Australian International School Saigon - Thu Thiem Campus vs European International School Ho Chi Minh City
Australian International School Saigon - Thu Thiem Campus and European International School Ho Chi Minh City are both in Ho Chi Minh City, about 2 km apart. Both schools offer IB programmes, and Australian International School Saigon - Thu Thiem Campus also offers Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE and Reggio Emilia. Published annual fees are ₫295,600,000 - 912,300,000 at Australian International School Saigon - Thu Thiem Campus and ₫274,700,000 - 817,900,000 at European International School Ho Chi Minh City, which puts Australian International School Saigon - Thu Thiem Campus roughly 11% higher. Australian International School Saigon - Thu Thiem Campus takes pupils from 1.5 to 18, and European International School Ho Chi Minh City from 2 to 18. Australian International School Saigon - Thu Thiem Campus is the larger school, with around 1,200 pupils to European International School Ho Chi Minh City's 570. Typical class sizes are 19 at Australian International School Saigon - Thu Thiem Campus and 7 at European International School Ho Chi Minh City.
AIS’s Thu Thiem campus is located at 264 Mai Chi Tho, An Phu Ward, Thu Duc City (Ho Chi Minh City). The area is part of the modern Thu Thiem peninsula, a growing residential and educational district about 15 minutes from the city centre. The school is easily accessible from major roads such as Hanoi Highway and Mai Chi Tho Boulevard, with convenient transport links across the city.
Location
EIS is situated at 730 F-730 G-730 K Lê Văn Miến Street, An Khanh Ward, Thảo Điền, Thu Đức City (District 2) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It lies in a residential, expatriate-friendly neighbourhood with access by local roads and serves families living in the city’s eastern suburbs.
Stages
Stages
AIS Thu Thiem offers a full education pathway for students aged 1.5 to 18, from Infant and Kindergarten through Primary (Years 1–6), Secondary (Years 7–11), and Senior School (Years 12–13). The curriculum transitions from the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) to Cambridge Lower Secondary and IGCSE, and culminates with the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP).
Stages
The school welcomes children aged 2 to 18 years. It is organised into early years (approx ages 2–5), primary (around ages 6–11), middle school (around ages 11–15) and high school (ages 16–18).
School type
School type
AIS is a co-educational international school, welcoming both local and expatriate students. It also offers boarding accommodation for students in Years 7–13, located on the Thu Thiem campus.
School type
EIS is a co-educational day 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, coordinated through its Student Support Services team. Support may include differentiated instruction, small group intervention, and pastoral care within mainstream classes. English language learners also receive EAL (English as an Additional Language) support where needed.
Additional learning support
The school indicates that it provides “mainstream with SEN support” for students with additional learning needs, meaning that while specialised separate units may not be emphasised, support is offered within the regular classes.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school follows an Australian educational philosophy and is affiliated with the Inspired Education Group, an international schools network headquartered in London. While Australian in origin, AIS offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) and Cambridge programmes to an international student body.
Country affiliation
The school is not formally affiliated with a particular national curriculum of one country; it is a private international school in Vietnam offering the IB 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
The school day begins at 8:00 am and finishes at 2:40 pm for Secondary students. Morning recess runs from 9:30 to 10:00 am, and lunch is from 12:40 to 1:20 pm. After-school activities take place between 2:50 and 3:50 pm, with language support sessions (EAL and Vietnamese) continuing until around 4:05 pm. This schedule balances academic classes, enrichment opportunities, and time for social interaction.
School day structure
Specific start and end times for each day are not publicly detailed.
Bus service details
Bus service details
AIS provides a reliable, air-conditioned bus service that covers a wide network across Ho Chi Minh City. Each bus has a licensed driver and a trained monitor to ensure safety. The standard bus departs at 3:00 pm, with a later service at 4:05 pm for students taking part in after-school activities. Families can arrange route options during enrolment, and changes to travel plans can be managed through the school reception.
Bus service details
The school offers a dedicated bus service for students, with routes covering nearby neighbourhoods and suburbs, providing supervised transport to and from the campus each day.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application Fee A one-time, non-refundable fee of VND 3,500,000 is payable upon application submission.
