British Vietnamese International School Ho Chi Minh City vs Sedbergh Vietnam
British Vietnamese International School Ho Chi Minh City and Sedbergh Vietnam are both in Ho Chi Minh City, about 5 km apart. Both schools offer IPC, British, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels and Cambridge A Levels programmes. British Vietnamese International School Ho Chi Minh City also offers EYFS, and Sedbergh Vietnam also offers Cambridge (Primary), Canadian, Bespoke, IB, IMYC, Korean, Vietnamese and Montessori. Published annual fees are ₫250,400,000 - 668,600,000 at British Vietnamese International School Ho Chi Minh City and ₫230,675,000 - 556,500,000 at Sedbergh Vietnam, which puts British Vietnamese International School Ho Chi Minh City roughly 17% higher. British Vietnamese International School Ho Chi Minh City takes pupils from 2 to 18, and Sedbergh Vietnam from 5 to 18. The two are similar in size, at around 1,000 and 1,000 pupils.
IPC (International Primary Curriculum), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)
Curriculum
Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Canadian Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum, British Curriculum, IB (PYP), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), IMYC (International Middle Years Curriculum), Korean Curriculum, Vietnamese Curriculum, Montessori Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
1,000
Pupils
1,000
Typical class size
Typical class size
21
Typical class size
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Instruction language
Instruction language
English, Vietnamese
Instruction language
English, Vietnamese
Opened
Opened
2011
Opened
2012
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
BVIS HCMC sits at 44-46 Street 1, Binh Hung, Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The campus is located in the Binh Chanh suburb, providing a quieter, more spacious environment compared with the city centre. While slightly removed from the central business districts, it is accessible by car or organised transport, and offers a more campus-style setting in Ho Chi Minh City.
Location
Sedbergh Vietnam – BCIS is located at No. 86, Road 23, Phu My Hung, Tan My Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. Phu My Hung is in District 7, a well-established residential area with access to major transport routes. The campus is affiliated with Sedbergh School in the United Kingdom.
Stages
Stages
The school is structured into Early Years (starting around age 2), Primary (approx ages 5–11) and Secondary (ages 11–18) including Sixth Form/A-Level study. This means children can remain in one school community from early years through to university preparation.
Stages
Primary Program (Grade 1–5) and Secondary Program (Grade 6–12). The Primary Program provides Cambridge Primary subjects in a MOET-supported framework, while the Secondary Program combines MOET with Cambridge Secondary subjects and English through IMYC. At the end of Grade 8, students choose between the MOET path (with intensive English) leading to a MOET diploma and IELTS 6.5+ or the Cambridge IGCSE/AS/A-Levels route.
School type
School type
BVIS HCMC is a co-educational day school.
School type
Sedbergh Vietnam – BCIS operates as a day school with bus and meal services. It offers a bilingual pathway (MOET + Cambridge) in primary and secondary tracks, along with Cambridge IGCSE and A‑Level options. There is no public information indicating on-site boarding for regular students.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
The school offers tailored additional learning support including English as an Additional Language (EAL) programmes and Vietnamese as an Additional Language (VAL). For students with mild additional educational needs (“inclusion”) there is an Inclusion team that works with class teachers to provide personalised support in small-group settings.
Additional learning support
English as an Additional Language (EAL) is available for students in Grades 3–8 at no additional cost if needed. The entrance assessment covers English, Math, and Literature and may determine EAL support needs.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
BVIS HCMC is based in Vietnam and operates as an international school within the country. It does not function as an overseas branch of a foreign national government but follows an internationally recognised curriculum with a bilingual Vietnamese-English pathway.
Country affiliation
United Kingdom. Sedbergh Vietnam – BCIS maintains an international education partnership with Sedbergh School, a historic British school, and uses Cambridge-based programs.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
The school has no stated religious affiliation and is non-denominational in its educational approach.
Religious affiliation
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School day structure
School day structure
The regular school day runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:05 p.m., with designated break and lunch periods depending on the year group. Students typically arrive before 8:30 a.m. for registration and morning activities, and after-school clubs or co-curricular programmes are available on certain days.
