For expat families moving to Vietnam, one of the most important considerations is how children will be educated. The education system in Vietnam can feel unfamiliar at first, yet it is well organised, increasingly modern and more affordable than many parents expect.
In fact, Vietnam made public schooling tuition-free for every student from the 2025 to 2026 academic year, one of the largest education reforms in its recent history.
As a globally experienced financial adviser working closely with expat families, I am often asked how the education system in Vietnam works, what options are available, and how education choices fit into broader financial and lifestyle planning.
This guide is designed to give expat parents a clear, structured overview, helping you make informed decisions for both your children’s education and your long-term financial goals.
Key Takeaways
Vietnam’s school system follows a 5-4-3 structure: five years of primary, four years of lower secondary and three years of upper secondary, all managed by the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET).
Public schooling is now tuition-free for all students from pre-school to upper secondary, following Resolution 217/2025/QH15, effective from the 2025 to 2026 academic year.
Primary education has long been compulsory, and recent reforms are extending universal, compulsory schooling through lower secondary (Grade 9).
Public schools teach almost entirely in Vietnamese, so most expat families choose private bilingual or international schools.
International school fees typically run from around £8,000 to £16,000 or more per year, making education one of the largest recurring costs for expat families.
Is Education Free in Vietnam?
Yes. Since the 2025 to 2026 school year, tuition fees have been waived for every student in public schools, from pre-school through to the end of upper secondary. The waiver was approved by the National Assembly under Resolution 217/2025/QH15 and is one of the largest education welfare reforms in the country’s recent history.
A few points matter for expat parents:
The waiver applies to tuition at state (public) schools. Families still typically pay for textbooks, uniforms, meals and voluntary contributions.
Children at private and non-public schools are not tuition-free, but those schools receive a state subsidy set by each provincial People’s Council.
International schools are not covered by the policy, so their fees remain a private, and often significant, cost.
In short, "free" public education is a genuine saving for families who can access Vietnamese-language schooling, but most expats still budget for private or international fees because of the language of instruction.
Compulsory Education in Vietnam: Which Stages Are Required?
Primary school (Grades 1 to 5) has long been compulsory for every child in Vietnam. Under recent reforms linked to the 2019 Education Law and the country’s drive toward universal schooling, compulsory education is being extended through lower secondary school (Grade 9), creating a nine-year compulsory core.
Compulsory: primary (Grades 1 to 5), moving toward full inclusion of lower secondary (Grades 6 to 9).
Not compulsory but widely attended: pre-school and upper secondary (Grades 10 to 12).
Longer-term goals: universal pre-school for children aged 3 to 5 by 2030 (Resolution 218/2025/QH15), and a push toward universal upper-secondary education.
For expat families, compulsory-schooling rules rarely dictate your choice directly, since most will use private or international schools. They do, however, show how seriously Vietnam treats access to education, and they shape the public-school places available locally.
An Overview of the Education System in Vietnam
The education system in Vietnam is centrally managed by the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET), which oversees curriculum standards, examinations, and school governance nationwide.
Education is highly valued culturally, and this emphasis is reflected in Vietnam’s strong literacy rate, which is estimated at over 95% for adults.
Vietnam’s national system is structured into five main stages:
Kindergarten (Pre-school) – ages 3 to 5 (optional)
Primary School – Grades 1 to 5 (ages 6 to 11, compulsory)
Lower Secondary School – Grades 6 to 9 (ages 11 to 15)
Upper Secondary School (High School) – Grades 10 to 12 (ages 15 to 18)
Higher Education – Universities, colleges, and vocational institutes
Progression is exam-driven. Students sit a key examination at the end of Grade 9 to move into upper secondary, and again at the end of Grade 12 for a school-leaving certificate that doubles as the main route into university.
This structure will feel broadly familiar to Western parents, but there are some notable differences in teaching style, assessment, and progression that are worth understanding.
You can also read our companion overview of education in Vietnam for expat families, which focuses on the financial side of school choice.
Kindergarten and Pre-School Education
Pre-school education in Vietnam is optional and caters to children from around 3 months to 6 years old, split into nursery and kindergarten stages.
Both public and private options are available, with private and international kindergartens being particularly popular among expat families.
Vietnamese kindergartens focus strongly on:
Social and emotional development
Learning through play and exploration
Basic communication and early cognitive skills
Teachers are trained in early childhood development and follow MOET-approved frameworks, though private and international schools often incorporate Montessori, Reggio Emilia, or British Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) principles.
Costs: public pre-schools are now tuition-free, while private or international kindergartens can range from approximately £3,000 to £8,000 per year (USD 3,800 to 10,000) depending on location and curriculum. Vietnam has also set a target to universalise pre-school for 3 to 5 year-olds by 2030.
Primary Education: The Foundation Years
Primary education in Vietnam is compulsory and, in state schools, now free of tuition, covering Grades 1 to 5. Enrolment rates are high, with more than 95% of children attending at least some years of primary education.
