European International School Ho Chi Minh City vs The Canadian International School
European International School Ho Chi Minh City and The Canadian International School are both in Ho Chi Minh City, about 10 km apart. Both schools offer IB programmes, and The Canadian International School also offers Advanced Placement (AP) and Canadian. Published annual fees are ₫274,700,000 - 817,900,000 at European International School Ho Chi Minh City and ₫531,600,000 - 804,000,000 at The Canadian International School, which puts The Canadian International School roughly 22% higher. European International School Ho Chi Minh City takes pupils from 2 to 18, and The Canadian International School from 6 to 18. The Canadian International School is the larger school, with around 1,700 pupils to European International School Ho Chi Minh City's 570. Typical class sizes are 7 at European International School Ho Chi Minh City and 21 at The Canadian International School.
IB (DP), Advanced Placement (AP), Canadian Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
570
Pupils
1,700
Typical class size
Typical class size
7
Typical class size
21
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
2009
Opened
2009
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
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.
Location
CIS is located at No 7, Road 23, Tân Mỹ Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The school’s site is in the Phú Mỹ Hưng residential and business area, with access via several major bus routes serving District 7 and linking to central parts of the city. Public transit stops within a short walk of the school.
Stages
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).
Stages
The school provides education from elementary through to high school.
School type
School type
EIS is a co-educational day school.
School type
CIS is co-educational (boys and girls attend). It presents itself as a day school. They do mention boarding in their fee schedule, but there is no other information available.
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 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.
Additional learning support
CIS has a “Student Support Services” section which mentions learning support and counselling to assist students with their academic and personal development.
Country affiliation
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.
Country affiliation
The school follows a Canadian curriculum model but it is not affiliated with any country.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
The school has no religious affiliations.
Religious affiliation
The school has no religious affiliations.
School day structure
School day structure
Specific start and end times for each day are not publicly detailed.
School day structure
The website indicates there is a full daily programme including academic classes, co-curricular activities, breaks and lunch, but specific start and end times for the school day are not publicly published.
Bus service details
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.
Bus service details
The Canadian International School offers a daily bus service for students across Ho Chi Minh City. Families can register for the service through the school office, and routes are organized to cover major residential areas, particularly within and around District 7. Details about pickup locations and fees are provided in the school’s transportation guidelines and annual fee schedule.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
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.
* Grades 1–3: VND 531,600,000 per year * Grades 4–5: VND 559,600,000 per year * Grades 6–8: VND 611,000,000 per year * Grade 9: VND 677,700,000 per year * Grade 10: VND 679,300,000 per year * Grade 11: VND 720,000,000 per year * Grade 12: VND 804,000,000 per year Students enrolled in the IB Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12) pay an additional VND 20,000,000 per year. The annual tuition includes access to textbooks (except IB), accident insurance, and clubs but excludes uniforms and excursions.
Billing and Payment Terms
* Discounts for early payment: 10% , 7%, or 5% depending on the date. * Tuition may also be adjusted for mid-year entry; later entry months pay between 20–100 % of annual fees, depending on the start date.
Boarding Fees (not much information available).
* VND 180,000,000 per year
Other Fees
* Vietnamese after-school class: VND 19,000,000 per year. * English Language Support (ELL): VND 50,000,000 per year. * Meal fees: To be announced. * Bus fees: Calculated by optimized routes.
Refund Policy Refunds depend on withdrawal date and advance notice. Up to 100 % of tuition (minus the reservation fee) is refunded before the school year starts with 60 days’ notice, decreasing to 15 % for withdrawals before a certain date.
Payment Options Payments are accepted via bank transfer. Families are advised to pay before stated deadlines to qualify for discounts and maintain enrollment.
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
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.
Curriculum details
CIS offers the Ontario Curriculum from Kindergarten through to Grade 12, ensuring consistency through the elementary and lower secondary years. In Grades 9-10 the Ontario programme continues, with optional Advanced Placement (AP) courses available. In Grades 11-12 students may choose the full IB Diploma Programme (IB DP) or IB Course Certificates, and also complete the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) pathway. The curriculum integrates key elements such as inquiry-based learning, metacognition and student voice across all years. This blended model provides students with recognized qualifications and multiple pathways to higher education.
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.
Admissions
1. Enquiry and Consultation Parents begin by contacting the school’s Admissions Office or completing the online enquiry form. The admissions team provides an overview of the curriculum, school facilities, and entry requirements, and arranges a campus tour or virtual consultation for interested families.
2. Application Submission Families submit the completed application form along with required documents, including previous school reports, copies of the student’s passport or birth certificate, health information, and any additional records requested. An application and assessment fee must be paid at this stage.
3. Assessment and Interview Applicants complete an age-appropriate entrance assessment to evaluate academic readiness and English proficiency. Depending on the grade level, an interview may also be conducted with the student and parents to understand their educational goals and background.
4. Offer of Placement Successful applicants receive a formal Letter of Offer confirming grade placement, tuition fees, and enrolment terms. Parents are required to review and confirm acceptance within the stated time frame.
5. Registration and Payment Families confirm enrolment by signing the school’s enrolment agreement and paying the registration and reservation fees along with the first tuition installment. The school then finalises class placement and provides joining instructions.
6. Orientation and Start of School Before the academic year begins, students and parents attend an orientation session to meet teachers and learn about the school’s routines and expectations. The student then joins their class on the official start date of the term.
Scholarships
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.
Scholarships
CIS offers a “Talent Scholarship” programme (grades 6 to 11) and other transition-based scholarships covering a portion of tuition fees. The Talent Scholarship is valued at up to VND 33 billion for the 2025-2026 cycle and is open to students who demonstrate academic, artistic or sports excellence. Applicants must submit evidence of previous achievement, sit any required tests and apply by the stated deadline. Scholarship awards are applied to the tuition fee (percentage discount) and are subject to renewal conditions and school policy.
Waitlist
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.
Waitlist
CIS does not publicly specify an official wait-list or “pool” system in its admissions documentation.
