International School Ho Chi Minh City - Secondary Campus vs Saigon South International School (SSIS)
International School Ho Chi Minh City - Secondary Campus and Saigon South International School (SSIS) are both in Ho Chi Minh City, about 9 km apart. Both schools offer IB programmes, and Saigon South International School (SSIS) also offers Advanced Placement (AP), American and Bespoke. Published annual fees are ₫849,400,000 - 959,000,000 at International School Ho Chi Minh City - Secondary Campus and ₫479,212,000 - 882,200,000 at Saigon South International School (SSIS), which puts International School Ho Chi Minh City - Secondary Campus roughly 33% higher. International School Ho Chi Minh City - Secondary Campus takes pupils from 11 to 18, and Saigon South International School (SSIS) from 3 to 18. The two are similar in size, at around 1,400 and 1,500 pupils. Typical class sizes are 18 at International School Ho Chi Minh City - Secondary Campus and 14 at Saigon South International School (SSIS).
IB (DP), Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
1,400
Pupils
1,500
Typical class size
Typical class size
18
Typical class size
14
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
2017
Opened
1997
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
The Secondary Campus is located in the Thảo Điền neighbourhood of Thu Đức City (District 2), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It lies in a well-connected area with access to many expatriate housing neighbourhoods and is about 15 minutes from the city centre. Bus routes cover multiple districts and the campus is part of the “one community, two campuses” model with the Primary Campus nearby.
Location
SSIS is located at 78 Nguyen Duc Canh, Tân Hưng Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The campus is in the Phú Mỹ Hưng residential zone, a well-planned neighbourhood with lakes, green spaces and local amenities, and is approximately 20 minutes by car from the city centre.
Stages
Stages
The school serves students aged approximately 11 to 18 and is structured for Grades 6-12 (Middle Years and High School). The curriculum follows the IB Middle Years Programme and then the IB Diploma Programme.
Stages
The school serves Early Childhood (starting at age 3) through to Grade 12. It is organised into divisions encompassing Early Years/Kindergarten, Elementary (Grades 1–5), Middle School (Grades 6–8) and High School (Grades 9–12).
School type
School type
It is a co-educational day school.
School type
SSIS 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
The school offers a Student Support and Enrichment team which includes Learning Support for students with mild-to-moderate learning needs, English as an Additional Language (EAL) support and counselling. Individual learning plans (IEPs) are used where required.
Additional learning support
The school offers Learning Support services for students with mild to moderate learning differences, working with parents and teachers to develop individual learning plans. It also offers English as an Additional Language (EAL) support for multilingual learners.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school is international with no formal affiliation to a specific national system.
Country affiliation
There is no formal affiliation to a particular national government. SSIS operates as a not-for-profit international school based in Vietnam, following an American standards-based curriculum.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
The school has no religious affiliations.
Religious affiliation
The school has no religious affiliations.
School day structure
School day structure
While the exact daily times are not detailed on publicly available pages, the school operates a regular day schedule with morning advisory, class blocks, a lunch break and co-curricular activities after lessons.
School day structure
Specific published times are not detailed on the school's website.
Bus service details
Bus service details
The school operates a bus service for students aged 4 years and older, covering many districts of Ho Chi Minh City including District 1, District 2, District 3, District 4, District 5, Bình Thạnh, Tân Bình, Gò Vấp and Thu Đức. There is also a complimentary shuttle service between the Primary and Secondary campuses for eligible families.
Bus service details
SSIS provides a bus service for students. Each bus has an assigned monitor to ensure students board and alight safely. For after-school activities (ASAs), special bus departures are scheduled (for example at 4:10 pm and 4:40 pm) with an extra charge for ASA-only riders.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application and Enrolment Fees A non-refundable application fee and registration fee are payable upon admission. These fees cover processing and administrative costs related to enrolment.
Tuition Fees For the 2025–2026 academic year, tuition fees vary by grade:
* Grades 6–8: VND 849,400,000 per year (or VND 437,400,000 per semester / Term 1: 315,100,000 / Term 2: 225,100,000 / Term 3: 225,100,000 / Term 4: 135,100,000). * Grades 9–10: VND 888,200,000 per year (or VND 457,400,000 per semester / Term 1: 329,500,000 / Term 2: 235,400,000 / Term 3: 235,400,000 / Term 4: 141,200,000). * Grades 11–12: VND 959,000,000 per year (or VND 493,900,000 per semester / Term 1: 355,800,000 / Term 2: 254,100,000 / Term 3: 254,100,000 / Term 4: 152,500,000).
Billing Schedule and Payment Terms Fees are billed per semester or per term, with due dates typically on 1 July 2025, 1 October 2025, 1 December 2025, and 1 March 2026.
Boarding The school does not offer boarding facilities; all students attend as day students.
Other Costs Additional costs include school uniforms, technology devices, transport (optional bus service), and some extracurricular activities.
Refunds and Payment Options Refunds follow the school’s admissions and withdrawal policy. Payments are accepted via bank transfer; other methods may be arranged upon request through the school’s finance office.
Fee details
* Application Fee: VND 10,000,000 (one-time, non-refundable, per new student). * Registration Fee: VND 60,000,000 (one-time, non-refundable, per new student, also applies to returning students re-enrolling after one or more years).