The curriculum includes:
Vietnamese language and literature (Ngữ Văn)
Mathematics (Toán Học)
Science and social studies (Khoa Học Tự Nhiên)
Moral education (Giáo Dục Công Dân)
Physical education (Thể Dục Thể Thao), music (Âm Nhạc), and arts (Mĩ Thuật)
There is a strong emphasis on discipline and academic fundamentals. English is usually introduced at a basic level, although fluency is not the primary goal at this stage in state schools.
For expat parents, it is important to note that Vietnamese-language proficiency is essential for public primary schools. As a result, many expats opt for private bilingual or international schools instead.
If you want to explore the many international and private schools across Vietnam, you can visit the International Schools Database where they not only list out the schools based on your location but also include information on tuition, curriculum and many more. A very helpful tool for expat families.
Some notable international schools across Vietnam are:
Ha Noi:
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- UNIS Hanoi
- Concordia International School
- Hanoi International School
- St. Paul American School
- Dwight School Hanoi
Ho Chi Minh City:
- International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC)
- British International School (BIS) HCMC
- Saigon South International School (SSIS)
- Australian International School (AIS)
- Vietnam Australia International School (VAS)
Lower Secondary Education (Grades 6–9)
Lower secondary education builds on primary learning and introduces more specialised academic subjects, including:
Physics (Vật Lý), chemistry (Hóa Học), and biology (Sinh Học)
History (Lịch Sử), geography (Địa Lý), and civics (Giáo Dục Công Dân)
Foreign languages (most commonly English)
This stage culminates in a Grade 9 examination, which plays a critical role in determining a student’s pathway into upper secondary education. Academic pressure increases noticeably at this level, and extra tutoring is common among Vietnamese students.
Lower secondary is also central to Vietnam’s move toward a nine-year compulsory education core, reflecting the goal of keeping every child in school through Grade 9.
From an expat perspective, this exam-focused approach can feel intense, particularly compared with Western systems that place greater emphasis on coursework and continuous assessment.
Upper Secondary Education (High School)
Upper secondary education (Grades 10–12) is not compulsory, but it is essential for students wishing to attend university. Entry is competitive and determined by examination results at the end of lower secondary school.
High schools often offer specialised tracks, such as:
Natural sciences
Social sciences and humanities
Vocational or technical streams
Vietnam is also known for its “high schools for the gifted” (trường chuyên), which are elite institutions with extremely competitive entrance requirements.
Notable examples of these types of schools in Ho Chi Minh City are:
Le Hong Phong High School for The Gifted (THPT chuyên Lê Hồng Phong)
Tran Dai Nghia High School for the Gifted (THPT chuyên Trần Đại Nghĩa)
The academic workload is demanding, with long study hours and a heavy focus on exam preparation. The national high-school graduation exam was streamlined for 2025, with students sitting a smaller set of compulsory and chosen subjects.
Higher Education and University Pathways
University admission in Vietnam is primarily based on performance in the National High School Graduation Examination, which serves both as a school-leaving certificate and a university entrance exam.
Vietnam has a growing higher education sector, including:
Public and private universities
Colleges and professional institutes
Vocational and technical training centres
University education is academically rigorous, and institutional reputation carries significant social weight. Many Vietnamese families view entry into a top-tier university as a major milestone.
For expat families, however, children often pursue higher education abroad or through international schools offering IB, A-Levels, or US-style diplomas, which provide smoother access to universities in the UK, US, Europe, or Australia.
Public, Private, and International Schools: Key Differences
Choosing the right type of school is one of the most important decisions expat parents will make in Vietnam. Each option comes with distinct advantages and trade-offs in terms of language, curriculum, cost, and long-term suitability.
Comparison Table
| School Type | Curriculum & Language | Teaching Style | Typical Class Size | Cost Range (per year) | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Schools | Vietnamese national curriculum, taught in Vietnamese | Traditional, exam-focused, teacher-led | Large (often 35–45 students) | Low cost; minimal fees (books, uniforms, contributions) | Vietnamese families or expats fluent in Vietnamese |
| Private / Bilingual Schools | Vietnamese curriculum with partial English instruction | Mixed approach; some flexibility | Medium (20–30 students) | £3,000–£8,000 (USD 3,800–10,000) | Long-term residents seeking balance of cost and language exposure |
| International Schools | British, American, IB, or other international curricula; English-taught | Student-centred, enquiry-based | Small (15–25 students) | £8,000–£16,000+ (USD 10,000–20,000+) | Mobile expat families and overseas university pathways |
Public Schools
Public schools in Vietnam are state-funded and overseen directly by the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET). Tuition fees are minimal, with families typically paying only for textbooks, uniforms, and modest school contributions. Academic standards are strong, particularly in mathematics and sciences, but instruction is delivered almost entirely in Vietnamese.
For most expat families, language barriers and large class sizes make public schools less suitable unless children are already fluent in Vietnamese and plan to remain in the country long term.
Private and Bilingual Schools
Private and semi-public schools offer a middle ground between state and international education. Many follow the national Vietnamese curriculum while delivering selected subjects in English. Class sizes are generally smaller, and teaching methods may be more flexible than in public schools.
These schools can be attractive for families intending to settle in Vietnam for several years and who want their children to gain bilingual skills at a more moderate cost. However, university pathways abroad may still require additional qualifications later on.
