Photo courtesy of Canadian International School in Ho Chi Minh City
The upcoming 2024-2025 tuition fees announced by international schools in Vietnam have left parents in shock due to the continuous increase. Some schools in Hanoi are asking for over $36,000 USD, excluding meals and other services, making the tuition prices reach unprecedented levels.
The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, is home to around 40 Foreign Invested international schools, mainly running kindergarten courses. In contrast, Ho Chi Minh City has more than 20 international schools which run foreign programs. Foreign programs are taught in English and many run the International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge International Examinations (CIE), or other globally recognized curricula.
The title for the most expensive tuition in both cities is held by the United Nations International School (UNIS) in Hanoi. UNIS recently announced its tuition fees, ranging from 890-916 million VND for middle school and 312-765 million VND for other years, equivalent to approximately $35,670-$36,700 USD for middle school and $12,500-$30,700 USD respectively. This marks an average increase of 18-80 million VND compared to the previous school year, translating to approximately $720-3,200 USD respectively.
The expensive school in Ho Chi Minh City for the school year 2024-2025 was found to be Canadian International School Vietnam. CIS announced their tuition to be 611-785 million VND for middle school and 799-824 million VND for high school. This is equivalent to $24,500-$31,500 USD for middle school and $32,000-$33,000 USD for high school.
The substantial hike in tuition fees is due to several factors, such as higher operational costs, increased demand for quality education, and the implementation of advanced teaching methods and technologies. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated financial pressures on schools, leading to the need for adjustments in fee structures to ensure sustainability.
It is important to note that these tuition fees do not factor in other expenses such as textbooks, stationary, uniforms, and extracurricular activity fees. In response to these challenges, educational institutions are exploring alternative solutions to alleviate the financial burden on families. The options may include providing payment plans that are more flexible, scholarships based on either merit or financial need, and forming partnerships with organizations to offer financial aid to deserving students.
Nevertheless, the issue of rising tuition fees underscores the broader conversation about accessibility and affordability of education in Vietnam.
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