Enrollment Deposit
* Deposit: VND 45,000,000. * Payable upon signing the Letter of Acceptance (new students). * Deducted from the tuition invoice (from full payment or Q4 installment). * Refundable if a Departure Notice is given at least 60 days before leaving.
* Quarterly Installments: All installments are non-refundable. * Late enrollment: Tuition charged pro-rata (100%, 85%, 60%, 35% depending on entry quarter). * Refunds: Departure > 60 days = partial refund based on quarter (60% in Q1 → 0% in Q4). * Sibling Discount: 20% for third and subsequent children in the same family.
Other Costs Families cover uniforms, lunches, personal supplies, AP & IB exam fees, extracurriculars (athletics, VEX Robotics, debate, performing arts), and bus transport. Students in Grades 4–12 must bring a MacBook.
Payment Options Payments can be made via Vietcombank (Nam Sai Gon Branch) or Standard Chartered Bank (Vietnam) in VND or USD. All bank charges are borne by the payer, and an exchange rate applies to foreign currency transfers.
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 International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) Secondary Campus follows the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework across all year levels. Students in Grades 6–10 study the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), which integrates subjects such as Language and Literature, Mathematics, Sciences, Individuals and Societies, Design, Arts, and Physical and Health Education. From Grades 11–12, students undertake the IB Diploma Programme (DP), which leads to the globally recognized IB Diploma qualification. The DP includes six subject groups and a core component of Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS). Language learning, technology integration, and service are emphasized across all stages, and English is the main language of instruction. The curriculum prepares students for international university entry and supports diverse academic and personal pathways.
Curriculum details
Teaching and learning at SSIS follow an American-standards based framework across Early Childhood through Grade 12, emphasising inquiry, student engagement and critical thinking. In the Elementary School, a written curriculum provides integrated “Super Units” that connect subjects such as English, Maths, Science, Social Studies, Arts and Vietnamese, while specialist teachers support subjects like Visual Art, Drama, Music and Physical Education. In Middle School, students move into discipline-based classes, expanding their study of modern world languages, mathematics, science and humanities. In High School (Grades 9-12), students can pursue the high school diploma pathway with a choice of Advanced Placement (AP) courses or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) alongside the SSIS Diploma. The program of studies shows that students earn credits by subject area and can select pathways that match their future study plans.
1. Submit Your Application Families begin the process by completing the school’s online application form. Required documents include the student’s personal information, recent school reports, and relevant academic or health records. Supporting documents help the admissions team understand the applicant’s background and readiness.
2. Assessment and Interview Applicants complete an age-appropriate academic assessment and take part in an interview. This step helps the school understand each child’s learning style, English proficiency, and overall suitability for the IB curriculum. Assessments are designed to ensure students can access the school’s programmes successfully.
3. Receive an Offer Once assessments and interviews are reviewed, the school notifies families of the admission decision. Successful applicants receive an offer letter outlining placement details, conditions (if applicable), and fee payment information. The admissions office remains available to guide families through the following administrative steps.
4. Confirm Enrolment Families confirm acceptance by submitting the required documents and arranging fee payments by the specified deadlines. This step secures the student’s place and allows preparation for orientation and the start of school.
Admissions
1. Inquiry and Application Submission Families begin by completing the online application form and uploading all required documents. An application fee of VND 10,000,000 is payable at this stage. Applicants in Early Childhood to Kindergarten complete a developmental observation, while Grades 1–12 complete written assessments in English and mathematics.
2. Assessment and Interview Following the initial review, students may be invited for additional testing or an interview to determine English proficiency and overall readiness. The Admissions Office evaluates prior school records, assessment results, and whether the school can meet the student’s learning needs.
3. Decision and Offer After review, applicants may receive an offer of admission, be placed on the waiting list, or be declined. Accepted families receive a formal Letter of Acceptance, which must be signed and returned along with a completed health form.
4. Payment and Enrollment To secure a place, families must pay the required enrollment deposit and tuition (or first installment) by the due dates listed in the fee schedule. All payments must be completed before the student’s first day of class.
5. Orientation and Start New students and parents are invited to attend orientation sessions before the start of the academic year in August. Middle and High School students also meet with a counselor to confirm course selections and discuss academic planning.
6. Rolling Admissions Applications are accepted year-round, although placement is based on space availability. Families seeking entry in August are encouraged to begin the process by January of the same calendar year.
Scholarships
Scholarships
The school does not publicly disclose any scholarship or bursary programme on its website. All students are subject to the standard admissions and tuition fee policies.
Scholarships
SSIS offers the annual Lawrence S. Ting Scholarship for one Vietnamese student entering Grade 10 who has only attended local Vietnamese schools. The scholarship is renewable for up to three years, is awarded on the basis of academic excellence, English proficiency, interest in global/international affairs and service to others. The application timeline begins in December and features a written test, group discussion and interview rounds, with winners announced in May.
Waitlist
Waitlist
The school does not publicly state that it operates a waitlist or pool system.
Waitlist
SSIS operates a wait-pool (waiting list) system. Qualified applicants whose grade level is full are placed on the waiting list until space becomes available. Admission thereafter depends on space and on the candidate meeting requirements.