School day structure
A sample day on the CVK campus starts at 8:00 AM with Welcome and Morning Activities, followed by 8:30 AM Arts and Creativity, 11:30 AM Lunch, 2:00 PM Arts & Sciences, and a day ending around 4:30 PM. Meals are provided at school and are part of the daily schedule.
Bus service details
Bus service details
BVIS HCMC operates a comprehensive school-bus service for families across Ho Chi Minh City. The service is managed by a contracted transport provider, offering multiple pick-up and drop-off points, seat-belt-equipped coaches, and supervision staff on board. Details about routes, timings and fees are shared with families through the school’s admissions and parent information channels.
Bus service details
Bus services are provided with a wide range of fixed pickup/drop-off points across districts, operated by Student First Joint Stock Company. For specific residence pickups, contact the school to arrange and confirm start dates. Phone: (028) 54.123.444 (Ext: 1150); Email: xeduaruoc@sedbergh.edu.vn.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application Fee
* VND 3,700,000 — Non-refundable, payable when submitting an application form.
Registration Fee
* Foundation Stage (F1–F3): VND 24,500,000 * Primary & Secondary: VND 73,300,000 (One-time, non-refundable payment confirming a student’s place; families pay the difference when transferring from Foundation to Primary.)
Security Deposit
* VND 36,700,000 per child — refundable upon withdrawal with 90 days’ written notice.
Tuition Fees (by Year Group)
All tuition fees are in VND. Annual tuition fees are discounted by approximately 15% if paid in full before 6 August 2025. Fees may also be paid termly (Term 1 / Term 2 / Term 3).
Foundation Stage
* F1 (Mầm non 1) — Annual 250,400,000 | Term 1 135,840,000 | Term 2 101,470,000 | Term 3 57,280,000 * F2 (Mầm non 2) — Annual 250,400,000 | Term 1 135,840,000 | Term 2 101,470,000 | Term 3 57,280,000 * F3 (Mầm non 3) — Annual 338,900,000 | Term 1 183,850,000 | Term 2 137,330,000 | Term 3 77,530,000
Primary School
* Year 1 — Annual 472,800,000 | Term 1 256,490,000 | Term 2 191,590,000 | Term 3 108,160,000 * Year 2 — Annual 479,800,000 | Term 1 260,280,000 | Term 2 194,430,000 | Term 3 109,760,000 * Year 3 — Annual 486,700,000 | Term 1 264,030,000 | Term 2 197,230,000 | Term 3 111,340,000 * Year 4 — Annual 486,700,000 | Term 1 264,030,000 | Term 2 197,230,000 | Term 3 111,340,000 * Year 5 — Annual 486,700,000 | Term 1 264,030,000 | Term 2 197,230,000 | Term 3 111,340,000
Lower Secondary
* Year 6 — Annual 486,700,000 | Term 1 264,030,000 | Term 2 197,230,000 | Term 3 111,340,000 * Year 7 — Annual 582,600,000 | Term 1 316,050,000 | Term 2 236,090,000 | Term 3 133,270,000 * Year 8 — Annual 593,300,000 | Term 1 321,860,000 | Term 2 240,420,000 | Term 3 135,720,000 * Year 9 — Annual 593,300,000 | Term 1 321,860,000 | Term 2 240,420,000 | Term 3 135,720,000
Upper Secondary (IGCSE & A Levels)
* Year 10 — Annual 606,800,000 | Term 1 329,180,000 | Term 2 245,890,000 | Term 3 138,810,000 * Year 11 — Annual 606,800,000 | Term 1 329,180,000 | Term 2 245,890,000 | Term 3 138,810,000 * Year 12 — Annual 668,600,000 | Term 1 362,710,000 | Term 2 270,940,000 | Term 3 152,950,000 * Year 13 — Annual 668,600,000 | Term 1 362,710,000 | Term 2 270,940,000 | Term 3 152,950,000
Refund Policy
Parents must give 90 days’ written notice of withdrawal to qualify for a partial refund of annual tuition, calculated according to the student’s final school day. Termly fees and late-enrolment fees are non-refundable.
