Cities / Saigon / The Canadian International School Vietnam
The Canadian International School Vietnam
CIS is the only school in Vietnam delivering the Ontario curriculum from kindergarten through Grade 12, with a 39,000 square metre Phu My Hung campus and a dual track Ontario or IB Diploma at the senior end.
In brief
CIS is the only school in Vietnam delivering the Ontario curriculum from kindergarten through Grade 12, with a 39,000 square metre Phu My Hung campus and a dual-track Ontario or IB Diploma at the senior end.
Established in March 2009 by Khoi Nguyen Education with advisory support from the District School Board of Niagara, CIS opened with 165 students in a temporary Phu My Hung site. The current 46 million dollar campus on a five-hectare District 7 plot has been in use since 2014. Around 1,500 students. CIS, COGNIA, and WASC accredited, with the IB Diploma added alongside Ontario.
Parents praise the facilities, the safety culture, and the academic preparation, and the school reports 100 percent IB graduation with average scores comfortably above the world figure. Families pick CIS for the Canadian university pipeline or for IB taught alongside Ontario, with a District 7 location that suits Phu My Hung residents better than the Thao Dien options.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| SK (Kindergarten) | 5 | ₫366,870,000 |
| Grade 1 | 6 | ₫558,180,000 |
| Grade 2 | 7 | ₫558,180,000 |
| Grade 3 | 8 | ₫558,180,000 |
| Grade 4 | 9 | ₫587,580,000 |
| Grade 5 | 10 | ₫587,580,000 |
| Grade 6 | 11 | ₫641,550,000 |
| Grade 7 | 12 | ₫641,550,000 |
| Grade 8 | 13 | ₫641,550,000 |
| Grade 9 | 14 | ₫711,585,000 |
| Grade 10 | 15 | ₫713,265,000 |
| Grade 11 | 16 | ₫777,000,000 |
| Grade 12 | 17 | ₫865,200,000 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment Fee (non-refundable) | ₫3,500,000 | |
| Reservation Fee (non-refundable) | ₫20,000,000 | |
| Registration Fee (non-refundable) | ₫35,000,000 |
Reviews
- Teachers consistently rank CIS Vietnam below the District 7 top tier in Ho Chi Minh City, placing it with second-tier schools rather than UNIS Hanoi or the established British / American options.
- A 2024 post by a current staff member said morale was hit by the appointment of a new high-school principal coming from AISVN, citing alleged unpaid teachers and stripped benefits at the previous school.
- A 2023 discussion asks why the school posts so many vacancies and whether high turnover is a red flag, with multiple respondents telling the poster to look elsewhere.
- Some parents and ex-students reported that an earlier 2010 review was "not that great" and that little had improved by 2013; that historic reputation still shows up in current comments from parents.
- The school's own counter-points centre on the Ontario curriculum delivered Kindergarten to Grade 12, the partnership with the Toronto District School Board since 2014, and the substantial Phu My Hung campus; parent voices in those channels are positive but largely promotional.
Positives
- Curriculum proposition. Ontario K-12 path and the long-running TDSB partnership is the strongest pitch and what the school highlights to families.
- Campus. Sizeable District 7 / Phu My Hung campus is well regarded as a physical asset.
Considerations
- Tier and reputation. Teachers consistently slot CIS below the top tier in HCMC and warn applicants accordingly.
- Leadership churn. A current-staff post in 2024 criticised the appointment of a new high-school principal carrying baggage from AISVN.
- Hiring and turnover. Repeated job postings prompt applicants to ask whether the school has a turnover problem; responses tend to confirm concerns.
Leadership
Dr. Chandra McGowan
Dr. Chandra McGowan is the Head of School at the Canadian International School (CIS). With extensive experience in international education, she is dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment that encourages academic excellence and personal growth among students.
Accreditations
- Council of International Schools 01
- Cognia 02
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (Accrediting Commission for Schools) 03
Academic results
- Accreditation Cognia accredited
- Programmes IB Diploma and AP courses, plus Ontario-based curriculum through secondary
Location
No. 7, Road 23, Zone A, Phu My Hung City Centre, Tan My Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City