The ABC International School (ABCIS) vs The American School
The ABC International School (ABCIS) and The American School are both in Ho Chi Minh City, about 10 km apart. Both schools offer American and IB programmes. The ABC International School (ABCIS) also offers British, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, Australian and Cambridge International AS Levels, and The American School also offers Advanced Placement (AP). Published annual fees are ₫68,500,000 - 290,000,000 at The ABC International School (ABCIS) and ₫131,600,000 - 397,700,000 at The American School, which puts The American School roughly 48% higher. The ABC International School (ABCIS) takes pupils from 2 to 18, and The American School from 1.5 to 18. The ABC International School (ABCIS) is the larger school, with around 790 pupils to The American School's 400. Typical class sizes are 14 at The ABC International School (ABCIS) and 20 at The American School.
British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, Australian Curriculum, American Curriculum, IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge IGCSE
Curriculum
IB (PYP), Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
790
Pupils
400
Typical class size
Typical class size
14
Typical class size
20
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
1995
Opened
2010
Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
The ABC International School (ABCIS) operates in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, with two campuses: Trung Son Campus in Binh Hung Commune, Binh Chanh District, and Nha Be Campus in Nha Be Commune. The Trung Son Campus is located at 152-158 No.1 Street, KDC Trung Son, Binh Hung, Binh Chanh District. The Nha Be Campus is located at No. 2, Street No. 9, KDC Tan An Huy, Nha Be Commune. The campuses are in southern Ho Chi Minh City and provide English-medium instruction within the British curriculum framework.
Location
The school is located at 06 Song Hanh Road, An Phu Ward (Binh Trung Ward), Thu Duc City (District 2), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It is conveniently placed beside the HCM–Long Thanh–Dau Giay Expressway, offering straightforward access from central districts while being in a quieter residential-area of the city.
Stages
Stages
ABCIS serves learners aged 3 to 18, encompassing Early Years, Primary, and Secondary. The Trung Son Campus serves 2–7 years old (Early Years/KS1) and the Nha Be Campus serves 8–18 years old, with the overall school range noted as three to 18 years in the broader overview.
Stages
TAS educates students from 18 months to Grade 12, divided into four main divisions:
Early Childhood Center (Pre-Nursery to Kindergarten, ages 18 months–5 years) Elementary School (Grades 1–5) Middle School (Grades 6–8) High School (Grades 9–12, including Advanced Placement courses)
School type
School type
The ABCIS is an international day school and is non-denominational. There are no boarding facilities published for any year groups.
School type
TAS 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 does not provide formal Special Educational Needs (SEN) support; students with learning difficulties are considered on an individual basis and admission decisions are final based on the school's capacity to support the student.
Additional learning support
TAS offers support for students with mild learning differences. Specialized teachers collaborate with classroom staff to adapt lessons and provide targeted help. Individualized Education Plans may be developed to meet specific student needs. The school advises families to discuss additional learning requirements during the admissions process to ensure appropriate support can be provided.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
There is no formal country affiliation; the school is a Vietnam-based international school that delivers the English National Curriculum.
Country affiliation
The school follows an American-style curriculum and is affiliated with the U.S. model of education, but it is an independent international school in Vietnam.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
Non-denominational; the school has no religious affiliation.
Religious affiliation
The school does not have any religious affiliations.
School day structure
School day structure
The 2025–2026 academic calendar shows term start dates and indicates that some term ends finish at 12:00 noon. For example, End of Term 2 and End of Term 5 finish at 12:00 noon, and Term 1 begins on August 8, 2025.
School day structure
The school day runs from 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. for Early Childhood and Elementary students, and 7:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for Middle and High School students. Students have designated morning snack and lunch breaks, with meals served in the school cafeteria.
Bus service details
Bus service details
ABCIS offers a school bus service; admission materials include a School Bus Liability Form (optional) and a Code of Transportation Form (Secondary Only). Buses are supervised by an adult bus monitor and safety rules apply on transport.