International Schools
International schools are the most popular choice among expat families. They typically offer British (IGCSEs and A-Levels), American, or International Baccalaureate (IB) curricula, taught in English by internationally trained teachers.
While fees are significantly higher, international schools provide continuity for globally mobile families, smoother access to overseas universities, and a teaching style more familiar to UK and US parents. From a financial planning perspective, these schools require careful budgeting due to additional costs such as enrolment fees, capital levies, transport, and extracurricular activities.
From a financial planning perspective, education costs are one of the largest recurring expenses for expat families.
Factoring these fees into a medium- and long-term financial plan is essential, particularly if you have more than one child or anticipate long-term residency in Vietnam.
How Good Is Vietnam’s Education System?
Vietnam is widely regarded as one of the strongest education performers relative to its income level. Adult literacy sits above 95%, and Vietnamese pupils have historically punched well above their weight in international assessments.
In the most recent OECD PISA study (2022), 15-year-olds in Vietnam scored 469 in mathematics, 462 in reading and 472 in science. In points terms these sit around, and slightly below, the OECD averages, yet they remain remarkable for a middle-income country, and the share of pupils reaching baseline proficiency in maths and science was above the OECD average.
The strengths and trade-offs are worth understanding:
Strengths: strong foundations in maths and science, high discipline, high enrolment, and small performance gaps between richer and poorer pupils.
Trade-offs: heavy exam pressure, large public-school class sizes, and less emphasis on creativity, critical thinking and spoken English than many Western parents expect.
This is exactly why many expat families weigh a bilingual or international route, which blends academic rigour with the teaching style and qualifications that ease a move home or on to a Western university.
School Calendar and Daily Structure
State schools generally run from early September to late May, split into two semesters (for 2025 to 2026, terms broadly run from early September to late May). Many operate a half-day shift system, with students attending either mornings or afternoons.
International schools usually follow Western academic calendars, with longer summer holidays and breaks at Christmas and Easter, a structure more familiar to UK and US families.
Teaching Style and Classroom Culture
Traditional Vietnamese education has historically emphasised:
Rote learning
Teacher-centred instruction
Respect for authority
While this approach has produced strong academic outcomes, it can limit creativity and critical thinking. Encouragingly, there has been a gradual shift towards more student-centred learning, particularly in private and international schools.
Expat parents often find that their children adapt quickly, especially in international environments where questioning, discussion, and collaboration are actively encouraged.
What the Vietnam School System Means for Expat Families
For most UK and European families, the practical takeaway is simple: the public system is high-quality and now tuition-free, but the Vietnamese language of instruction makes private bilingual or international schooling the realistic choice for children who may later study abroad.
That decision has knock-on effects worth planning for early:
Budgeting: international fees are one of the largest lines in an expat family budget, so it helps to see them alongside your overall cost of living in Vietnam.
Continuity: if you expect to relocate again, an internationally recognised curriculum (IB, A-Levels or a US diploma) protects your child’s progression.
Family logistics: school location often drives where you live, as covered in our guides on moving to Vietnam with kids and raising a family in Vietnam.
How Benjamin Sharvell Can Support Expat Families in Vietnam
For expat families in Vietnam, education decisions and financial planning are closely linked. As an independent financial adviser specialising in expatriate wealth management, I help families plan for the rising cost of education.
Through education fee planning, I work with parents to structure flexible, offshore savings and investment solutions designed to grow alongside their child and adapt as circumstances change. This includes planning for education costs that typically rise by around 5% per year, managing currency exposure, and ensuring funds remain accessible when school or university fees fall due.
By taking a proactive and personalised approach, I help expat families make informed choices and position themselves to give their children the best possible start.
Education as Part of Your Expat Plan
Understanding the education system in Vietnam is necessary in aligning education decisions with your broader family, lifestyle, and financial objectives.
As an expat myself, I appreciate how interconnected these decisions can be. Education costs, future university plans, currency exposure, and long-term wealth planning all intersect. Taking a proactive and informed approach can help ensure that your child’s education supports both their personal development and your family’s financial security.
Contact our team today to get a free consultation!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is school free in Vietnam?
Public schools in Vietnam are tuition-free for all students from pre-school to upper secondary from the 2025 to 2026 school year. Families still cover items such as books, uniforms and meals, and international schools are not included in the waiver.
2. Is education compulsory in Vietnam?
Primary school (Grades 1 to 5) is compulsory, and reforms are extending compulsory schooling through lower secondary (Grade 9). Pre-school and upper secondary are not compulsory, though both are widely attended.
3. Can expat children attend public schools in Vietnam?
In principle yes, but public schools teach almost entirely in Vietnamese, so they suit children who are fluent in the language. Most expat families choose bilingual or international schools instead.
4. What curriculum do international schools in Vietnam follow?
International schools commonly offer British (IGCSE and A-Level), American, or International Baccalaureate (IB) curricula, taught in English by internationally trained teachers.
5. How much does schooling cost for expats in Vietnam?
Public schooling is tuition-free with minor extra costs. Private and bilingual schools typically cost around £3,000 to £8,000 per year, while international schools usually range from around £8,000 to £16,000 or more per year.