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 family-owned 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.
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.
The ABCIS at a Glance
The key facts about our school, in one place.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| School name | The ABC International School (ABCIS) |
| Founded | 1995, in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) |
| Type | Family-owned British international school, taught in English |
| Ages | 2 to 18, from Early Years to Sixth Form |
| Campuses | Trung Son Campus and Nha Be Campus, Ho Chi Minh City |
| Curriculum | EYFS, the National Curriculum for England, iGCSE, and A Levels |
| Inspection | BSO Outstanding at four consecutive inspections, most recently January 2024 |
| Exam boards | Cambridge International and AQA |
| Memberships | COBIS and FOBISIA |
| Registration | UK Department for Education and the Vietnamese Government |
| University progression | More than 95% of graduates each year |
| Parent portal | ABCIS Engage |
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. A British curriculum delivered in full, three decades in Saigon, and a balanced education that is structured but supportive. Here are nine, with the evidence for each.
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. As a family-owned school, our decisions are made for the long term. Many of our current parents first heard about us 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
Our pupils follow one continuous British pathway, so there is no need to change schools between stages. The table shows how it fits together.
| Stage | Typical ages | Year groups | What students work towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Years (EYFS) | 2 to 5 | Nursery and Reception | Early learning goals through play-based learning |
| Primary: Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 | 5 to 11 | Years 1 to 6 | The National Curriculum for England |
| Secondary: Key Stage 3 | 11 to 14 | Years 7 to 9 | Broad subject foundations |
| Key Stage 4 | 14 to 16 | Years 10 and 11 | iGCSE qualifications |
| Sixth Form (Key Stage 5) | 16 to 18 | Years 12 and 13 | A Levels |
This structured pathway ensures continuity in learning and gradual development of skills across stages. Our guide to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) explains how it begins.cross 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 Community
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.
Students who are still building their English are supported to join lessons fully. Our approach to English language support explains how.
7. Dedicated and Experienced Teachers
Our teachers are experienced in the English National Curriculum and teach it as specialists, not adapters. We keep classes at a size where teachers can know each child well. Our guide to student teacher ratio explains why that matters.
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 18
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.
These spaces let students explore their interests, learn practically, and take part in activities beyond the classroom. Our guide to international school facilities explains what to look for on a tour.
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. For an hour-by-hour picture, see our typical school day at ABCIS.
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.
We may be less suited to families who want a non-British curriculum, or teaching mainly in a language other than English. Saying so honestly helps families choose well.
Whichever schools you visit, our list of questions to ask on a school tour will help you compare them fairly.
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.
Book a campus visit or contact our admissions team using the details below.
- 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
Families choose us for a full British curriculum from age 2 to 18, four consecutive BSO Outstanding inspections, and more than 95% university progression. They also value our 30-year history in Saigon and our family-owned, community feel.
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.
We welcome children from age 2 in Early Years through to age 18 in Sixth Form. Places depend on our admissions assessment and availability in each year group.
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.
Start by booking a campus visit or contacting our admissions team. Our school admissions process explains each step, including academic assessment, an English evaluation, and an interaction session.
Yes. The ABCIS is a family-owned British international school, which lets us plan for the long term and keep a close community feel.
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.
