachers support subjects like Visual Art, Drama, Music and Physical Education. In Middle School, students move into discipline-based classes, expanding their study of modern world languages, mathematics, science and humanities. In High School (Grades 9-12), students can pursue the high school diploma pathway with a choice of Advanced Placement (AP) courses or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) alongside the SSIS Diploma. The program of studies shows that students earn credits by subject area and can select pathways that match their future study plans.
1. Enquiry and School Tour Families begin the process by completing an online enquiry form or arranging a personal tour of the Thao Dien campus. The Admissions Team provides information about the Early Years and Primary programmes, facilities, and available year groups.
2. Application Submission Parents submit the Application Form along with copies of the child’s birth certificate or passport, recent school reports (if applicable), and any relevant health or learning support documents. A non-refundable Application Fee of VND 3,500,000 is payable at this stage.
3. Assessment and Interview Younger children may be observed during a play-based session, while older applicants might take a short academic assessment. The school may invite families to meet with the Principal or Admissions staff to ensure the programme is a good fit for the child’s needs.
4. Offer and Acceptance Successful applicants receive a Letter of Offer confirming the year group and start date. A place is secured once parents sign the Enrolment Agreement and pay the Acceptance Fee.
5. Orientation and Start of School Families receive details about class placement, uniforms, and transport. Orientation activities help new students and parents become familiar with daily routines and teachers before school begins.
Admissions
1. Inquiry and Application Submission Families begin by completing the online application form and uploading all required documents. An application fee of VND 10,000,000 is payable at this stage. Applicants in Early Childhood to Kindergarten complete a developmental observation, while Grades 1–12 complete written assessments in English and mathematics.
2. Assessment and Interview Following the initial review, students may be invited for additional testing or an interview to determine English proficiency and overall readiness. The Admissions Office evaluates prior school records, assessment results, and whether the school can meet the student’s learning needs.
3. Decision and Offer After review, applicants may receive an offer of admission, be placed on the waiting list, or be declined. Accepted families receive a formal Letter of Acceptance, which must be signed and returned along with a completed health form.
4. Payment and Enrollment To secure a place, families must pay the required enrollment deposit and tuition (or first installment) by the due dates listed in the fee schedule. All payments must be completed before the student’s first day of class.
5. Orientation and Start New students and parents are invited to attend orientation sessions before the start of the academic year in August. Middle and High School students also meet with a counselor to confirm course selections and discuss academic planning.
6. Rolling Admissions Applications are accepted year-round, although placement is based on space availability. Families seeking entry in August are encouraged to begin the process by January of the same calendar year.
Scholarships
Scholarships
AIS scholarships apply only to students entering Years 7–12, which are offered at the Thu Thiem campus. The Thao Dien campus (Early Years to Year 6) does not offer scholarships.
Scholarships
SSIS offers the annual Lawrence S. Ting Scholarship for one Vietnamese student entering Grade 10 who has only attended local Vietnamese schools. The scholarship is renewable for up to three years, is awarded on the basis of academic excellence, English proficiency, interest in global/international affairs and service to others. The application timeline begins in December and features a written test, group discussion and interview rounds, with winners announced in May.
Waitlist
Waitlist
AIS operates a rolling admissions process throughout the year, depending on availability in each year group. The school does not publish details of a formal waitlist or pool system.
Waitlist
SSIS operates a wait-pool (waiting list) system. Qualified applicants whose grade level is full are placed on the waiting list until space becomes available. Admission thereafter depends on space and on the candidate meeting requirements.
