International school fees in Ho Chi Minh City span an unusually wide range, from roughly USD 6,000 a year at smaller bilingual primaries to over USD 35,000 a year at the city's flagship IB and British schools. For families relocating in 2026, understanding the structure of these fees, the additional levies that often surprise new arrivals, and the tax treatment under Vietnamese rules can save thousands of dollars per child per year.
This guide breaks down what you actually pay across Ho Chi Minh City's main international schools, what the headline tuition figure leaves out, and how to negotiate where there is room to do so.
How fees are structured in Ho Chi Minh City
Most international schools in the city present an annual tuition figure, but the real first-year cost typically runs 20 to 30 percent higher than that headline number once you add the application fee, registration fee, refundable deposit (in some cases), capital or building levy, technology fee, and meals or transport.
The fee year is generally aligned to the August-to-June academic calendar, with payment due in two to four instalments. Several schools offer modest sibling discounts, typically 5 to 10 percent for the second child and slightly more for the third.
Fee benchmarks across Ho Chi Minh City schools
British Vietnamese International School Ho Chi Minh City
BVIS follows the English National Curriculum and prepares students for IGCSE and A-Level pathways. Annual tuition runs from VND 350m to VND 700m (approximately USD 14,000 to USD 28,000), with primary years at the lower end and Sixth Form at the upper end.
Australian International School Saigon
AIS Saigon offers IB Primary, Middle Years and Diploma programmes alongside the HSC pathway. Tuition typically falls between VND 320m and VND 750m a year (approximately USD 13,000 to USD 30,000) depending on year group, with a separate one-time enrolment fee.
Vietnam Australia International School
VAS is a popular bilingual option with multiple campuses and lower entry-level fees than the fully expat-focused schools. Annual tuition runs roughly VND 150m to VND 380m (approximately USD 6,000 to USD 15,000), making it a strong fit for dual-citizenship families and locals seeking international curricula.
Horizon International Bilingual School
Horizon sits in a similar mid-tier band, with bilingual provision and tuition typically VND 180m to VND 420m per year (approximately USD 7,500 to USD 17,000). Sibling discounts and early payment discounts are usually negotiable.
Western Australia International School System
WASS offers an Australian-aligned bilingual programme. Annual tuition typically falls between VND 200m and VND 450m per year (approximately USD 8,000 to USD 18,000).
La Petite Ecole
La Petite Ecole is the French-curriculum primary school serving Saigon's Francophone community. Annual tuition runs VND 250m to VND 380m (approximately USD 10,000 to USD 15,000) and the school is partly subsidised through the AEFE network.
Hidden costs that catch families off guard
Beyond tuition, factor in the following:
- Application fee: typically VND 5m to VND 15m, non-refundable.
- Registration fee: VND 30m to VND 80m, sometimes refundable, sometimes not.
- Capital or building levy: VND 100m to VND 300m at flagship schools, often paid once at enrolment.
- School bus: VND 30m to VND 60m a year depending on distance from the school.
- Hot meals: VND 25m to VND 45m a year.
- Uniforms, IT devices, learning materials: VND 15m to VND 40m a year.
- Trips and extracurriculars: VND 15m to VND 50m a year for residential trips and after-school activities.
For a family with two children at a flagship school, the all-in first-year cost can comfortably exceed USD 70,000 once these line items are included.
Tax considerations for expat families
If your employer pays your child's school fees directly, the benefit is generally taxable in Vietnam under standard expat tax rules, though some categories of foreign worker (notably diplomatic personnel and certain investor visas) may have specific treatment. Always request that the school issue invoices that match your employment contract's reimbursement language and keep VAT-itemised receipts where applicable.
For families paying out of pocket, there is no school-fee tax deduction under Vietnamese personal income tax rules. However, if your home country offers a credit or deduction for foreign school fees (for example, certain US, UK or Australian arrangements), be sure to retain detailed annual fee statements.
Where there is room to negotiate
Headline tuition is rarely negotiable, but most schools have flexibility on:
- Sibling discounts beyond the published 5 to 10 percent, particularly for three-child families.
- Annual prepayment discounts of 2 to 4 percent.
- Capital levy spreading across two to three years instead of upfront.
- Mid-year admission pro-rata calculations.
Next steps
Compare full fee schedules and parent reviews on the ranking of best schools in Ho Chi Minh City for 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest legitimate international school in Ho Chi Minh City?
VAS, Horizon Bilingual and WASS sit at the lower end of the fee spectrum, typically USD 6,000 to USD 12,000 per year for primary. These are bilingual schools rather than fully expat-focused, but they offer recognised international pathways including Cambridge IGCSE in some campuses.
Are international school fees tax-deductible for expats in Vietnam?
No. Vietnam does not offer a personal income tax deduction for school fees. However, if your employer pays fees directly as part of an expat package, the benefit is taxable to you and should be structured carefully in your employment contract.
How much should I budget all-in for one child at a flagship Ho Chi Minh City international school?
For a flagship British or IB school, plan for USD 30,000 to USD 38,000 in the first year (tuition plus enrolment, capital levy, transport, meals and extras), and roughly USD 27,000 to USD 35,000 in subsequent years.