Australian International School Saigon - Thu Thiem Campus vs Vietnam Australia International School - Ba Thang Hai Campus
Australian International School Saigon - Thu Thiem Campus and Vietnam Australia International School - Ba Thang Hai Campus are both in Ho Chi Minh City, about 10 km apart. Both schools offer Cambridge IGCSE programmes. Australian International School Saigon - Thu Thiem Campus also offers IB, Cambridge (Secondary) and Reggio Emilia, and Vietnam Australia International School - Ba Thang Hai Campus also offers Cambridge A Levels. Published annual fees are ₫295,600,000 - 912,300,000 at Australian International School Saigon - Thu Thiem Campus and ₫155,000,000 - 585,592,000 at Vietnam Australia International School - Ba Thang Hai Campus, which puts Australian International School Saigon - Thu Thiem Campus roughly 63% higher. Australian International School Saigon - Thu Thiem Campus takes pupils from 1.5 to 18, and Vietnam Australia International School - Ba Thang Hai Campus from 3 to 18. Vietnam Australia International School - Ba Thang Hai Campus is the larger school, with around 2,500 pupils to Australian International School Saigon - Thu Thiem Campus's 1,200. Typical class sizes are 19 at Australian International School Saigon - Thu Thiem Campus and 20 at Vietnam Australia International School - Ba Thang Hai Campus.
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
Vietnam Australia International School – Ba Thang Hai Campus is located at 594 Ba Thang Hai Street, Dien Hong Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The campus sits in District 10, a central urban area of Ho Chi Minh City known for its access to main roads and residential neighbourhoods, making the school reachable for families living across the city. Its location is convenient for daily commuting and close to a range of local amenities.
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 Ba Thang Hai campus offers education from Kindergarten through Primary School, Secondary School, and High School, following the Cambridge International Programme alongside the Vietnamese National Curriculum.
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
The school is co-educational, welcoming both boys and girls across all grade levels.
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 does not provide specific details about additional learning support provisions such as SEN programmes for students with special educational needs.
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 does not have any country affiliations.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
The school does not have any religious affiliations.
Religious affiliation
The school does not have any 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
The school day varies slightly by level. Kindergarten lessons run from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.Primary School operates from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.Secondary School begins at 7:30 a.m. and finishes at 4:30 p.m. These schedules provide full-day learning with time allocated for classroom activities, breaks, meals and end-of-day pick-up.
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 has bus transportation available across locations, with buses that pick up students of all grades across the city, prioritizing safety and supervised by professional staff.
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
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
Vietnam Australia International School – Ba Thang Hai Campus delivers an education from Kindergarten through Primary, Secondary, and High School that integrates the Cambridge International Programme with the Vietnamese National Curriculum. The school offers multiple Cambridge study pathways including the Cambridge Academic Programme International (CAPI), Cambridge Academic Programme (CAP) combined with the national curriculum and the Cambridge English Programme (CEP) across various year levels.
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. Begin by completing the registration form for your child, which starts their admissions journey from Kindergarten through High School. During this step, you provide basic family and student information so the school can begin processing your inquiry and contact you with next steps. Registration is the official first step that opens access to assessment scheduling and pathway guidance.
2. Once registration is submitted, students are scheduled for placement testing appropriate to their age level. For Kindergarten, this involves a psychological and physical survey, while Primary and Secondary applicants sit tests in English, Vietnamese and Mathematics. Following assessment, the school and family discuss the most suitable learning pathway.
3. After tests and pathway decisions, families complete the formal admissions application, providing required documentation and education history. This includes submitting identification, academic records and any other forms requested by the admissions office. At this stage, families also handle payment of fees such as registration and any deposits. Upon acceptance, the school confirms enrolment and provides information about start dates and next administrative steps.
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
Vietnam Australia International School offers scholarship programmes that recognize academic performance and other student achievements as part of its commitment to supporting student access. There are three main scholarship types available:
* Academic Scholarship Programme: This award is given to students who demonstrate strong academic results in the VAS Entrance and Scholarship Exam. It is open to students entering Grades 1 through 12. * Sport Scholarship Programme: This is available for students who achieve results in recognised sports competitions outside of school. Applicants are assessed based on sporting achievement certificates. * Arts Scholarship Programme: This supports students who demonstrate excellence in arts activities, with eligibility based on arts competition results.
Waitlist
Waitlist
AIS operates on a rolling admissions basis, and enrolment is subject to seat availability in each year group.
Waitlist
The school does not publicly disclose information on any existing waitlist system.