Bus service details
TAS provides a bus service that covers several residential areas across Ho Chi Minh City. Each route is supervised by trained bus monitors to ensure student safety, and attendance is checked during pick-up and drop-off. Families can register for transportation on a term basis, with route information and fees communicated directly to parents.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Registration and Application Fees
- Registration Fee (one-off, non-refundable): amount varies by year group. Parents pay the registration fee when an offer of a place is made; the fee is paid once but is upgraded as the student moves to higher year groups (the difference must be paid on move-up). Example: moving from Nursery to Reception requires an additional VND 9,500,000 to make up the difference.
Refundable Deposit
- Refundable Deposit: a refundable deposit applies for Primary and Secondary year groups (VND 22,000,000 for most Primary and VND 22,000,000 for Secondary), while for several Early Years categories the deposit is listed as not payable. Exact refundable-deposit amounts or 'not payable' status are listed per year group below.
Tuition fees by year group (School Year 2025–2026) — annual and per-instalment amounts
Early Years - Pre-Nursery (Half day) - Registration Fee: VND 14,500,000 - Refundable Deposit: Not payable - Annual Tuition Fee: VND 187,000,000 - Instalment (one of 3): VND 68,500,000
All the numeric fee figures above and the per-instalment amounts are those published for the School Year 2025–2026.
What the tuition covers and what it excludes
- Tuition fee inclusions: uniforms, lunch, and insurance are included within the tuition fee; specific uniform items provided vary by year group (e.g., Pre-Nursery/Nursery receive five sets of uniform—three sets for half-day—plus cap, cardigan, house T-shirt and folder; older year groups receive the list appropriate to their phase).
- Tuition fee exclusions: residential school trips and visits, instrumental (private) music lessons, and school buses are charged separately. Examination fees for public Cambridge examinations are charged in addition to tuition (IGCSE: VND 4,800,000 per subject; AS/A2: VND 5,500,000 per subject). Exam fees are non-refundable.
Uniform and other additional costs
- Where extra uniform pieces or replacements are required, items are available for purchase with published prices (examples): ABCIS Girls T-Shirt VND 170,000–200,000 depending on size, PE T-shirt VND 140,000, cardigan VND 330,000–370,000, school cap VND 100,000, swimsuits from VND 290,000–350,000, and other items listed with individual prices. Students in Nursery–Year 2 require a school bag available from the school for VND 100,000. These uniform-item prices are charged separately when purchased.
Discounts and reductions
- Sibling Discount: 15% off tuition fees for the second, third or fourth child enrolled from the same family. - Loyalty Discount: 5% off tuition fees for students enrolled for at least three consecutive full academic years (applies where sibling discount does not). - Maximum discount cap: no individual pupil may receive more than 15% discount except scholarship winners.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Payment cadence: Fees can be paid either annually in one lump sum or by three instalments. - Annual-payment reduction: Annual lump-sum payment is approximately 10% cheaper than paying by instalments; to qualify the annual payment must be received on or before 1 August 2025 for the 2025–2026 year. - Instalment due dates for 2025–2026 are: - First instalment: on or before 1 August 2025 - Second instalment: on or before 5 November 2025 - Third instalment: on or before 4 March 2026 - Late payment: any late payment after 15 working days will attract a penalty surcharge of 5% added to the outstanding balance. - Non-payment: the school reserves the right to refuse admission or continued attendance for non-payment of tuition fees.
Refunds and deposit returns
- Tuition fee refund on withdrawal: a parent/guardian must submit notice of withdrawal by the published deadline to be eligible for a partial refund. For the 2025–2026 academic year the published refund rules are: - Departure date November 5, 2025 — notice on or before September 4, 2025: refund = Annual Fee minus 1 instalment - Departure date March 4, 2026 — notice on or before November 21, 2025: refund = Annual Fee minus 2 instalments - Any time after March 4, 2026: no refund - There is no refund for any part of a single paid fee term instalment.
- Refundable deposit return: deposit refunds follow set notice-and-refund dates; for 2025–2026 the published schedule links the departure day, the latest date to give notice and the date the deposit will be refunded (example: for a November 5, 2025 departure, notice must be given on or before September 4, 2025 and the deposit refund date is November 5, 2025).