Included / Excluded Items
Included: school lunches, day trips, and compulsory health insurance. Excluded: uniforms, bus transport, residential trips, and certain extracurricular or instrumental classes.
Payment Options
Fees are invoiced in Vietnamese Dong (VND) and payable locally. Payments from outside Vietnam may be made in USD by bank transfer at the prevailing exchange rate.
Fee details
Application Fees
Assessment Fee: VND 2,200,000 (non-refundable).
Registration Fee: VND 20,000,000 (paid upon acceptance).
Reservation Fee: VND 20,000,000 (deducted from tuition).
Tuition Fees (Annual / Per Term Installment)
Bilingual Program:
- Grade 1: VND 256,305,000 / VND 143,535,000.
- Grade 2–3: VND 269,010,000 / VND 150,675,000.
- Grade 4: VND 282,555,000 / VND 158,235,000.
- Grade 5–6: VND 288,645,000 / VND 161,700,000.
- Grade 7–8: VND 319,935,000 / VND 179,130,000.
- Grade 9: VND 340,725,000 / VND 190,785,000.
- Grade 10–12: VND 361,410,000 / VND 202,335,000.
Monolingual Program:
- Year 6: VND 435,750,000 / VND 244,020,000.
- Year 7–8: VND 469,875,000 / VND 263,130,000.
- Year 9–10: VND 513,240,000 / VND 287,385,000.
- Year 11–12: VND 556,500,000 / VND 311,640,000.
Billing Schedule and Payment Terms
Annual Payment: Due June 1, 2025.
Term Payments: 1st Installment due June 30, 2025; 2nd Installment due December 5, 2025.
Early Payment Discounts: 10% (by Mar 15), 7% (by Apr 30), or 5% (by June 1) on full tuition.
Boarding Fees
VND 180,000,000 per school year (includes accommodation, meals, laundry, and weekend expenses).
Other Costs
Learning Resources: VND 1,500,000 – VND 35,000,000 depending on grade.
Meals & Bus: Fees vary; charged separately.
Refund Information
100% refund (less reservation fee) if withdrawn before the school year starts. Partial refunds (60% to 10%) available for withdrawals during the year depending on notice date; no refunds after March 31, 2026.
Fee Payment Options
Bank transfer, credit card (at school), or cash.
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
—
Governance and ownership
—
Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
Students in Early Years (ages 2-5) follow the British EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) programme delivered bilingually in English and Vietnamese. For Primary (ages 5-11) the school blends the National Curriculum for England with the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), also integrating Vietnamese language and culture. In Secondary Years 7-9 (ages 11-14) students follow the National Curriculum for England, preparing for Upper Secondary. For Years 10-11 (ages 14-16) students study the internationally-recognised Cambridge IGCSE qualifications. Finally, in Years 12-13 (ages 16-18) students specialise in their chosen subjects and study the Cambridge International A Levels.
Curriculum details
Sedbergh Vietnam – BCIS delivers a curriculum that blends MOET (Vietnam's national curriculum) with Cambridge standards and the IPC/IMYC frameworks, offering both bilingual and international pathways and a broad Extra-Curricular Activities program. The Primary Program (Grades 1–5) combines MOET with the Cambridge Primary program, with Cambridge subjects in primary including Math, Science, English, Art, Music and Drama to foster active independent learning. The Secondary Program (Grades 6–12) continues MOET alongside Cambridge Lower Secondary subjects and IMYC in English, and from the end of Grade 8 students choose between a MOET diploma with IELTS 6.5+ or the Cambridge IGCSE/AS/A-Levels track. For Cambridge progression, students study the IGCSE in Years 10–11 (minimum of five IGCSE subjects including English and Maths) and then proceed to AS/A-Levels in Years 12–13. From the 2025–2026 school year, the upper-secondary bilingual program introduces English for Academic Purposes (EAP) aligned to CEFR (A2–B2) with IELTS and SAT preparation, and Grade 9 Mathematics is taught in English via the Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics pathway.
