Australian International School Saigon - Thao Dien Campus vs The American School - Ho Chi Minh City
Australian International School Saigon - Thao Dien Campus and The American School - Ho Chi Minh City are both in Ho Chi Minh City, about 3 km apart. Both schools offer IB programmes. Australian International School Saigon - Thao Dien Campus also offers Cambridge (Primary) and Reggio Emilia, and The American School - Ho Chi Minh City also offers American and Advanced Placement (AP). Published annual fees are ₫295,600,000 - 693,000,000 at Australian International School Saigon - Thao Dien Campus and ₫239,800,000 - 532,600,000 at The American School - Ho Chi Minh City, which puts Australian International School Saigon - Thao Dien Campus roughly 28% higher. Australian International School Saigon - Thao Dien Campus takes pupils from 1.5 to 11, and The American School - Ho Chi Minh City from 1 to 18. Australian International School Saigon - Thao Dien Campus is the larger school, with around 1,300 pupils to The American School - Ho Chi Minh City's 575. Typical class sizes are 19 at Australian International School Saigon - Thao Dien Campus and 15 at The American School - Ho Chi Minh City.
IB (PYP), Cambridge (Primary), Reggio Emilia Approach
Curriculum
American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP), IB (PYP), IB (DP)
Pupils
Pupils
1,300
Pupils
575
Typical class size
Typical class size
19
Typical class size
15
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
2006
Opened
2010
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
No
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
06 Song Hanh Road, Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay Freeway, Binh Trung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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
Pre-Nursery to Grade 12 (Early Childhood, Elementary School, Middle School, High School)
School type
School type
AIS Thao Dien is a co-educational international day school that welcomes both local and expatriate students.
School type
International school
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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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
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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
Vietnam
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
The school does not have any religious affiliations.
Religious affiliation
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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
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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
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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* - A non-refundable application fee of VND 5,800,000 is required at the time the application is submitted.
*Registration fee (one-time, non-refundable on acceptance)* - Pre‑Nursery, Nursery, Pre‑Kindergarten: VND 30,000,000. - Kindergarten and Grades 1–5: VND 40,000,000. - Grades 6–12: VND 55,000,000. - The Registration Fee must be paid within five working days of acceptance to guarantee a place.
*English as an Additional Language (EAL) support fees* - Primary EAL: VND 37,600,000 (Annual) / VND 21,600,000 (Semester). - Middle/High School EAL: VND 47,800,000 (Annual) / VND 23,900,000 (Semester).
*Other service fees — Bus (transport) (annual / semester / day and per-route registration fees listed)* - Route 01 (Thao Dien, An Phu, Binh An, Binh Khanh, Binh Trung Tay & Thu Thiem): Registration VND 13,900,000; Annual VND 8,200,000; Day VND 255,000. - Route 02 (District 2 other areas; District 9 Phuoc Long B, Binh Trung Dong): Registration VND 24,400,000; Annual VND 15,100,000; Day VND 355,000. - Route 03 (District 9 other areas; Binh Thanh; Thu Duc): Registration VND 33,600,000; Annual VND 18,600,000; Day VND 397,000. - Route 04 (Districts 1,3,4,5,7,8,10,11, Phu Nhuan, Tan Binh): Registration VND 37,100,000; Annual VND 20,900,000; Day VND 414,000. - Route 05 (Districts 6,12, Tan Phu, Binh Tan, Go Vap): Registration VND 41,700,000; Annual VND 23,200,000; Day VND 422,000. - Route 06 (Binh Duong, Bien Hoa, Long Thanh): Registration VND 53,100,000; Annual VND 31,900,000; Day VND 422,000. - Notes: 40% discount on annual bus service for second and subsequent children on the same family; one‑way service charged at 70% of the fee. New registrations or changes require notice to Admissions in advance.
*Lunch service fees (annual / day / registration where shown)* - Early Childhood (Pre‑Nursery, Nursery, Pre‑K): Registration VND 23,900,000; Annual VND 13,200,000; Day VND 145,000. ECC students receive 3 meals per day (1 lunch + 2 snacks). - Primary School (Kindergarten–Grade 5): Registration VND 25,800,000; Annual VND 15,400,000; Day VND 170,000. Primary students receive 3 meals per day. - Middle and High School: Registration VND 15,100,000; Annual VND 8,200,000; Day VND 95,000. Middle/High students receive 1 meal per day. TOP‑UP options are available. - Notice for Bus/Lunch: to terminate Bus or Lunch service, submit written notice at least 5 working days before the last day of use.
*Textbook deposit and other incidental fees* - Refundable Textbook Deposit: VND 21,000,000 per student (applies to Grades 1–12). The deposit is payable with tuition and will be refunded on withdrawal after deduction of any outstanding charges (lost/damaged textbooks, library fines, lunch/bus fees). - Additional charges not included in tuition: lunch, bus, AP exam fees, SAT exam fees, some special after‑school activities, and Week Without Walls program fees. - Additional administrative charges: extra copies of reports/transcripts/diplomas carry small fees (e.g., VND 150,000 for additional report copies; VND 250,000 for transcripts; VND 500,000 per additional diploma).
