Families searching for the right international school in Ho Chi Minh City face a decision that goes beyond academics alone. Curriculum, inspection results, university pathways, and daily school life all shape that choice.
We are The ABC International School (ABCIS), a British international school educating children aged 2 to 18 in Saigon since 1995. This article explains exactly why families choose us, with the accreditations, results, and programmes named rather than implied.
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Key Takeaways
- The ABCIS has delivered British education in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) since 1995.
- Our four most recent BSO inspections all graded the school Outstanding, most recently in January 2024.
- We are dually registered with the Vietnamese Government and the UK Department for Education.
- Students follow the British curriculum from Early Years through IGCSE and A Levels.
- More than 95% of our graduates progress to university each year.
- We teach children aged 2 to 18 across two campuses: Trung Son and Nha Be.
What Families Look for in the Best International School in Ho Chi Minh City
When comparing schools, parents usually weigh academic quality, recognition of qualifications, teacher expertise, facilities, wellbeing support, and opportunities beyond the classroom. Many also want continuity from early years to secondary, so their child never has to change schools mid-journey.
Our guide on how to choose the best international school in Ho Chi Minh City walks through those criteria in full. The rest of this article shows how we measure up against them.
Why Families Choose ABCIS
ABCIS stands out among international schools in Saigon for several reasons. Its British curriculum framework, long-standing presence, and focus on balanced education make it a strong choice for families seeking a structured yet supportive academic environment.
1. A Well-Established British International School Since 1995
One of the key reasons families choose us is our long-standing presence in Vietnam. We opened in 1995 and have now spent more than 30 years delivering British education in Saigon.
That longevity means stable academic programmes, consistent teaching standards, and a school culture refined over three decades. Many of our current parents are choosing a school they first heard about from friends whose children we taught years ago.
2. Named Accreditations, Not Vague Promises
Every international school claims high standards. We prefer to name ours.
- BSO Outstanding, four inspections in a row: our most recent British Schools Overseas (BSO) accreditation inspection in January 2024 graded the school Outstanding, the fourth consecutive inspection to do so.
- Cambridge International and AQA: we are an accredited examination centre for both boards, which set and mark our IGCSE and A Level examinations.
- COBIS and FOBISIA memberships: we belong to the Council of British International Schools, and our FOBISIA membership connects our students to academic and sporting events across Asia.
- Dual registration: we are registered with both the Vietnamese Government and the UK Department for Education, so our provision is answerable to two national systems.
For parents, these are independently verifiable marks of quality. The full BSO report is published on our website.
3. A Structured British Curriculum Pathway
The ABCIS delivers a clear academic progression based on the British curriculum:
- Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
- Primary education (National Curriculum of England)
- Secondary education
- IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education)
- A Levels (Advanced Level qualifications)
This structured pathway ensures continuity in learning and gradual development of skills across stages.
4. Globally Recognised Qualifications and a 95%+ University Progression Rate
University preparation is where our pathway proves itself. Students sit the IGCSE curriculum examinations in Key Stage 4, then specialise through A Levels in Sixth Form.
More than 95% of our graduates progress to university each year. Our leavers take up places in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Canada, Korea, and beyond. You can see where our graduates go after leaving school and browse our published university destinations.
5. A Holistic Approach with Named Programmes
Education at The ABCIS goes beyond examinations. We build wellbeing for students into daily school life alongside programmes that develop leadership and character:
- The International Award: our adaptation of the Duke of Edinburgh framework, open to students in Years 9 to 13, combining service, skills, physical activity, and expeditions.
- Model United Nations (MUN): students research, debate, and represent global positions at conferences.
- FOBISIA events: academic and sporting competitions against British international schools across Asia.
These programmes develop the critical thinking, communication, and resilience that examinations alone cannot teach.
6. An International, Multilingual Communityn
Our students come from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. Many grow up in multilingual homes, including Korean-English and Vietnamese-English families.
Learning alongside peers from different cultures builds global awareness, cross-cultural understanding, and confidence in English. For many families, this community is what makes an international school in Saigon worth choosing.
7. Dedicated and Experienced Teachers
Our teachers are experienced in the English National Curriculum and teach it as specialists, not adapters. Class sizes allow them to know every child.
Their approach centres on individual progress, active participation, constructive feedback, and support for different learning styles. Parents can follow that progress directly through our Engage portal, which shares reports, letters, and day-to-day school information.
8. Selective Admissions That Ensure Student Readiness
Our school admissions process is designed to assess readiness and place each child in the right learning setting. It includes academic assessment, English proficiency evaluation, and an interaction session.
This keeps classrooms balanced and standards consistent, which benefits every student we admit.
9. Two Campuses Serving Ages 2 to 18h
We teach across two campuses in Ho Chi Minh City: Trung Son Campus and Nha Be Campus. Together they carry students from pre-primary right through to Sixth Form.
Facilities across the campuses include science laboratories, libraries and resource centres, sports facilities, and creative and performance spaces for arts, music, and drama. Both campuses publish live air quality data, a detail expat families in particular tell us they value.to explore their interests, engage in practical learning, and participate in a wide range of activities beyond the classroom, contributing to both academic progress and personal growth.
A Day in the Life at the ABCIS
A typical day balances academic lessons with the activities that make school memorable. Alongside core subjects, our students might:
- Compete for their House: every student joins one of our four House Teams, the Dalat Dragons, Hanoi Hornets, Mekong Monsters, or Saigon Serpents, earning points in academic and sporting events all year.
- Join clubs and enrichment: our extracurricular activities programme spans sport, arts, languages, and academic clubs.
- Train for FOBISIA fixtures: squads prepare for competitions against British international schools across the region.
- Take part in MUN and the International Award: older students debate, lead, and complete expedition challenges.
Throughout the day, students are encouraged to ask questions and engage meaningfully with peers and teachers. Academic progress sits alongside confidence, creativity, and friendship. development.
Is ABCIS the Right International School for Your Child?
Choosing a school is a highly individual decision. What works well for one child may not suit another.
Families should consider their child’s learning style, academic goals, language proficiency, level of support required, and interest in a British-style education. We are likely a strong fit for families who want a structured British pathway, small-community warmth, and inspection-verified quality in Saigon.
Come and See Why Families Choose The ABCIS
Accreditations and statistics matter, but schools are best judged in person. We warmly invite you to visit either campus, meet our teachers, and see a school day for yourself.
- Trung Son Campus: #152-158, Street No. 1, Trung Son, Binh Hung Commune, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Nha Be Campus: #2, Street No. 9, Tan An Huy, Nha Be Commune, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Phone: +84 (0)28 7308 1828
- Email: office@theabcis.com
Frequently Asked Questions About ABCIS
We follow the British curriculum, based on the National Curriculum of England. Students progress through the Key Stages to IGCSE and A Level qualifications.
Yes. Our four most recent BSO inspections all graded us Outstanding, and we are registered with both the UK Department for Education and the Vietnamese Government. We are also a Cambridge International and AQA examination centre.
We are in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, often called Saigon. Our two campuses are in Trung Son and Nha Be, serving students aged 2 to 18.
Students complete IGCSE examinations in Key Stage 4 and A Levels in Sixth Form. Both are recognised by universities worldwide.
Through the structured IGCSE to A Level pathway, subject specialist teaching, and university guidance. More than 95% of our graduates progress to university each year.
Engage is our parent portal at engage.theabcis.com. Parents use it to access reports, letters, and school information. If you are looking to log in, use the Parents/Students link at the top of our website.
Current fees are published on our school fees page. For context on what tuition covers across the city, see our guide to international school fees in Ho Chi Minh City.
