What is the Difference Between Public, Private, and International Schools? Public, private, and international schools are educational models that can easily cause confusion when parents are deciding on the best learning environment for their children. This article helps parents differentiate each school model based on tuition fees, curriculum, diplomas, and graduate pathways to make an informed decision. What is a Public School? A public school is an educational institution established, invested in, and managed by the State. These schools typically enroll students based on residential zoning, follow the curriculum mandated by the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET), and have lower tuition fees compared to non-public school groups. This model is suitable for families prioritizing reasonable costs, traditional academic pathways, and an orientation for their children to continue higher education within the Vietnamese education system. However, parents must also take into consideration class sizes, English instruction hours, and the level of personalization throughout the learning process. Easily recognizable characteristics of public schools include: Enrollment is primarily based on residential zoning. The curriculum strictly adheres to the MOET framework. Tuition fees are generally lower than private and international schools. National diplomas are recognized throughout the country. Class sizes are typically large, and personalization may be limited. The advantages of public schools are accessible tuition, familiar examination systems, and an extensive school network. This is an appropriate choice if a family wants their child to study stably within the national curriculum without the need to transition to an international track. Public schools are suitable for families prioritizing affordable tuition and traditional learning pathways. What is a People-Founded School? A people-founded school is a type of school where local residential communities invest in building the infrastructure and ensuring operational conditions in accordance with Article 47 of the 2019 Education Law. However, at the current general education level, parents should no longer view "people-founded" (dân lập) as a widespread, independent school category as it was in the past. Under the current charter for general schools, schools are organized into two main legal categories: public (công lập) and private (tư thục). Therefore, if a general education school is still referred to as people-founded, parents should check the school's legal documents or official admissions information. Previously, the distinction between people-founded and private schools lay in the investing entity: people-founded schools were associated with local residential communities, whereas private schools were linked to private individuals or organizations. This distinction is crucial when comparing schools, as terms like "people-founded international" can easily cause misunderstanding. In many cases, such a school may actually be operating under a private, bilingual, foreign-partnership, or accredited international school model. What is a Private School? A private school is an educational institution invested in and operated by private organizations or individuals, funded primarily through tuition fees and private capital. The school must still be licensed and meet strict requirements regarding infrastructure, curriculum, teaching staff, and educational activities. This is a very broad category, ranging from purely Vietnamese private schools to bilingual schools and those with international elements. Therefore, parents should not assume that a private school is automatically an international school, nor should they judge its quality solely based on its name. Key Characteristics of Private Schools Private schools hold greater autonomy in investing in facilities, organizing educational activities, and developing student support services. Tuition fees are generally higher than public schools, though rates vary depending on the specific educational model. This group is well-suited for families seeking a more flexible learning environment, moderate class sizes, and diverse extracurricular activities. However, because quality varies across private schools, parents must carefully cross-examine the curriculum, teaching staff, and graduate outcomes. Three Common Types of Private Schools in Vietnam Private schools in Vietnam can be categorized into three common groups. This classification helps parents avoid confusing purely Vietnamese private schools with bilingual schools and international-element schools: Purely Vietnamese Private Schools: Follow primarily the MOET curriculum, use Vietnamese as the main language of instruction, and may offer enhanced English classes. Bilingual or Integrated Private Schools: Combine the MOET curriculum with partial foreign academic content, typically featuring intensive English and several subjects taught to international standards. Foreign-Element Schools: Established or operated under regulations governing foreign cooperation and investment in education; they may implement international curricula, governance, or training orientations. Why Are Private and International Schools Easily Confused? A private school might use an English name, include the word "International," or market itself with a global orientation. However, this does not necessarily mean the school operates under true international standards. To verify clearly, parents should ask three critical questions before adding a school to their shortlist: Is the core curriculum an international curriculum or the MOET curriculum? Does the school hold accreditation or recognition from an independent educational body? How international is the language of instruction, teaching staff, and student body? These three questions help parents distinguish a private school with international elements from a genuine international school that possesses clear curricula, accreditations, and graduate pathways. What is an International School? An international school is an institution that implements an international curriculum as its primary foundation and holds accreditation or recognition from independent educational organizations. Parents should not rely solely on the school's name; instead, they must examine the curriculum, language of instruction, qualifications, and learning environment. In Vietnam, the concept of an international school should not be oversimplified as just a school that teaches a lot of English. A true international school requires a learning pathway aligned with global standards, qualified teaching staff, and diplomas that enable students to transition seamlessly into universities worldwide. 