International School Fees in Vientiane: 2026 Cost Guide for Expat Families

Last reviewed: October 2026 by Emma from ISA. Fee ranges are indicative; always confirm with the school.

Moving to the Lao capital with children means answering one question early: what will school actually cost? This guide to international school fees in Vientiane sets out realistic ranges for 2026, explains why most schools bill in US dollars, and lists the extras that rarely appear on the first fee sheet a school sends you.

The market is small. Vientiane has only a handful of English-medium schools that serve expatriate families, and they differ sharply in price, curriculum and age range. We cover three of them here, one of which takes only young children, and we show you how to turn a fee schedule into an annual budget you can trust.

Vientiane for families: where the schools are and how people live

Vientiane is a quiet, low-rise capital on the Mekong, and most international families arrive through embassies, United Nations agencies, development banks, NGOs, mining and hydropower projects, or regional businesses. Postings are often two to four years, which matters for fees: a one-off enrolment charge feels very different if you stay eighteen months rather than six years.

The city is compact. Most expatriate housing sits in Sisattanak, Saysettha, Chanthabouly and the villages along the river and the main arteries such as Thadeua Road, Kaysone Phomvihane Avenue and Nongbone Road. Vientiane International School is in Saphanthong Tai Village in Sisattanak District, south of the centre. The International School of Laos is on Singha Road in Nongbone Village, Saysettha District, north east of the old town. Distances are short, but traffic thickens at school run times and in the wet season, when some side roads flood. Many families live within fifteen to twenty minutes of their school and use a driver, a tuk tuk arrangement or a school bus where one is offered.

Housing allowances tend to be generous compared with school fee budgets, so it is worth choosing the school first and then looking for a house nearby. That single decision can also save you a transport fee every term.

Curricula on offer in Vientiane

• International Baccalaureate: Vientiane International School describes itself as the only school in Laos accredited to offer all three IB programmes, from the Primary Years Programme through to the IB Diploma.
• English and Lao instruction: the International School of Laos lists both English and Lao as languages of instruction, from nursery through high school, with a general curriculum.
• English-medium early years: Briston International Nursery and Kindergarten teaches in English and focuses on early childhood education for nursery and kindergarten ages.

There is no large British or American curriculum school in the city of the kind you find in Bangkok or Hanoi, so families who want IGCSE or Advanced Placement routes sometimes look at boarding or distance options for the final years. Ask each school directly how it prepares students for university entry abroad.

Schools and what you pay for

Vientiane International School (VIS)

VIS is an independent, not-for-profit day school in Sisattanak District that takes students from age 3 and teaches in English. Its profile states it is the only school in Laos offering all three IB programmes and that it is accredited by both the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Facilities listed include a swimming pool, gym, football pitch, basketball court, laboratories, art and music rooms and a library.

Tip: because VIS is the most expensive option in the city, check whether your employer pays fees directly to the school. Many diplomatic and agency packages do, and the school will often need a sponsor letter before it confirms a place.

International School of Laos

The International School of Laos sits at 23 Singha Road, Nongbone Village, Saysettha District. It covers nursery, preschool, primary, middle and high school, and teaches in both English and Lao. The school puts weight on inter and intra-school competitions in academics, performing arts, fine arts, literature and sports.

Tip: this is the school to look at closely if you want your child to keep real contact with Lao language and classmates, or if you are paying fees yourself and need a lower annual figure. Ask whether fees are quoted in dollars or kip, and which rate applies on the day you pay.

Briston International Nursery and Kindergarten

Briston is an English-medium setting for early years only: nursery and kindergarten. It is not a route through primary or secondary school, so families with a child turning five or six will need to plan the move to a through school. Its stated aim is to bring international early childhood education to families in Laos.

Tip: early years settings often charge by the month or term rather than by the year. Compare like with like by converting everything to an annual cost, including meals and any half-day or full-day difference.

