Vietnam (VN)

Vietnam is a dynamic, rapidly developing Socialist Republic stretching 1,650km down the eastern coast of the Indochinese Peninsula — a country of extraordinary geographical diversity, from the karst mountains of the north and the Red River Delta, through the stunning coastline of the Central region, to the vast Mekong Delta in the south.

Capital: Hanoi

Region: Asia

Language: Vietnamese

Currency: VND (₫)

Cost of living: Very affordable (index 22)

Emergency: 113

Education & Schools

Schools, universities, and language courses in Vietnam.

👶 Childcare & Kindergarten

Nhà Trẻ (Nursery) — Public VND 150,000–400,000/month at public nurseries

Age: 3 months – 36 months

Subsidy available

Government subsidises public nursery fees. Children of workers in industrial zones may access employer-supported nurseries at highly reduced rates.

Apply at local phường (ward) education office. Bring birth certificate, health certificate, household registration (hộ khẩu) or temporary residence card. Waitlists common in urban areas.

Mẫu Giáo (Kindergarten) — Public VND 200,000–600,000/month

Age: 3–6 years

Subsidy available

Heavily subsidised. Some areas provide free public kindergarten for 5-year-olds (universal pre-primary education policy). Meals, activities and facility fees are additional.

Register at the nearest public kindergarten via local education office. Temporary residents with valid residence registration (KT3) can enroll in public kindergartens in HCMC and Hanoi.

⏱️ Good public kindergartens have waitlists — register early (6–12 months before intended start).

International/Bilingual Preschool VND 5,000,000–25,000,000/month depending on curriculum and location

Age: 18 months – 6 years

Apply directly to school. Most accept rolling admissions. Assessment/trial day common for older children. Popular options: Kinderworld, Tiny Learners, BVIS Early Years, British International School Early Years, Saigon Star International School.

🏫 Schools

Public Primary School (Trường Tiểu Học) Free

Trường Tiểu Học

Ages: 6–11 years (Grades 1–5) · Language: Vietnamese

Based on catchment area — children attend the school in their registered residence zone. Temporary residents can apply to the district education office. Document: birth certificate (translated), passport/temporary residence card, health certificate. Term: September–May. Class sizes: 35–45 students. English is taught as a compulsory subject from Grade 3 under the 2018 National Curriculum reform.

Not appropriate for most expat children without Vietnamese language ability. Children of expats predominantly attend international or bilingual schools.

Public Lower Secondary (THCS) and Upper Secondary (THPT) Free

Trường Trung Học Cơ Sở (THCS) / Trường Trung Học Phổ Thông (THPT)

Ages: 11–18 years (Grades 6–12) · Language: Vietnamese

Same residence-based catchment system as primary. National examination for upper secondary admission (vào lớp 10). Increasingly competitive in HCMC and Hanoi for good public high schools. Expat children typically continue at international schools through to IGCSE/IB/AP completion.

International Schools

Vietnam has a well-developed international school sector concentrated in HCMC and Hanoi, with growing presence in Da Nang. Major international schools: HCMC: British International School HCMC (BIS), RMIT Vietnam, European International School HCMC (EIS), Saigon South International School (SSIS), International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC), Australian International School (AIS), Renaissance International School. HANOI: British Vietnamese International School (BVIS), Hanoi International School (HIS), United Nations International School Hanoi (UNIS Hanoi), Singapore International School Hanoi, Concordia International School. DA NANG: Horizon International School. Curriculum options: British (IGCSE, A-Level), IB (PYP, MYP, DP), American (AP, Common Core), Australian. Fees (2025/26 verified): Premium IB/British schools — UNIS Hanoi grades 1–5 USD 31,940/year, grades 11–12 USD 38,210/year; ISHCMC VND 681.9M–959M/year (approx. USD 27,000–38,000); BIS similar tier. Budget and mid-range international schools: USD 10,000–20,000/year. Capital levy/building fee: USD 2,000–15,000 one-time. Waitlists at top schools can be 1–2 years. Apply early — as soon as you know your move date. Many employers provide school fee allowances as part of expat packages.

University

Tuition fee

Public universities: VND 10,000,000–40,000,000/year depending on programme and university. English-medium programmes: VND 40,000,000–150,000,000/year. RMIT Vietnam: AUD 20,000–25,000/year. Foreign children of expats may access Vietnamese public universities at the same rates as Vietnamese nationals with proper residence documentation.

Semester fee

N/A — Vietnamese universities charge by credit or by semester (see tuition fee above)

Student visa

Student visa (DH category) required for full-time international students enrolled in Vietnamese universities. Sponsored by the university. Duration matches course length. Study permit and temporary residence registration required.

Health insurance

Full-time students at Vietnamese universities must enroll in BHYT (student health insurance) at VND 900,000–1,800,000/year, providing coverage at public hospitals. International students at private/international institutions typically use private health insurance.

Application process

National University Entrance Examination (THPT QG) results required for Vietnamese-medium public universities. English-medium and international programmes have separate entrance requirements (IELTS 5.5–6.5 minimum, own entrance test). Major universities: Vietnam National University (VNU — Hanoi and HCMC), Foreign Trade University, University of Economics HCMC, HCMC University of Technology, Banking Academy.

🗣️ Language Courses

Vietnamese Language for Foreigners

Provider: VNU Center for Vietnamese Language and Culture (Hanoi and HCMC) · Duration: 3–6 months per level (6 CEFR-equivalent levels) · Levels: Beginner through advanced. VSTEP examination preparation available.

VND 3,000,000–8,000,000 per module (typically 45–60 hours)

Most professional qualification for Vietnamese language study. Intensive summer courses available.

Private Vietnamese Tutoring

Provider: Private tutors (advertised via expat Facebook groups, tutoring centres) · Duration: Flexible — typically 2–3 sessions/week · Levels: All levels. Customisable to daily life, business or travel Vietnamese needs.

VND 150,000–400,000/hour

Most efficient path for rapid practical Vietnamese — find tutors via Hanoi Expat Network or HCMC Expat Community Facebook groups.

English Language Centres

Provider: IDP, British Council, Apollo English, VUS, Language Link · Duration: 2–4 months per level · Levels: A1 through C2. IELTS preparation widely available.

VND 3,000,000–12,000,000 per course level

For expats needing English certification (teachers), or for Vietnamese family members seeking English improvement.

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