5 Criteria to Identify a Genuine International School Parents can use the five criteria below to evaluate an international school. These criteria should be assessed together, rather than looking solely at the school's name or tuition fees: Core Curriculum: The school delivers standardized programs such as the International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge, Advanced Placement (AP), or national frameworks from the US, Canada, Australia, or equivalent international curricula. Accreditation or Recognition: The school holds recognition from independent educational bodies, such as the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), Council of International Schools (CIS), Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), or New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Language of Instruction: English or another international language plays the primary role across multiple academic subjects, rather than just being taught as an intensive foreign language. Teaching Staff: Teachers are recruited and trained specifically for the international curriculum delivered by the school. Learning Environment: The school features a diverse student community, open-minded learning activities, and clear international graduate pathways. For example, in Hanoi, Westlink International School Hanoi offers an academic pathway aligned with international standards, delivering the IB curriculum at appropriate grade levels. When researching schools, parents should check the recognition status of each program at the time of enrollment to ensure the most accurate information. Common International Curriculums and Diplomas (IB, Cambridge, US...) The three most common international curriculum systems in Vietnam are the IB, Cambridge, and the US curriculum. Each system has a distinct academic structure, assessment methodology, and transition advantage, requiring parents to align them with their child's capabilities and goals: IB (International Baccalaureate): Comprises the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for elementary, Middle Years Programme (MYP) for middle school, and Diploma Programme (DP) for high school. This program is suited for students who need to develop independent thinking, research skills, and a multi-country study abroad orientation. Cambridge: Typically features a pathway from Cambridge Primary to the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and Advanced Level (A-Level). This system is ideal for families wanting their children to follow familiar academic standards in the UK, Australia, Singapore, or countries using equivalent frameworks. US Curriculum: Generally based on individual state educational standards, combining the High School Diploma with AP (Advanced Placement) courses. This pathway suits students aiming for university admissions in the US or institutions accepting American-standard applications. Differentiating Between International and Bilingual Schools Both bilingual and international schools utilize English in teaching, but the fundamental nature of their curricula is different. The critical differences lie in the core curriculum, graduating diplomas, and the degree of internationalization within the learning environment. Criteria Bilingual School International School Core Curriculum Primarily follows the MOET curriculum, combined with supplementary international content. An international curriculum serves as the primary training framework (IB, Cambridge, AP, Common Core...). Language of Instruction A combination of Vietnamese and English. Primarily English or another international language. Graduating Diploma National diploma, which may be accompanied by international certificates. International qualifications corresponding to the school's curriculum framework. Educational Objectives Enhancing foreign language proficiency while maintaining a Vietnamese academic foundation. Preparing students for global learning environments and international university admissions. Learning Environment Vietnamese students form the majority. A multinational environment with a higher degree of internationalization. Post-High School Orientation Suitable for both domestic and international universities. Typically geared towards studying abroad or international universities. How to Identify Teaches in two languages but still follows the MOET curriculum. Follows an international curriculum entirely or predominantly. Key Considerations Check the actual ratio of English instruction and international content. Verify international accreditations and the recognition value of graduating diplomas. Comparison Table of the 4 School Models Across 7 Criteria The table below systematizes the differences between public, people-founded, private, and international schools across seven core criteria. Parents should use this table as an initial filter before researching specific schools in depth. Criteria Public People-Founded (Old term) Private International Managing Entity The State Local residential community Private organizations / individuals Private organizations or foreign-invested entities Funding Source State budget + tuition fees Community contributions Private capital + tuition fees Tuition fees + investment capital Curriculum MOET Typically follows the Vietnamese curriculum Vietnamese / Bilingual / Integrated IB / Cambridge / US Language of Instruction Primarily Vietnamese Primarily Vietnamese Vietnamese / Bilingual Primarily English Tuition Range Low Not categorized separately in general education Moderate to High High Graduating Diploma National diploma Depends on actual legal status National diploma + possible international certificates Diplomas aligned with the international curriculum system Best Suited For Prioritizing cost and the Vietnamese system Must re-verify the school's legal status Seeking flexible choices Oriented towards international environments / study abroad Which School Model Should Families Choose? There is no single type of school that suits every student. The right choice depends on academic goals, budget, the child's personality, and the family's expectations for the next 5 to 10 years. Public Schools: If a family prioritizes reasonable costs, a stable curriculum, and a domestic university pathway, public schools are an easy choice to consider. Parents should research class sizes, English instruction hours, and extracurricular activities before making a decision. Private or Bilingual Schools: If a family wants their child to study in a more flexible environment with increased English exposure and numerous personal development activities, private or bilingual schools may be appropriate. This group requires careful comparison, as quality varies significantly between institutions. International Schools: If a child is oriented towards studying abroad or requires an English-medium academic environment from an early age, parents should consider international schools. In this case, factors such as curriculum, accreditation, teaching staff, university counseling, and graduating diplomas are far more important than the school's name. Parents can shortlist their options by asking the following four questions: Does the family want the child to attend a domestic university, or is studying abroad a strong possibility? Does the child need enhanced English instruction, or comprehensive academic English immersion? Can the family's financial budget be stably maintained over many years? Does the family wish to retain the Vietnamese national curriculum, or transition completely to an international track? Westlink students during a sports class at the Tay Ho Tay campus After answering these four questions, parents should directly visit campuses, speak with admissions teams, and observe their child's actual experience. How a student feels when meeting teachers, participating in trial classes, and exploring the school space is also a vitally important factor. If parents are considering transferring their child to an international learning environment, start by cross-examining the curriculum, diplomas, tuition fees, and graduate orientations. Westlink International School Hanoi has a dedicated admissions team ready to help parents understand the learning pathway best suited for their child's age and goals. Contact Westlink today for direct consultation and schedule a visit to explore the right academic program for
