Dwight School Hanoi vs United Nations International School of Hanoi
Dwight School Hanoi and United Nations International School of Hanoi are both in Hanoi, about 11 km apart. Both schools follow an IB curriculum. Published annual fees are close, at ₫325,000,000 - 845,000,000 for Dwight School Hanoi and ₫373,000,000 - 776,000,000 for United Nations International School of Hanoi. Dwight School Hanoi takes pupils from 3 to 18, and United Nations International School of Hanoi from 3 to 12. United Nations International School of Hanoi is the larger school, with around 1,100 pupils to Dwight School Hanoi's 165. Typical class sizes are 20 at Dwight School Hanoi and 1100 at United Nations International School of Hanoi.
Dwight School Hanoi is located in The Manor Central Park on Nguyễn Xiển Road in southwest Hanoi. The campus sits within a modern residential township with convenient road access to other parts of the city. It is positioned along major road links, making it reachable from key neighbourhoods in Hanoi.
Location
UNIS Hanoi campus sits within the Ciputra International Township, a residential area in Hanoi’s northern district. It is easily accessible from the city centre and within a short drive of Nội Bài International Airport. The surrounding area is peaceful and well-connected by major roads linking central Hanoi with the airport corridor.
Stages
Stages
The school serves students from Preschool/Early Childhood (starting at age 3) through Grade 12. Its structure is divided into Early Years, Primary School, Middle School, and Upper School.
Stages
The school educates students from Early Years 3 (age 3) through Grade 12 (age 18). It is divided into Elementary (EY3 – Grade 5), Middle School (Grades 6–8), and High School (Grades 9–12). Each section follows one of the International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes — PYP, MYP, and DP.
School type
School type
Dwight School Hanoi is a co-educational day school. It does not offer boarding.
School type
UNIS Hanoi is a not-for-profit, co-educational, day school with no boarding facilities. The school welcomes both international and Vietnamese students who meet admissions criteria. It operates under a governance structure that includes representatives from the United Nations, the Vietnamese Government, and the parent community.
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 provides additional learning support through a designated programme for students who require extra academic assistance. This includes a structured support pathway known as “Quest.”
Additional learning support
UNIS Hanoi provides structured support through its Student Support Services, which include Learning Support, English as an Additional Language (EAL), Counselling, Speech and Language Therapy, and an Educational Psychologist. These services operate under the school’s Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework to meet individual student needs within available capacity.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school is part of the international Dwight network, originally founded in the United States. It does not carry a formal country-specific affiliation and follows an international curriculum.
Country affiliation
The school was founded through collaboration between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Vietnamese Government in 1988. It continues to maintain this United Nations affiliation.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
The school does not identify with or promote any religious affiliation.
Religious affiliation
UNIS Hanoi has no religious affiliation and describes itself as a non-denominational institution.
School day structure
School day structure
The school operates on a standard academic calendar running from August to June. Specific daily start and end times, including breaks and lunch schedules, are not publicly detailed.
School day structure
The school does not publicly list one standard daily timetable, as schedules differ by division. Elementary handbooks indicate morning sessions, lunch and recess breaks, and afternoon classes ending mid-afternoon. Secondary schedules follow a similar structure with advisory and subject periods spread across the day.
Bus service details
Bus service details
The school provides a bus service covering multiple areas across Hanoi. Routes are monitored through a tracking system to support safe travel. Parents can request bus services during the admissions process, and routes are arranged to accommodate enrolled families.
Bus service details
A dedicated School Bus Service is available for eligible students, operated under UNIS Hanoi’s transportation policies. The service includes defined pick-up and drop-off routes within Hanoi, safety guidelines, and student conduct rules. Families register through the school’s transport office and can review details in the Elementary Handbook and official policies.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application Fees A one-time non-refundable Application Fee of VND 4,500,000 is required for all new applicants. A Placement Fee of VND 55,000,000 is payable upon acceptance to secure the student’s place; this fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. A Facility Fee of VND 55,000,000 is charged annually for all students.
