Choosing an international school in Hanoi is a decision that shapes everything from your child's daily commute through the city's busy boulevards to where the family eventually lives. Hanoi has expanded its international school provision rapidly over the past decade, driven by the growth of Vietnamese tech and manufacturing, a large Korean and Japanese expat community, and steady demand from European and North American families on multi-year postings. This 2026 guide breaks down curricula, top schools, fees in US dollars and admissions practicalities.
The Hanoi International School Landscape in 2026
Hanoi's international school market sits in three layers. The first is a small group of long-established, full-IB or fully British schools targeting senior expat packages. The second is a faster-growing tier of mid-priced bilingual and international schools used by Vietnamese professional families and budget-conscious expats. The third is a set of single-nation schools — Japanese, Korean, French, German — serving families from those specific countries. Most expat families end up shortlisting across the first two layers.
Curricula Available in Hanoi
- British (National Curriculum for England): EYFS to A Levels, often with IGCSE in Years 10 and 11.
- International Baccalaureate (IB): PYP, MYP and Diploma. The most portable option for mobile families.
- American: AP-based programmes leading to a US high school diploma.
- Singaporean / Cambridge hybrid: blended curricula with Singapore maths and Cambridge IGCSE.
- French (AEFE): Lycée Français Alexandre Yersin, Brevet and Baccalauréat.
- Japanese / Korean national: for families on rotation from those countries.
The IB tends to travel best across moves; British and American programmes are easier when the next country is already known. Singaporean and Cambridge hybrids have grown popular among families that want strong maths content.
Top International Schools in Hanoi to Shortlist
British International School Hanoi (BIS Hanoi)
Part of the Nord Anglia network, with a large campus in Royal City and a full British curriculum through to A Levels. Profile: BIS Hanoi on ISA.
United Nations International School of Hanoi (UNIS Hanoi)
A long-established IB Continuum school with strong reputation, often the top reference for families considering the IB in Hanoi. Profile: UNIS Hanoi on ISA.
Dwight School Hanoi
An IB World School operating a Continuum programme, part of the Dwight global network with sister schools in New York, London and Seoul. Profile: Dwight School Hanoi on ISA.
Westlink International School
A newer entrant with a Cambridge-aligned international programme, used by families looking for a fresh-build campus with smaller class sizes. Profile: Westlink International School on ISA.
Singapore International School at Van Phuc
An English-medium school following a Singaporean-Cambridge blended curriculum, with strong maths and bilingual options. Profile: Singapore International School at Van Phuc on ISA.
What Schools Cost in 2026
2026 tuition at international schools in Hanoi typically falls into these ranges in US dollars per academic year (excluding capital levies and extras):
- Entry tier (around 7,000 to 13,000 USD): bilingual and smaller international schools, lower year groups.
- Mid tier (around 13,000 to 22,000 USD): established international and bilingual schools, primary and lower secondary.
- Upper tier (around 22,000 to 35,000+ USD): top British, IB and American schools, especially upper secondary and IB Diploma years.
On top of tuition, expect a one-off enrolment fee (often 2,000 to 5,000 USD), an annual capital levy at some schools, bus transport (1,500 to 3,500 USD per year depending on zone), lunch, uniforms, and exam fees in IGCSE, IB and AP years.
Where Hanoi's International Schools Cluster
Most international schools sit either in the Tay Ho / West Lake area (favoured by Western expat families for lifestyle and proximity to embassies), in Ciputra (a master-planned residential compound popular with families with younger children) or in the south, near Royal City and Long Bien. The commute from central Hanoi to a Long Bien or Ciputra school during rush hour can stretch beyond 45 minutes, which is a real constraint for early-start schools. Many families pick their neighbourhood after the school is confirmed, rather than the other way around.
Admissions: What to Prepare and When
For an August 2026 start, the typical timeline is:
- October 2025 to January 2026: applications, school visits, family interviews.
- December 2025 to March 2026: assessments in English and maths (Year 3 and above).
- February to May 2026: offers and contracts.
- June to July 2026: deposits paid, visas and residency confirmed, transport allocated.
Required documents usually include the last two years of school reports, a head-teacher reference, passports, residence card or work-permit progress, and predicted IGCSE or MYP grades for upper-secondary entries. Mid-year entry is common in Hanoi as expat families rotate frequently; most schools take applications all year for places that open up.
How to Narrow Your Shortlist
A workable Hanoi shortlist usually has three to five schools split across two neighbourhoods and two curricula. Four practical filters help: (1) curriculum continuity with the likely next country, (2) commute time in rainy season (April to October), (3) the proportion of native English-speaking peers in the year group, and (4) the school's track record on transitions out, especially university destinations from the IB Diploma or A Level cohort.
Practical Tips for Families New to Hanoi
Three things help. First, visit at least two schools in person before committing; even strong virtual tours miss the daily rhythm of a Hanoi school. Second, ask each school for the average class size in the specific year group your child will join, not the school-wide figure: ranges of 10 to 26 are normal across the city. Third, request the school's secondary leavers' destinations report and read it carefully; it tells you more than any prospectus about real outcomes.
Explore International Schools in Hanoi
For a wider overview of the city's options, see the ISA Ranking of the Best International Schools in Hanoi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which neighbourhood in Hanoi is best for international school families?
Tay Ho / West Lake is the most common choice for Western expat families because of lifestyle, embassies and short commutes to several schools. Ciputra is popular with families preferring a compound environment. Royal City and Long Bien work better for families whose chosen school is in those areas.
How much do international schools in Hanoi cost in 2026?
Tuition ranges from around 7,000 USD per year at the entry tier to over 35,000 USD per year at top British, IB and American schools in upper secondary. Capital levies, transport and exam fees add 10 to 20 percent on top.
When should I apply to international schools in Hanoi?
The main intake for August 2026 runs from October 2025 to February 2026. Mid-year entry is possible at most schools throughout the year because of the high turnover in Hanoi's expat population.