Renaissance International School Saigon vs The Canadian International School
Renaissance International School Saigon and The Canadian International School are both in Ho Chi Minh City, about 3 km apart. Both schools offer IB programmes. Renaissance International School Saigon also offers British and Cambridge IGCSE, and The Canadian International School also offers Advanced Placement (AP) and Canadian. Published annual fees are ₫189,500,000 - 805,600,000 at Renaissance International School Saigon and ₫531,600,000 - 804,000,000 at The Canadian International School, which puts The Canadian International School roughly 34% higher. Renaissance International School Saigon 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 Renaissance International School Saigon's 500. Typical class sizes are 25 at Renaissance International School Saigon and 21 at The Canadian International School.
IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE
Curriculum
IB (DP), Advanced Placement (AP), Canadian Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
500
Pupils
1,700
Typical class size
Typical class size
25
Typical class size
21
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
2007
Opened
2009
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
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 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 education from elementary through to high school.
School type
School type
Renaissance 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 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
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 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 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
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
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 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 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 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).
* 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
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
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. 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. 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
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
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
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
CIS does not publicly specify an official wait-list or “pool” system in its admissions documentation.
