Renaissance International School Saigon vs Singapore International School - Saigon South
Renaissance International School Saigon and Singapore International School - Saigon South are both in Ho Chi Minh City, about 4 km apart. Both schools offer Cambridge IGCSE programmes. Renaissance International School Saigon also offers IB and British, and Singapore International School - Saigon South also offers Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels and Singapore. Published annual fees are ₫189,500,000 - 805,600,000 at Renaissance International School Saigon and ₫280,615,000 - 626,014,000 at Singapore International School - Saigon South, which puts Renaissance International School Saigon roughly 10% higher. Both take pupils from 2 to 18. Both keep typical class sizes around 25.
IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE
Curriculum
Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Singapore Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
500
Pupils
—
Typical class size
Typical class size
25
Typical class size
25
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
2007
Opened
2007
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Renaissance International School Saigon is located at 74 Nguyen Thi Thap, Tan Thuan Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The area is a modern, family-friendly district known for its international schools and residential communities. It is well-connected to central Ho Chi Minh City by major roads and bridges, and is close to shopping centres, cafés, and recreational areas.
Location
Singapore International School @ Saigon South is located at 29 Street No. 3, Trung Son Residential Area, Hamlet 4, Binh Hung Commune, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The campus sits in a quiet residential neighborhood close to the Phu My Hung urban area, about 20 minutes from District 1 by car. It is easily accessible via main city roads and is well connected to nearby family communities in Saigon South.
Stages
Stages
The school educates students from Early Years (age 2) through to Year 13 (age 18). It is divided into Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, and Sixth Form, offering a continuum from the IB PYP to IGCSE and the IB Diploma Programme.
Stages
The school provides a continuous educational pathway from Pre-School through High School. It begins with Pre-School for children from approximately 18 months to below 6 years, followed by Primary and Junior High (Years 1–9), and continues into Senior High with Cambridge IGCSE, AS, and A Level programmes.
School type
School type
Renaissance is a co-educational day school.
School type
Singapore International School @ Saigon South is a co-educational day school.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
—
Pupil nationality mix
—
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
The school provides English as an Additional Language (EAL) support and tailored assistance for students who need extra help with academic progress. Learning support is coordinated through classroom teachers and specialist staff to ensure inclusive participation.
Additional learning support
The school’s learning framework supports students at different stages of English language proficiency through its Integrated and International Programmes. While there is a strong focus on language acquisition and academic support, the school does not publish a dedicated Special Educational Needs (SEN) department or programme.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school follows a British-style international curriculum framework combined with IB programmes, but it is not officially affiliated with any single country.
Country affiliation
The school is part of the KinderWorld Education Group and follows a blend of Singapore and Cambridge curricula. It is not affiliated with any specific country’s national education system.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
The school has no religious affiliations.
Religious affiliation
The school has no religious affiliations.
School day structure
School day structure
The school day typically begins at 8:00 am and finishes around 3:30 pm, with morning and lunch breaks provided. Specific timings vary slightly between Early Years, Primary, and Secondary levels.
School day structure
Classes at Singapore International School @ Saigon South begin at 8:25 am and finish at 4:45 pm. The day starts with a short Form Class session followed by Breakfast, and lessons are scheduled in 45-minute periods throughout the day. Lunch takes place between 11:15 am and 12:45 pm, depending on year level, and there is an afternoon Recess from 2:15 pm to 2:30 pm. The final period is followed by Extra-Curricular Activities (ECAs) from 4:00 pm to 4:45 pm.
Bus service details
Bus service details
The school offers a bus service for students, operated through a contracted provider. The service includes multiple routes across District 7 and other nearby districts, with pick-up and drop-off points arranged for convenience and safety.
Bus service details
The school provides a dedicated bus service for students living in and around Ho Chi Minh City. Routes are organized by residential zones, and each bus has an attendant to assist younger students. Pick-up and drop-off times are scheduled according to location, with fees varying by distance from the campus.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application Fee A one-time, non-refundable application fee is VND 2,000,000 (Early Years–Year 2) or VND 4,000,000 (Year 3–Year 13).
