Lycee Francais Alexandre Yersin, Hanoi
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$6K - US$8K
Curriculum: French
Age Range: 3-18
Students: 1,100+
Location: Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Updated April 2026
In Brief
LFAY is the obvious and only choice for French-speaking families in Hanoi - the fees are by far the lowest of any credible international school in the city, and the exam results leave nothing to prove.
The Lycee Francais Alexandre Yersin has been running in Hanoi since 1982, making it one of the city's oldest international schools. It is a directly-managed AEFE school - meaning it is run as a decentralised department of the French government's overseas education agency rather than a franchise or fee-collecting private operator. That structure keeps tuition low: 2025-26 fees run from roughly VND 139 million for maternelle to VND 192 million for terminale, which is a fraction of what comparable city schools charge. For French-speaking families arriving on diplomatic or corporate postings, it is the default choice without much need for deliberation.
Academic results are consistent and unambiguous. A 100% Baccalaureat pass rate and 98.5% Brevet pass rate are the kind of figures that require sustained institutional effort to maintain. The school serves over 1,100 students from kindergarten through to terminale in a purpose-built building inaugurated in 2018, run by a management team of over 160 people. Instruction follows the French national curriculum in French, with Vietnamese as an additional language.
The school is explicitly designed for French-curriculum families, not a general-purpose international school. Instruction is in French throughout, and the leaving qualification is the French Baccalaureat rather than IB or A-Levels. Families from non-French educational backgrounds should weigh whether a full switch to the French system at primary or secondary level is practical for their children. The Ba Dinh location is convenient for the embassy district and central Hanoi but involves a commute from Tay Ho or the east side.
What parents value
- –Fees are VND 138,905,799 to VND 191,766,357 per year - far below every other international school covered here. The AEFE structure means the school is not run for commercial profit.
- –100% Baccalaureat pass rate and 98.5% Brevet pass rate. The French government curriculum has four decades of consistent delivery in Hanoi behind it.
- –New building inaugurated in 2018, serving 1,100+ students. AEFE directly-managed status means staffing, curriculum, and standards are set centrally by the French education authority.
Points of consideration
- –Instruction is entirely in French. Children who are not fluent in French will face a steep transition period, and the curriculum does not offer a parallel English-language track.
- –The leaving qualification is the French Baccalaureat - recognised globally but less familiar to UK, US, and Australian university admissions teams than IB or A-Levels. Research recognition at your target universities before enrolling at secondary.
- –Places are prioritised for French nationals and families of French-speaking backgrounds. Confirm current availability and admissions criteria directly with the school, as priority may affect wait times for non-French families.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Maternelle (PS-GS) | 3 | NaN |
| Elementaire (CP-CM2) | 6 | NaN |
| College (6e-3e) | 11 | NaN |
| Lycee (2nde-Terminale) | 15 | NaN |
Fees converted from VND. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Registration Fee (non-refundable) | NaN |
Photos
Academic Results
| Baccalaureat Pass Rate | 100% |
| Brevet Pass Rate | 98.5% |
Key results: Baccalaureat Pass Rate 100%, Brevet Pass Rate 98.5%.
Extra Curriculars
Contact the school for details on co-curricular activities and facilities.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
No published inspection details are currently available.
Accreditations
Accreditation details are not publicly listed.
Memberships
Membership details are not publicly listed.
Student Body
Hanoi's international schools draw students from across Vietnam's resident expat community and a growing number of Vietnamese families seeking international qualifications.
Leadership
School leadership
Contact the school for details.