Tuition Fees (Per Year) Early Childhood (PreK – K2): VND 325,000,000 Lower School (G1 – G5): VND 485,000,000 Middle School (G6 – G8): VND 615,000,000 Upper School (G9 – G10): VND 755,000,000 Upper School (G11 – G12): VND 845,000,000
Tuition is invoiced annually or by semester. Semester payments are structured as: Semester 1: 60% Semester 2: 40% Parents may also choose a full-year payment.
Additional Fees A Tech Fee of VND 14,000,000 per year applies for all students. Optional services including meals, after-school programmes, field trips, and examinations are charged separately. School uniforms are not included in tuition and must be purchased independently.
Transportation Fees The school offers a bus service with fees billed per semester. Pricing varies by distance and route, and families may select one-way or round-trip service. All buses are monitored and include supervision for student safety.
Learning Support Students requiring additional academic support may be enrolled in the school’s Quest Programme, which incurs supplementary fees depending on the level of support needed.
Refund Policy Placement and application fees are non-refundable. Tuition refund terms are based on the withdrawal date and follow the school’s published refund schedule.
Payment Options Payments can be made via bank transfer. Credit card options are not publicly specified.
Fee details
Application Fees A non-refundable application fee is payable upon submission of the online application form. A tuition deposit is required to secure enrollment; this deposit is credited toward the first tuition payment but is non-refundable and non-transferable if the student does not attend.
Fees are invoiced annually or by installment according to the school’s published billing schedule. A seat deposit is required each year to confirm continued enrollment for returning students.
Additional Fees Other fees include a one-time enrolment fee, bus service fees, technology charges, and optional uniform purchases. Learning materials, school trips, and certain extracurricular activities may also incur additional costs.
Transportation Fees UNIS Hanoi operates an internal School Bus Service for eligible students living within Hanoi. Routes, safety standards, and supervision procedures are specified in the school’s transport policies. Fees are billed directly by the school and vary by route and distance.
Learning Support Students requiring additional academic or language support are assisted through the school’s Student Support Services, which include Learning Support, English as an Additional Language (EAL), Counselling, and Speech and Language Therapy. Families whose children require support beyond what the school can provide may be asked to arrange external specialists.
Refund Policy Refunds for tuition are governed by the school’s official Refund Procedures, which outline the percentage refundable based on the timing of withdrawal within the semester. The tuition deposit is non-refundable once paid.
Payment Options Payments can be made by bank transfer in USD or VND to UNIS Hanoi’s Techcombank accounts, or via cash deposit at Techcombank branches. Late payments may be subject to additional charges as stated in the school’s financial policies.
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
Dwight School Hanoi offers the full International Baccalaureate continuum across all school levels. In Early Childhood and Primary School, students follow the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), which integrates inquiry-based learning across core subjects. Middle School students progress into the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), where learning includes subject groups such as language and literature, science, individuals and societies, design, arts, and physical education. In Grades 11 and 12, students undertake the IB Diploma Programme (DP), completing subjects across six academic groups along with core components such as the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, and CAS. English is the main language of instruction, with additional language study available. Specialist areas including design, arts, and physical education are embedded throughout the curriculum from early years to upper school.
Curriculum details
UNIS Hanoi offers the full International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum across all grade levels: the Primary Years Programme (PYP) from Early Years 3 to Grade 5, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) from Grades 6 to 10, and the Diploma Programme (DP) in Grades 11 and 12. Each programme provides an inquiry-based framework designed to develop conceptual understanding and skills across subject areas. In the Elementary years, students study core subjects such as Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Arts, and Physical Education, with additional instruction in Vietnamese, French, or Mandarin. The MYP builds on this with interdisciplinary units, Design, and Service as Action components. In the Diploma Programme, students complete six subjects chosen from the IB groups along with Theory of Knowledge (TOK), an Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) requirements. English is the language of instruction throughout the school.