Acceptance Fee
* Kindergarten (Infant–Senior): VND 32,000,000 (an additional VND 32,000,000 due upon progression to Year 1) * Primary & Middle School (Years 1–11): VND 64,000,000 * Senior School (Years 12–13): VND 32,000,000
Tuition Fees (per year, Plan A – Annual Payment)
* Infant Kindergarten: VND 295,600,000 * Junior Kindergarten: VND 302,100,000 * Senior Kindergarten: VND 305,400,000 * Year 1: VND 566,000,000 * Years 2–6: VND 619,300,000–653,800,000 * Years 7–9: VND 710,500,000–752,800,000 * Years 10–11: VND 763,900,000–792,800,000 * Years 12–13: VND 860,700,000
Payment Options Tuition may be paid annually, in two instalments, or four instalments. A 6% discount applies for full annual payment, with an extra 1.5% early payment discount if settled before a due date.
Bus Service Fees (per year) Depending on route and distance, annual bus fees range from VND 13,277,000 (short distance, e.g. Thao Dien–Thu Thiem) to VND 53,890,000 (long distance, e.g. Bien Hoa, Dong Nai). Both one-way and return options are available.
Other Costs Uniforms, meals for Years 7–13, extracurricular activities, and optional after-school care incur additional charges.
Refund Policy Refunds on annual tuition are based on the student’s withdrawal date: 95% before school starts, 65% in Term 1, 40% in Term 2, 15% in Term 3, and 0% in Term 4.
Payment Methods Fees can be paid by bank transfer or credit card, in VND or USD, using the prevailing Vietcombank or ANZ exchange rate
Fee details
Application and Admission Fees
* Application Fee: VND 3,500,000 per student (one-time, non-refundable, payable on application). * Acceptance Fee (Admission Fee): • Early Years (Toddler – Kindergarten 1 & 2): VND 20,000,000 per student • Preschool: VND 40,000,000 per student • Grades 1–10: VND 40,000,000 per student • Grades 11–12: VND 32,000,000 per student
Note: The amounts listed above represent Plan A (Annual Payment). Under Plan B (2-instalment) or Plan C (4-instalment) options, fees are slightly higher to reflect the payment schedule. Discounts apply for early payments and siblings.
Security Deposit / Re-enrolment Deposit VND 30,000,000 per student, payable annually to secure placement. The deposit is deducted from tuition fees once enrolment is confirmed and refunded only with a 60-day written withdrawal notice.
Bus Fees (2025–2026) The annual bus service fee ranges from VND 27,948,000 to 50,140,000 for a round trip and VND 17,085,000 to 30,150,000 for a one-way journey, depending on distance. A 10 % discount applies for additional siblings using the service.
Other Services and Costs
* Canteen: Early Years – VND 19,400,000 per year; Grades 1–12 – VND 21,500,000 per year. * Uniforms: Available for purchase at the School Shop three days per week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday). * Family Discounts: Second child – 50 % waiver of the Acceptance Fee + 5 % tuition discount; third and subsequent children – full waiver + 10 % tuition discount (maximum 12 % total).
Refund and Withdrawal Policy Refunds are available based on the withdrawal date with a 60-day notice:
* Before school starts – 95 % refund * Term 1 – 65 % * Term 2 – 40 % * Term 3 – 15 % * Term 4 – 0 %
Students enrolling mid-year pay a pro-rated percentage based on their entry date.
Payment Methods and Terms Payments can be made via bank transfer (preferred) or credit card in VND, USD or EUR, based on Vietcombank’s buying rate on the transfer date. Late payments are subject to a 12 % annualised interest penalty.
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) Thu Thiem offers an internationally recognised curriculum from early years through to graduation. In the Early Years and Primary School (Kindergarten to Year 6), students follow the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP), supported by elements of the Australian and Cambridge curricula in English, Mathematics, and Science. The Middle School (Years 7–9) continues with the Cambridge Lower Secondary Programme, preparing students for external assessment and subject specialisation. In Years 10–11, students study for the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) across core and elective subjects. The Senior School (Years 12–13) offers the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP), providing a globally recognised qualification for university entry. The curriculum is delivered in English, complemented by language, arts, and technology programmes throughout all school stages.
