Cities / Saigon / British International School Ho Chi Minh City
British International School Ho Chi Minh City
Nord Anglia school operating across three campuses in Thao Dien, offering British curriculum through IGCSE and IB Diploma from age 2 to 18. Rated outstanding in all categories by the UK government inspectorate and holds the highest IBDP average in…
In brief
BIS HCMC is the largest and most prestigious international school in Vietnam, a Nord Anglia flagship in Thao Dien with three campuses, IGCSE into IBDP, and the strongest IB Diploma results in the country.
Founded by Maurice and Rosie Nguyen in 1997 as a small pre-school, BIS now runs early years and infant, junior, and secondary campuses in Thao Dien, with the junior and secondary buildings linked by a private bridge. Around 2,400 students from over 55 nationalities. The school joined Nord Anglia Education in 2015, which brought Juilliard, MIT, and UNICEF programme links. CIS accredited, BSO outstanding in 2016 and 2019.
Parents speak well of teaching quality, food, and the depth of co-curriculars. The 2025 IB Diploma cohort posted an average of 36.4 against a global 30.6, with twelve students scoring 42 to 44, which is the headline outcome that anchors the school's reputation. Fees are at the top of the HCMC market.
Fees
| Fee | Age | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| FS1 (Age 2) | 2 | Annual | ₫322,000,000 |
| FS2 (Age 3) | 3 | Annual | ₫338,700,000 |
| FS3 (Age 4) | 4 | Annual | ₫503,400,000 |
| Year 1 (Age 5) | 5 | Annual | ₫648,100,000 |
| Year 2-3 (Ages 6-7) | 6 | Annual | ₫705,200,000 |
| Year 4-5 (Ages 8-9) | 8 | Annual | ₫724,100,000 |
| Year 6 (Age 10) | 10 | Annual | ₫724,100,000 |
| Year 7-9 (Ages 11-13) | 11 | Annual | ₫834,700,000 |
| Year 10-11 (Ages 14-15) | 14 | Annual | ₫880,500,000 |
| Year 12-13 (Ages 16-17) | 16 | Annual | ₫956,300,000 |
| Application Fee | One-time | ₫4,700,000 | |
| Registration Fee (Foundation) | One-time | ₫24,500,000 | |
| Security Deposit (refundable) | One-time | ₫24,500,000 | |
| Registration Fee (Primary / Secondary) | One-time | ₫73,300,000 |
Reviews
- Reddit teachers name BIS HCMC the strongest of the city's international schools and one of the most established Nord Anglia campuses in Southeast Asia, sometimes paired with ISHCMC and SSIS at the top.
- One teacher said IBDP averages around 38 points and the school sends students to top Ivy League, Oxbridge and Russell Group universities.
- Selectivity is a recurring theme. One ex-student described entrance exams, classes seated by performance and grades made visible, and said the school is geared toward making students compete.
- Staff turnover on the international side is described as low, with package, accommodation, flights and medical covered; the school is a frequent recruiting target on TES and the Nord Anglia jobs site.
- Family transferring from BSJ Jakarta said BIS HCMC felt stronger than IGCSE elsewhere, but other teachers push back hard on tier-1 framing, saying it is good rather than top-tier.
Head of school
Simon Higham
Simon Higham serves as the Principal of the British International School Ho Chi Minh City, a role he assumed in August 2025, marking a decade of service to the school. He holds a BA (Hons) in History with Education and QTS from the University of Warwick, along with the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH). Simon is a passionate advocate for creative teaching methods and is dedicated to developing both students and staff as lifelong learners. His leadership emphasizes a holistic approach to education across the school's three purpose-built campuses, ensuring that every child flourishes in a warm and nurturing international community.
Accreditations
- Council of International Schools 01
Academic results
- IBDP 2025 average 36.4 (world avg 30.6)
- IGCSE 2025 97% achieved 5+ grades A*-C
- University 70% accepted to top-100 universities worldwide