International school fees in Vientiane by stage

None of the three schools publishes a full fee schedule on its profile, so the figures below are indicative ranges built from what families typically report. Treat them as a starting point for a conversation with admissions, not as a quote.

• Nursery and kindergarten (ages 2 to 5): roughly USD 3,000 to 8,000 a year at Briston or the early years sections of the smaller schools; roughly USD 10,000 to 15,000 in the VIS early years programme.
• Primary (ages 6 to 11): roughly USD 4,000 to 9,000 at the International School of Laos; roughly USD 15,000 to 20,000 at VIS.
• Middle and high school (ages 11 to 18): roughly USD 6,000 to 10,000 at the International School of Laos; roughly USD 18,000 to 25,000 at VIS, with the IB Diploma years at the top of the range.

In kip the numbers become very large and move quickly, which brings us to currency. Lao consumer price inflation peaked at roughly 41% year on year in February 2023, which is why several Vientiane schools quote and index their fees in US dollars rather than kip. For a family paid in dollars or euros this is good news: your fees are stable in your own currency. For a family paid locally in kip, the same dollar fee can grow sharply in kip terms from one year to the next.

Extras to budget for on top of tuition:

• Application or registration fee: usually a few hundred dollars, non-refundable.
• Enrolment or capital levy: a one-off charge at some schools, which can run to a few thousand dollars at the top end.
• Deposit: often refundable when your child leaves with proper notice.
• Uniforms and sports kit: modest, but bought locally each year as children grow.
• Transport: school buses or private drivers, typically charged per term or per month.
• Meals and snacks: sometimes included in early years, often extra for older students.
• Exams: IB Diploma registration and subject fees in the final two years.
• Devices and trips: laptops or tablets in upper years, plus residential trips that can involve flights within the region.

Practical advice for budgeting school fees in Vientiane

Ask for the full fee schedule in writing. Request the current year schedule and the policy on annual increases. Ask which charges are one-off, which are annual and which are refundable. In a small market there is often room to ask about sibling discounts or payment by term, and a clear written answer prevents surprises in your second year.

Match the payment currency to your income. If your salary is in dollars, paying a dollar fee is simple. If any part of your income is in kip, ask whether the school accepts kip, at what exchange rate and on which date the rate is fixed. Bank transfers into Laos can carry fees and delays, so allow a margin and keep proof of payment.

Think about the whole stay, not just year one. A family with a three-year-old who expects to stay five years might start at Briston, then move to a through school at five, so you pay two sets of enrolment charges. A family arriving with a teenager should check whether the IB Diploma can be completed before the posting ends. If your employer covers fees, confirm the cap, whether it includes the capital levy, and whether it continues if you extend your contract.

Compare the schools before you commit

Fees are only one part of the decision, so look at curriculum, location and what other families say before you sign. See our ranking of the best international schools in Vientiane Prefecture to compare profiles side by side and contact each school for its current fee schedule.

More guides to schools in Vientiane

• How to choose an international school in Vientiane
• International school admissions in Vientiane
• best international schools in Vientiane Prefecture

Frequently asked questions

Why do international schools in Vientiane charge fees in US dollars?

Most schools moved to dollar pricing because the kip lost value quickly, with inflation peaking at roughly 41% in February 2023. Quoting in dollars protects school budgets for imported materials and foreign staff salaries. For families paid in dollars or euros this keeps fees predictable, but families earning in kip should ask about accepted currencies and exchange rate dates.

Is Vientiane International School worth the higher fees?

It depends on your plans. VIS states it is the only school in Laos offering all three IB programmes and holds CIS and WASC accreditation, which helps students moving on to other IB schools or universities abroad. If your child will stay in Laos long term or you pay fees yourself, a lower cost bilingual school may suit your family better.

Do employers usually pay school fees for expats in Laos?

Many embassy, United Nations, development bank and large company packages include an education allowance, often paid directly to the school. Check the annual cap, whether one-off enrolment or capital charges are covered, and whether the allowance continues if your contract is extended. Families on local contracts usually pay fees themselves and should budget for yearly increases.