1. Online Application Submission Families begin by completing the school’s online application form and submitting all required documents. This typically includes school reports, identification documents, and the application fee of VND 4,500,000. Parents are encouraged to provide accurate academic records so the school can review readiness for placement. Applications are reviewed once all components are received.
2. Academic Review and Placement Consideration The admissions team evaluates the submitted documents and determines whether further steps such as interviews or assessments are needed. The school reviews each application based on age, prior school experience, and programme suitability. At this stage, applicants may be asked to provide additional documentation if needed.
3. Offer of Placement and Payment of Fees If a space is available and the student meets entry requirements, the school issues an official offer. To secure the place, families must pay the Placement Fee (VND 55,000,000) and the annual Facility Fee (VND 55,000,000). These fees must be paid within the specified timeframe for enrolment to be confirmed.
4. Confirmation and Enrolment Once fees are received, the school confirms the student's enrolment. Families then receive information about bus services, meals, uniforms, and the start-of-school procedures. Additional learning support, if required, is reviewed through the Quest Programme before the student begins classes.
Admissions
1. Online Application Submission Families begin the admissions process by completing the online application form on the UNIS Hanoi website. Supporting documents such as school reports, passport copies, and health forms must be uploaded, and a non-refundable application fee must be paid at this stage. Applications are accepted year-round but depend on space availability.
2. Assessment and Interview Applicants are assessed to determine their readiness for the IB curriculum. For Early Years and Elementary applicants, this may include a play-based session or parent interview. For Grades 1–12, students complete an academic assessment and English language evaluation (if applicable). The school may also request additional information from previous schools to better understand the student’s learning profile.
3. Review by the Admissions Committee All applications are reviewed by a committee that includes principals, counsellors, and learning support specialists. Decisions are based on available space, the student’s academic background, English proficiency, and the school’s capacity to meet learning needs. The review ensures balanced classroom composition across language levels and learning support requirements.
4. Placement and Offer of Admission If a space is available, families receive a formal offer of admission via email. To confirm the place, parents must submit the tuition deposit and complete the required medical and consent forms. If space is not available, the student is placed in the wait pool.
5. Orientation and Enrollment Before the first day of school, new families attend a New Family Orientation to meet teachers, receive class schedules, and learn about school systems such as transport, uniforms, and technology use. Enrolled students are assigned a homeroom or advisory teacher who helps with the transition into school life.
Scholarships
Scholarships
The school does not publicly disclose any scholarship programmes. There is no information available regarding academic, talent-based, or financial-aid scholarships, nor any eligibility criteria or application procedures.
Scholarships
UNIS Hanoi offers a Scholarship Programme for academically capable students from Vietnamese public schools who would otherwise be unable to attend an international school. The scholarship covers 100% of tuition and associated fees through graduation, provided the recipient maintains academic and behavioural expectations. Applicants are selected through a rigorous process that includes academic testing, English assessments, interviews, and a review of family finances. Scholarship students are part of the broader UNIS community and participate fully in academic and co-curricular programmes.
Waitlist
Waitlist
Dwight School Hanoi does not publicly disclose whether it uses a waitlist or pool-based admissions system. There is no published information about how waiting lists are structured, prioritised, or managed. As a result, it cannot be confirmed if the school operates a formal waitlist process.
Waitlist
UNIS Hanoi operates a wait pool rather than a chronological waiting list. When space is not available in a specific grade, qualified applicants are placed in this pool. Admission priority is determined by the school’s Priority Lane system, which ranks applications as follows:
Lane 1: United Nations, embassy, and diplomatic staff; faculty dependents; scholarship students Lane 2: Siblings of current students or graduates Lane 3: Alumni children Lane 4: Expatriate families Lane 5: Vietnamese nationals
If a place becomes available, offers are made based on the student’s priority lane and suitability for the available space, not by the date of application. Applicants in the wait pool remain eligible for one academic year and must reapply for the following year if no space opens.