Registration Fee Payable once upon acceptance: VND 25,000,000 (Early Years), VND 40,000,000 (Primary), and VND 55,000,000 (Secondary).
Security Deposit VND 22,000,000 per child, refundable with at least 90 days’ written withdrawal notice before the final school day.
Tuition Fees by Year Group (Annual Amounts)
EARLY YEARS
* Early Years 1 (Half Day): 189,500,000 * Early Years 1 (Full Day): 291,600,000 * Early Years 2 (Full Day): 208,500,000 * Early Years 2 (Full Day, older cohort): 320,700,000 * Early Years 3: 379,800,000
PRIMARY SCHOOL
* Year 1: 491,300,000 * Year 2: 556,800,000 * Year 3: 617,400,000 * Year 4: 617,400,000 * Year 5: 617,400,000 * Year 6: 617,400,000
SECONDARY SCHOOL
* Year 7: 691,000,000 * Year 8: 691,000,000 * Year 9: 691,000,000 * Year 10: 725,900,000 * Year 11: 725,900,000 * Year 12: 805,600,000 * Year 13: 805,600,000
Other Fees
* Meal Fees (annual): Early Years 17,200,000 | Primary 18,800,000 | Secondary 20,400,000 * School Bus (annual): VND 28,900,000 – 38,700,000 depending on distance * Uniforms: Three standard and two PE sets plus cap and school bag provided for new Early Years and Primary students
Payment Schedule & Terms Tuition is billed in advance, payable annually or by term. Annual full payment saves 15%. Late payments incur a 0.05% daily fee. Payments accepted via bank transfer to Standard Chartered Bank (VND) or Shinhan Bank (USD).
Fee details
Application and Registration Fees
* Placement Test Fee: VND 2,940,000 per student (International Programme only) * Registration Fee: VND 21,500,000 per student (International Programme); VND 6,450,000 per student (Kindergarten Programme) * Deposit: VND 15,000,000 per student (International Programme); VND 20,000,000 for Kindergarten 1–2 and VND 26,000,000 for Preparatory Class (termly payment basis)
---
Tuition Fees (2025 Academic Year)
*International Kindergarten (Full Day)*
* Kindergarten 1 & 2: VND 280,615,000 per year / VND 70,154,000 per term * Preparatory: VND 358,797,000 per year / VND 89,700,000 per term
*International Programme (Primary to A Level)*
* Year 1 – Year 3: VND 498,380,000 per year * Year 4 – Year 5: VND 500,688,000 per year * Year 6: VND 502,288,000 per year * Year 7 – Year 8: VND 527,608,000 per year * Year 9 – Year 10 (IGCSE): VND 587,479,000 per year * AS / A Level 1: VND 598,515,000 per year * AS / A Level 2: VND 626,014,000 per year
---
Billing Schedule and Payment Terms
* Fees may be paid annually (one instalment) or termly (four instalments). * Annual payments are due 30 days before the first day of school. * Termly payments follow this schedule:
* 1st term – 35% (before school starts) * 2nd term – 25% (due 14 days before end of term) * 3rd term – 25% * 4th term – 15%
---
Other Costs
* Uniforms, books, e-learning materials, meals, transportation, and insurance are billed separately. * Short-term daily care (Kindergarten 1–2) is VND 1,676,000 per day. * Additional expenses (e.g., field trips, camps, stationery) are paid as incurred.
Refund and Payment Options Refund policies are not detailed in the fee structure. Payments may be made via telegraphic transfer
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
—
Boarding arrangements
—
Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
—
Uniform requirement
—
Food options
Food options
—
Food options
—
House system
House system
—
House system
—
Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
—
Governance and ownership
—
Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
Renaissance International School Saigon offers a comprehensive international curriculum from Early Years through to pre-university level. The Early Years programme follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) framework, focusing on inquiry-based learning and the development of essential early skills. The Primary School continues with the IB PYP, building knowledge through transdisciplinary themes across core subjects. In Lower Secondary, students study a combination of the Cambridge curriculum and the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), which is currently a candidate programme. During Years 10 and 11, students prepare for the Cambridge IGCSE examinations, and in Years 12 and 13, they undertake the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). This progression offers a clear and internationally recognized pathway leading to university study.