Examination and specialist charges
- IGCSE examination charge: VND 4,800,000 per subject. - AS and A2 examination charge: VND 5,500,000 per subject. - The school may apply additional charges for specialist materials in practical subjects where such materials are outside the normal curriculum (charges are applied in addition to exam fees and tuition). Exam fees are non-refundable.
Boarding
- Boarding is not offered; The ABC International School operates as a day school and does not publish boarding provisions or boarding fees. Parents should treat all fee items above as day-school fees.
Fee payment channels and contact for payments
- The published fee information specifies payment frequency (annual or three instalments) and due dates but does not list detailed payment channels (e.g., bank-account details or card payment options) in the public fee schedule. Parents arrange fee payment with the school office using the school's admissions/contact channels (office@theabcis.com, +84 (0)28 7308 1828).
Fee details
Application Fee An Application Fee of VND 18,000,000 is required when submitting an application form. This fee includes any mandatory assessments. It is deducted from the tuition payment if the student enrolls. It is refundable only if the student does not pass the placement test, but non-refundable if the student passes and chooses not to enroll.
Registration Fee A non-refundable Registration Fee is payable within five working days of acceptance. It is a one-time payment confirming the student’s place. The amount varies by division: VND 30,000,000 for Early Childhood, VND 40,000,000 for Elementary, and VND 55,000,000 for Middle and High School.
Tuition Fees (Annual / Semester)
* Early Childhood: From VND 239,800,000 (Pre-Nursery) to VND 295,100,000 (Pre-Kindergarten) per year. * Elementary: From VND 330,400,000 (Kindergarten) to VND 540,500,000 (Grade 5) per year. * Middle School:VND 602,400,000 (Grades 6–8) per year. * High School: From VND 668,200,000 (Grades 9–10) to VND 723,500,000 (Grades 11–12) per year. * English as an Additional Language (EAL):VND 37,600,000–47,800,000 per year depending on level.
Tuition is billed by semester or annually.
Other Costs
* Bus Service: Annual fees range from VND 13,900,000 (Thao Dien/An Phu route) to VND 53,100,000 (Binh Duong/Bien Hoa/Long Thanh route). A 40% sibling discount applies to the second child. * Lunch Fee: Annual meal plans range from VND 15,100,000 (Middle/High School) to VND 25,800,000 (Primary). * Uniforms and materials are additional costs, billed separately.
Refunds and Payment Terms Refunds apply only as stated under application conditions. Payment can be made via bank transfer or credit card. Families may choose annual or semester billing.
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
—
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 ABC International School follows the English National Curriculum and delivers all instruction in English. Early Years covers Pre-Nursery, Nursery and Reception, followed by Primary (Key Stages 1–2) and Secondary (Key Stage 3) leading to IGCSEs in Key Stage 4. In the Senior Phase, students study International AS and A Levels (Cambridge) with AQA options, and the College Board's AP programme is available. Language provision includes Vietnamese in Primary, with options to study French and Chinese in Secondary. The curriculum is complemented by an ECA Programme, and ABCIS is accredited by Cambridge International Examinations to deliver IGCSEs and AS/A Levels and is a FOBISIA member.
Curriculum details
The American School (TAS) follows a U.S.-based curriculum aligned with American Education Reaches Out (AERO) and Common Core standards. The program spans from Early Childhood through Grade 12, emphasizing academic, creative, and personal development across all stages. In Elementary School, students study core subjects such as English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies alongside Art, Music, Physical Education, and World Languages. Middle School builds on these foundations through an integrated approach that prepares students for advanced study. In High School, students work toward a U.S. High School Diploma and may take Advanced Placement (AP) courses in subjects such as English, Mathematics, Sciences, and World Languages. Instruction is delivered entirely in English, with additional support for English language learners and courses in French, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese Studies.
1. Schedule a visit to the school. To begin, you should complete the inquiry form so a member of the Admissions Team can contact you, and you may also call the school to arrange a visit. The school provides a form online to request a visit, and staff will follow up to set up a time that fits your schedule. This initial contact is the first step toward arranging the entrance assessments and interview.