*What the tuition covers (items included in the tuition fee)* - Tuition fees include uniform (two school uniforms + one PE uniform), hat, backpack, laptop, yearbook, general school supplies, online application services, national health insurance, and accident insurance for on‑campus incidents or school‑organized trips.
*Billing schedule, payment terms and penalties* - Payment options: Annual payment or Semester payment. Annual payment is settled in advance; Semester payments are paid in advance each semester. All fees are invoiced in VND; payments originating from outside Vietnam may be accepted in USD by bank transfer at prevailing bank exchange rates. Bank transfer is the preferred method; cash or credit card payments must be pre‑arranged with the Accounting Department. Documentary proof of bank transfer must be provided. Bank account details (VND and USD accounts) are provided for fee payment. - Semester payment deposit: when choosing Semester payment, a deposit of VND 30,000,000 is required to secure placement for Semester 2; this deposit is deducted from Semester 2 fees if the student continues and is not refundable if the student does not re‑enroll for Semester 2. - Typical semester deadlines (example schedule): Semester 1 payments are due ahead of the start of Semester 1 and Semester 2 payments are due ahead of Semester 2; example dates used previously were mid‑July for Semester 1 and mid‑December for Semester 2. Late payment policy: 10 business‑day grace period; after that, interest at 0.2% per day is applied. Academic records may be withheld and the school may suspend enrolment if fees remain unpaid 20 days after the published deadline.
*Refund and withdrawal procedure* - A written Withdrawal Notification must be submitted to Admissions at least 60 working days before the student's last day. Refunds of tuition apply only to families who paid under the Annual Tuition Payment option; refunds are calculated as a percentage of the Annual Tuition Fee based on the withdrawal date and the school's published refund schedule. The Textbook Deposit refund is handled separately after deduction of any outstanding charges.
*Boarding (residential) provision* - Boarding is not provided. The school operates as a day school and offers bus transportation and lunch services rather than boarding facilities.
*Accepted payment methods and bank details (summary)* - Preferred method: bank transfer (VND accounts are standard; USD accepted for payments originating outside Vietnam). Cash and credit card payments are accepted only if pre‑arranged with the Accounting Department. Parents are responsible for any bank charges and must provide proof of transfer with the payment reference: “Tuition, student name, grade, academic year.” Bank account names, account numbers and SWIFT codes are provided for both VND and USD transfers.
*Notes on discounts and sibling policy* - Sibling discounts: 10% off the annual tuition for the second (younger) child in the same family; 25% off the annual tuition for the third (youngest) child and subsequent children. This applies to both Annual and Semester payment options.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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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
American Curriculum with an international perspective. English is the teaching medium; EAL support is provided for students whose English is not yet strong, though EAL is not offered for Grades 10-12. For English Language Arts and Math, TAS follows Common Core Standards and Benchmarks; Science uses Next Generation Standards (Common Core Linked); Social Studies uses AERO Standards. The Early Childhood Center follows GELDS. The curriculum is organized into Early Childhood, Elementary (grades 1-5), Middle School (grades 6-8), and High School (grades 9-12). TAS is a Candidate School for the IB Primary Years Programme and is pursuing authorization for the IB Diploma Programme; annual Curriculum Guides describe course descriptions.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
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Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
95% college acceptance rate. 30 national awards won. 15 scholarships awarded. 1000+ standardized test scores.
Higher education progression
Higher education progression
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Higher education progression
Graduates go on to universities worldwide, including Johns Hopkins University, Cornell University, the University of Southern California, New York University, Harvard University, the University of Melbourne, the University of British Columbia, and UC Irvine.
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. Consultation. Schedule a meeting to discuss programs and suitability for prospective students. The consultation may include a campus visit to learn about the program options and admission requirements, helping determine fit with TAS offerings and your child's needs.
2. Required Application Documentation. Submit all necessary forms and records for the application. The required documents include the application form, the application fee, a scan of the child's passport or birth certificate or ID, a recent digital passport photo, two years of previous school records and transcripts with notarized English translations where applicable, the TAS Recommendation Form, and a completed TAS Medical Report.
3. Placement Assessment (If Applicable). A placement assessment may be required to determine the appropriate academic level based on the application materials. If living in Ho Chi Minh City, it will be conducted on campus; if living overseas, it can be arranged as a remote assessment. Assessments may include the WIDA English Language assessment and the MAP for language and math, as applicable.
4. Admission Decision. The Head of Section will provide an admissions decision based on all submitted documentation and any necessary assessments, within 3 working days provided the application fee has been submitted.
5. Enrollment. The Admissions Team will issue an official Acceptance Letter with information and links for Fee Options, Meal Plans, and Bus Registration.
6. Registration Fee. After acceptance, parents must deposit the registration fee within one week (5 working days) from receipt of the invoice to secure the place; the registration fee is non-refundable.
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
TAS provides scholarship counseling through dedicated teachers who guide students in portfolio development and application preparation. TAS students have earned over USD 200,000 in scholarships from top universities worldwide. AP courses and a U.S.-standard curriculum support scholarship applications and real-world experiences are integrated to strengthen university scholarship opportunities. Graduates have been accepted to leading universities including UC Berkeley, NYU, University of Toronto, Penn State, and the University of Sydney.
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.