1. Enquiry Families begin the process by contacting the school’s Admissions Team, who provide information about the programmes and answer initial questions. Parents are invited to schedule a visit to learn more about the school’s approach, facilities, and community.
2. Guided Campus Tour A guided tour allows families to see the campus either in person or virtually. During the visit, staff highlight learning spaces and explain the school’s bilingual approach and daily routines. This step helps families decide whether the school environment fits their child’s needs.
3. Submit Application Form Parents complete the online application form and pay the required application fee. BVIS HCMC accepts applications throughout the year, although early submission is encouraged to ensure placement availability.
4. Placement All applicants participate in an interview and entrance assessment suited to their age group. For younger children, assessments may include informal play-based activities. The school reviews each applicant’s results and determines the most suitable year placement.
5. Securing Your Child’s Place Once an offer of admission is made, parents confirm acceptance by paying the registration fee and security deposit. This step officially secures the student’s place in the school.
6. Enrolment and Orientation Before starting classes, new students and families attend an orientation session. The programme helps students become familiar with their teachers, routines, and classmates, ensuring a comfortable transition into the BVIS community.
Admissions
Step 1 — Consultation. The process begins with an admission consultation to help families choose a suitable educational program and understand the admission pathway. Parents provide their contact details to receive detailed guidance, and group consultations can be arranged if several families are applying together. During this stage, families are informed about the Academic Scholarship Program, including the possibility of scholarships that cover up to 100% of tuition; information is provided to help determine eligibility and the best program fit.
Step 2 — Entrance examination and admission requirements. After completing the admission form and receiving program guidance, the admissions team arranges an entrance examination for the child. The entrance test covers English, Mathematics, and Literature, and families may be asked to provide transcripts or related documents before and during the testing process. Some applicants may meet with the School Board as part of the evaluation before final admission decisions are issued; after the test, the leadership team provides feedback and the admissions team communicates next steps or additional guidance.
Step 3 — Enrollment. Upon admission approval, families prepare and submit the required documentation to complete the admission profile. Required items include a health certification and vaccination certificate (Preschool), a birth certificate copy (or notarized translation for foreigners), copies of parent IDs (and student IDs in later grades), the student's original transcript, and any relevant school transfer letters. Additional items may include prior school documentation and letters of recommendation; once documents are verified, enrollment is completed and a start date is confirmed.
Scholarships
Scholarships
BVIS HCMC offers “The 1 Scholarship Programme” for Secondary School (ages 11–16, Years 7-12) for the 2025-2026 year. The scholarship includes a 100% waiver of the application fee, a 100% waiver of the registration fee, and up to 20 % tuition fee reduction for the year. It is applicable for one academic year only and does not cover the security deposit, uniform, bus, trips or extra-curricular fees. Applicants submit evidence of academic and extra-curricular achievement and attend an assessment and interview.
Scholarships
Academic scholarships: Sedbergh Vietnam offers an Academic Scholarship Program with awards from 20% to 100% of tuition, and up to 150 scholarships in total. Eligibility includes an average English score of 8.0 or higher, two consecutive years of “excellent” academic performance, active participation in extracurricular activities, and possession of certificates or awards. The program promises a simple application process and free testing fees as part of the process. Cambridge scholarships: Cambridge-based scholarships are available, with awards up to 60% of tuition for eligible students pursuing Cambridge IGCSE/AS/A-Level pathways. There are also broader Cambridge scholarship opportunities referred to on the school's pages, including a substantial fund and multiple full scholarships in some years. Notably, a separate Cambridge scholarship initiative is described as a total fund (e.g., up to 18 billion VND) with a number of full scholarships and a January 15, 2026 application deadline. These scholarships are not stackable with other promotions and have specific terms. For prospective applicants, the school communicates Cambridge-related scholarship details during the admissions process and in dedicated scholarship announcements.
Waitlist
Waitlist
The school does not publicly detail a formal waitlist or pool system in its admissions information.