2. Prepare for and undergo entrance assessments and an interview. A decision on admission is made after the candidate completes entrance assessments and an interview with a member of the Senior Management Team. Interviews must be arranged in advance through the office administration. The interview evaluates educational ability, English language proficiency, and experience across curriculum areas; if a class is full, your child's name may be placed on a waiting list and you will be informed if a place becomes available.
3. Submit required documents and complete the admission form. If you secure an interview, you are expected to answer questions and complete an admission form during the process, including signing a declaration accepting school rules, regulations, and policies. To request an admission interview, you must provide a completed application form, the most recent school report, a copy of the student's passport or birth certificate (Vietnamese nationals), and one photograph. After a placement offer is made, additional documents are required (see Step 4).
4. Accept an offer and finalize placement. When a placement offer is made, parents/guardians have one week to complete all necessary documentation and pay the required fees to secure the place. Late responses or payments may result in the place being offered to another student. Following a placement offer, the school requires documents such as the Home School Agreement, Internet and Mobile Usage Agreement, Vaccination Record, and other forms (IGCSE/A Level Option Form for Year 10+, Code of Transportation for Secondary).
5. Understand placement criteria and policy requirements. Students are placed primarily by age, but other factors such as previous educational experience, maturity, and English language ability are also considered. The school does not provide Special Educational Needs (SEN) support for students with learning difficulties; such cases are considered individually if the school can provide appropriate support, with the management's decision being final. Parents are expected to commit to annual school trips and to accept all school rules, regulations, and policies to safeguard welfare and safety; the school reserves the right to cancel a registration if rules are not followed.
Admissions
1. Consultation Families begin by scheduling a consultation with the Admissions Office to discuss available programs, grade placement, and the child’s suitability for TAS. This step helps determine whether the school’s curriculum and support services align with the student’s needs.
2. Required Application Documentation Parents must submit all completed application forms, previous school records, copies of the student’s passport or ID, and other requested documents. The application is only reviewed once all materials are received.
3. Placement Assessment (if applicable) Students may be required to complete an academic or English language assessment to determine the most suitable grade level and any additional learning support needs. This step ensures accurate placement within TAS programs.
4. Admission Decision Once documentation and assessments are reviewed, families receive a formal admission decision. If accepted, the school provides written confirmation and details about enrollment procedures and payment deadlines.
5. Enrollment Parents confirm their child’s place by completing the enrollment form and submitting the signed agreement. At this stage, families receive orientation and academic year information.
6. Registration Fee To finalize enrollment, families must pay the non-refundable Registration Fee, which confirms the student’s placement and allows for an official start date.
Scholarships
Scholarships
Scholarships are available through The ABC International School. There are up to three Sixth Form scholarships for tuition fee remission during Years 12 and 13, awarded to the top performing students based on IGCSE results (minimum eight subjects). Award 1 provides 50% of Year 12-13 tuition fees, Award 2 provides 33.33% of tuition fees, and Award 3 provides 16.66%. Eligibility requires two consecutive years of study at ABCIS, with performance criteria maintained throughout Years 12 and 13. The school also reserves the right to determine award allocation if multiple students have identical scores. In addition, there are Sixth Form Graduation Grants for travel and equipment expenses, with awards of up to US$5,000 (Grant 1) or US$3,000 (Grant 2), subject to meeting the stated conditions. Recipients must be full-time in the Sixth Form and have secured entry to a leading university, with documentation endorsed by their tutor.
Scholarships
TAS does not list formal scholarship or financial aid programs on its official website. However, the school occasionally promotes scholarship or tuition discount opportunities through its official social media channels, typically tied to specific academic years or special initiatives. These offers vary by year and are announced directly through official communications rather than a standing scholarship program.
Waitlist
Waitlist
Yes. If a particular class is full, a student's name may be entered onto a waiting list, and parents will be informed accordingly if places become available.
Waitlist
TAS does not publicly state that it operates a waitlist or pool system.