Curriculum details
The curriculum at Singapore International School @ Saigon South follows a structured pathway from early childhood through pre-university levels. In the Pre-School years, children follow an inquiry-based programme that blends play, language development, and early numeracy. The Primary and Junior High levels are based on the Singapore Curriculum, with subjects including English, Mathematics, Science, Chinese, and Vietnamese, emphasizing foundational skills and bilingual learning. From Year 9 onward, students transition to the Cambridge International Curriculum, preparing for IGCSE examinations in Years 9–10. The final two years—AS and A Levels—offer internationally recognized qualifications through Cambridge Assessment International Education, supporting progression to global universities. Across all levels, English is the main language of instruction, with Chinese and Vietnamese taught as additional languages.
1. Inquiry and Initial Contact Families begin by contacting the Admissions Office or submitting an online inquiry form. The Admissions team provides detailed information about the school, programmes, and available year levels.
2. Campus Visit and Consultation Parents are invited to visit the school for a campus tour and consultation. During this visit, the Admissions Officer discusses the curriculum, facilities, and placement options suited to the student’s age and background.
3. Application Submission Applicants complete the official application form and submit required documents, including recent school reports, a copy of the student’s passport, and a birth certificate. A non-refundable application fee of VND 2,000,000 (Early Years–Year 2) or VND 4,000,000 (Year 3–Year 13) is payable at this stage.
4. Assessment and Interview Students undergo placement testing and/or an interview depending on their year group. The school uses the results to determine academic readiness and English language support requirements.
5. Offer and Registration Successful applicants receive an offer letter. Once parents accept, they must pay a registration fee (VND 25–55 million depending on level) and a security deposit (VND 22 million) to confirm the place.
6. Orientation and Start The school provides orientation for new students and parents before the term begins to help families integrate smoothly.
Admissions
1. Complete the Application Form Parents begin by submitting the school’s official online application form and providing supporting documentation such as birth certificate, previous academic transcripts, health records and photographs. The application fee is required before the screening process can be scheduled.
2. Screening, Assessment & Placement Applicants to the International Programme undergo assessments in English and mathematics; for those applying to the Integrated Programme, placement tests and age-based screening determine the most suitable year group. Class size limits and year-group availability are taken into account during this step.
3. Decision & Offer Letter Once screening is complete and contingent on space being available, the school issues a formal offer. If the relevant year group is full, the applicant may be placed on a waitlist until a vacancy opens.
4. Enrollment and Payment Upon being offered a place, parents accept the offer, sign the required documents, and pay the required deposit or tuition fee according to the school’s billing schedule before the student begins.
5. Orientation & Final Placement New students are placed in the appropriate class and participate in any orientation activities; older students may have placement interviews to ensure the correct curriculum track is selected.
Scholarships
Scholarships
The school offers Merit Scholarships for Secondary students, covering partial tuition for high-achieving applicants. Awards are based on academic performance, personal achievements, and an interview process. Students must submit additional scholarship application materials, including school transcripts and references. Scholarships are reviewed annually and may be renewed based on continued academic achievement and positive school engagement.
Scholarships
The publicly available information for SIS @ SS does not clearly list a specific scholarship programme open to all applicants.
Waitlist
Waitlist
Renaissance International School Saigon does not publicly mention a waitlist or pool system on its admissions pages. Admissions are processed on a first-come, first-served basis once applications and assessments are complete, subject to space availability.
Waitlist
SIS @ SS operates a waitlist system when a given year group is fully subscribed. Qualified applicants are placed on the waitlist and will be offered a place in the order of availability once a vacancy arises.