Curriculum details
European International School Ho Chi Minh City (EIS) offers the full continuum of the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum for students aged 2 to 18 years. The school follows the Primary Years Programme (PYP) in the Early Years and Primary School, focusing on inquiry-based learning across key subjects. In Middle School, students progress into the Middle Years Programme (MYP), which builds academic depth and interdisciplinary understanding. The Diploma Programme (DP) is offered in Grades 11 and 12, providing internationally recognised qualifications for university entry worldwide. Core subjects include English, Mathematics, Sciences, Humanities, Languages, and the Arts, alongside physical education and community engagement. Students also take part in language acquisition (such as French, German, Spanish, Vietnamese, or Korean) and creative or service-oriented projects aligned with IB principles.
1. Enquiry or School Tour Families begin by completing an Enquiry Form or booking a personalised school tour. This allows parents to learn about the school’s curriculum, facilities, and boarding or day options available at the Thu Thiem or Thao Dien campuses. Tours are arranged directly with the Admissions Office or online.
2. Application Form and Supporting Documents Parents then complete the Enrolment Application Form and submit required documents online. These include school reports from the previous two years, a copy of the student’s birth certificate or passport, parents’ passports or identity cards, and any relevant Special Educational Needs assessment reports. Certificates of achievement in academics, sport, or community programmes may also be included.
3. Entrance Exams and Interview Applicants are invited to complete an entrance exam and attend an interview with the Principal or Deputy Principal. This step helps the school assess academic readiness and English language proficiency before placement.
4. Offer Letter and Acceptance Successful candidates receive a formal Offer Letter. To confirm the place, families must pay a non-refundable Acceptance Fee, followed by tuition fees according to their chosen payment plan.
5. Welcome to AIS Once payment and paperwork are completed, the student’s enrolment is finalised, and they officially join the AIS community.
Admissions
1. Submit Online Application Form Families begin the process by completing the online application form on the school website and uploading the required documents, such as recent school reports and identification.
2. Entrance Assessment and Interview Applicants take an entrance assessment and attend an interview with the Principal or Deputy Principal. This step allows the school to understand each student’s academic level and learning needs.
3. Offer of Place Successful applicants receive a formal Letter of Offer confirming a place at the school.
4. Acceptance of Offer Parents confirm acceptance by paying the required Acceptance Fee, securing the student’s place.
5. Tuition Fee Payment Tuition fees are then paid in accordance with the Debit Note issued by the school, following the chosen payment plan.
Scholarships
Scholarships
AIS Saigon offers academic and talent-based scholarships for new students entering Years 7-12, with awards ranging from 10% up to 100% of the annual tuition fee. The selection is based on academic achievement and individual talents in the school’s three pillars: academics, arts, and sports. The application process requires submission of the scholarship application form, recent school reports, evidence of achievement (academic, sporting, cultural, or community), passport or birth certificate copies, and payment of an application fee of VND 3,500,000. Shortlisted applicants are then invited to take assessments (including English test, cognitive ability test, and writing test) followed by an interview with the senior leadership team. Recipients must maintain high standards of achievement and participation, with scholarship continuation contingent upon consistent performance and contribution to school life.
Scholarships
EIS offers a Merit Scholarship Programme for selected students. Scholarships can cover from 15% up to 100% of tuition fees (excluding field trips, exam fees and other direct costs). Eligibility is based on academic achievement, leadership, critical thinking and community engagement; students apply by submitting reports, certificates and an English placement test, followed by an interview. The scholarship is awarded after evaluation by a committee and is reviewed annually.
Waitlist
Waitlist
AIS operates on a rolling admissions basis, and enrolment is subject to seat availability in each year group.
Waitlist
The school states that demand for places is very high and “most year groups have a waiting list.” In other words, once offered and accepted places are filled, additional applicants may be placed on a wait-list until spaces become available. The school accepts applications year-round but advises early registration to avoid disappointment.
