British Vietnamese International School Ho Chi Minh City

BVIS HCMC sits at 44-46 Street 1, Binh Hung, Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The campus is located in the Binh Chanh suburb, providing a quieter, more spacious environment compared with the city centre. While slightly removed from the central business districts, it is accessible by car or organised transport, and offers a more campus-style setting in Ho Chi Minh City.

The school is structured into Early Years (starting around age 2), Primary (approx ages 5–11) and Secondary (ages 11–18) including Sixth Form/A-Level study. This means children can remain in one school community from early years through to university preparation.

BVIS HCMC is a co-educational day school.

The school offers tailored additional learning support including English as an Additional Language (EAL) programmes and Vietnamese as an Additional Language (VAL). For students with mild additional educational needs (“inclusion”) there is an Inclusion team that works with class teachers to provide personalised support in small-group settings.

BVIS HCMC is based in Vietnam and operates as an international school within the country. It does not function as an overseas branch of a foreign national government but follows an internationally recognised curriculum with a bilingual Vietnamese-English pathway.

The school has no stated religious affiliation and is non-denominational in its educational approach.

The regular school day runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:05 p.m., with designated break and lunch periods depending on the year group. Students typically arrive before 8:30 a.m. for registration and morning activities, and after-school clubs or co-curricular programmes are available on certain days.

BVIS HCMC operates a comprehensive school-bus service for families across Ho Chi Minh City. The service is managed by a contracted transport provider, offering multiple pick-up and drop-off points, seat-belt-equipped coaches, and supervision staff on board. Details about routes, timings and fees are shared with families through the school’s admissions and parent information channels.

Students in Early Years (ages 2-5) follow the British EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) programme delivered bilingually in English and Vietnamese. For Primary (ages 5-11) the school blends the National Curriculum for England with the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), also integrating Vietnamese language and culture. In Secondary Years 7-9 (ages 11-14) students follow the National Curriculum for England, preparing for Upper Secondary. For Years 10-11 (ages 14-16) students study the internationally-recognised Cambridge IGCSE qualifications. Finally, in Years 12-13 (ages 16-18) students specialise in their chosen subjects and study the Cambridge International A Levels.

BVIS HCMC promotes students’ personal and social development through a supportive pastoral structure. Teachers and tutors provide regular opportunities for students to discuss emotions, relationships, and empathy as part of daily class life. The school encourages respect, inclusion, and self-awareness across all age groups, helping students develop positive interpersonal skills and resilience. Social and emotional learning is embedded within the broader bilingual curriculum and reinforced through classroom practices and group activities. The school does not publish a dedicated SEL curriculum document or framework.

BVIS HCMC offers inclusion support for students with additional educational needs through its Learning Support team. Teachers receive guidance to differentiate lessons and adapt materials where needed, and individual support plans are used for identified students. The school applies an “assess, plan, do, review” approach to track progress and maintain consistency between teachers and families. BVIS HCMC supports students with mild to moderate learning difficulties but is not a specialist SEN institution.

The school provides structured English language support for non-native speakers through dedicated EAL staff. In Primary, the EAL teacher works closely with class teachers to deliver small-group and in-class language sessions. In Secondary, students receive targeted English support alongside their mainstream curriculum, with periodic assessments to monitor progress. The school also offers Vietnamese as an Additional Language (VAL) for students learning Vietnamese as a second language.

The school states that student health, safety, and wellbeing are a core priority. Pastoral care is delivered through teachers and tutors who maintain communication with parents and monitor students’ wellbeing. Students are encouraged to speak with staff about any personal or social concerns. The website does not list a dedicated counselling service or formal mental-health department.

BVIS HCMC outlines safeguarding and child-protection responsibilities as central to its operations. Staff recruitment materials indicate compliance with international safeguarding standards, including background checks and child-protection training.

1. Enquiry
Families begin the process by contacting the school’s Admissions Team, who provide information about the programmes and answer initial questions. Parents are invited to schedule a visit to learn more about the school’s approach, facilities, and community.

2. Guided Campus Tour
A guided tour allows families to see the campus either in person or virtually. During the visit, staff highlight learning spaces and explain the school’s bilingual approach and daily routines. This step helps families decide whether the school environment fits their child’s needs.

3. Submit Application Form
Parents complete the online application form and pay the required application fee. BVIS HCMC accepts applications throughout the year, although early submission is encouraged to ensure placement availability.

4. Placement
All applicants participate in an interview and entrance assessment suited to their age group. For younger children, assessments may include informal play-based activities. The school reviews each applicant’s results and determines the most suitable year placement.

5. Securing Your Child’s Place
Once an offer of admission is made, parents confirm acceptance by paying the registration fee and security deposit. This step officially secures the student’s place in the school.

6. Enrolment and Orientation
Before starting classes, new students and families attend an orientation session. The programme helps students become familiar with their teachers, routines, and classmates, ensuring a comfortable transition into the BVIS community.

BVIS HCMC offers “The 1 Scholarship Programme” for Secondary School (ages 11–16, Years 7-12) for the 2025-2026 year. The scholarship includes a 100% waiver of the application fee, a 100% waiver of the registration fee, and up to 20 % tuition fee reduction for the year. It is applicable for one academic year only and does not cover the security deposit, uniform, bus, trips or extra-curricular fees. Applicants submit evidence of academic and extra-curricular achievement and attend an assessment and interview.

The school does not publicly detail a formal waitlist or pool system in its admissions information.