International Schools in Ha Dong: List, Categories and How to Choose the Right School Choosing an international school in Ha Dong for your child is a big decision – easy to get wrong and hard to undo. Many parents in south-west Hanoi feel overwhelmed by the number of schools labelled “international”, “bilingual” or “K–12”. Fees vary from school to school, and information online is often outdated and fragmented. This article helps you see the full picture: which schools are available, how each group of schools differs, which families each suits, and what to check before booking a visit. The latest 2026 list and fees for international schools in Ha Dong district The international school landscape in Ha Dong Ha Dong is Hanoi’s south-western gateway, with a large population and many new urban areas. This is why demand for international and bilingual schools here has grown rapidly in recent years. There is one change many parents are not yet fully aware of. From 1 July 2025, Hanoi abolished the district level under a two-tier local government model. The former Ha Dong District was divided into 5 new wards: Ha Dong, Duong Noi, Yen Nghia, Phu Luong and Kien Hung. This does not make any schools disappear or change their quality. However, it does affect the administrative address you use on admissions paperwork. In this article, we still use “the Ha Dong area” so you can picture it in line with how people usually search. Why parents in south-west Hanoi prioritise international schools Parents in Ha Dong, Duong Noi and Mo Lao often look for a strong English-language environment from an early age. They want their children to have a clear learning pathway and the opportunity to study abroad later on. Most are relatively high-income families who want their children to develop holistically, not just achieve good grades. As a result, their criteria for choosing a school are more demanding than for traditional state schools. The standout benefits that draw families in south-west Hanoi to international schools “International” or “bilingual”? Don’t choose a school by its name This is the most confusing point when choosing a school in the Ha Dong area. Two schools that both use the word “international” can be fundamentally different. Understanding the three groups below will help you avoid paying for an attractive name, and avoid false expectations about your child’s outcomes. The three groups of schools you will come across Fully international schools (English-medium). Teaching is almost entirely in English, following an internationally authorised or accredited curriculum such as the IB or Cambridge. Students are often of many nationalities, and the pathway leads directly to universities abroad. Bilingual schools. These combine the curriculum of Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training with an international curriculum. Children continue to study Vietnamese and stay connected to their Vietnamese roots while strengthening their academic English. This is the most common group in the Ha Dong area. Schools labelled “international”. In reality, these are private schools in Ha Dong with an enhanced English programme, but their core is still the Vietnamese curriculum. There is nothing wrong with that, but you need to call them what they are in order to compare fairly. Telling them apart through three signs You can check quickly by asking three questions. First, what is the main language of instruction? Second, does the school hold genuine international authorisation or accreditation – for example, as an IB World School or a Cambridge International school? Third, what qualification do students graduate with: IGCSE, A Level, the IB Diploma or the Vietnamese national high school diploma? Once you can answer these three questions, you will understand which “tier” a school really belongs to. Don’t rely on the brochure alone. List of international and bilingual schools in the Ha Dong area Below are the schools worth considering in the Ha Dong area and neighbouring areas. We have organised them so you can easily distinguish fully international schools from bilingual schools. Important note: programme information, and fees in particular, change every year. You should confirm details on each school’s official website before making a decision. List of international and bilingual schools in the Ha Dong area, 2026 International School @ ParkCity Hanoi (ISPH) ISPH is located within the ParkCity Hanoi urban area on Le Trong Tan Street, Duong Noi Ward, Hanoi. It is the option that most clearly comes close to a “fully international” school in the area. The school follows the British curriculum, with a pathway leading to IGCSE and A Level for students aged 3–18. Teaching is in English, and class sizes are small. Japanese International School (JIS) According to the school’s website, JIS’s Hanoi campus is at 84A Nguyen Thanh Binh, Ha Dong Ward. The school has three streams: Japanese International, Cambridge International and Bilingual. It is a rare option for families who want their child to learn Japanese in a structured way. The Cambridge stream leads to the IGCSE. Vietnam International School (VIS) VIS is located in the Duong Noi urban area, directly opposite AEON Mall Ha Dong. It is a K–12 school in Ha Dong, from kindergarten to upper secondary. The school offers a standard stream and a bilingual stream, using English-language materials from the UK, with some subjects taught in English. A guide to reputable international and bilingual schools in the Ha Dong area Ban Mai School Ban Mai is located in the Van Quan – Van Phu area. It is a K–12 school with a standard stream and an international stream, following a bilingual approach with enhanced English. The campus is spacious, with many extracurricular, STEM and arts activities. It suits families looking for a bilingual environment in Ha Dong that balances academics and skills. True North School True North is in the Mo Lao area of Ha Dong. The school focuses on developing thinking skills, communication and a solid foundation in English. It is a bilingual school in Ha Dong that many parents in the Mo Lao – Van Quan area consider thanks to its convenient location. Marie Curie School (Kien Hung campus) Marie Curie’s Kien Hung campus offers an enhanced English programme, including an Oxford English stream. The school provides a school bus service, making it suitable for families living further from central Ha Dong. It is a large private school in Ha Dong, with fees that are more accessible than those of fully international schools. Other bilingual options in the area In the Geleximco – Duong Noi area, there is Hanoi Adelaide School and Lomonoxop School. In the neighbouring Thanh Ha urban area, there is Tue Duc Green School (Trường Xanh Tuệ Đức), known for its strong focus on values education. On Le Lai Street, IQ School follows a bilingual K–12 model. These all fall into the bilingual group or private schools with enhanced English. You should place them in the right group when comparing them with ISPH or JIS. Quick comparison of international and bilingual schools in the Ha Dong area Quick comparison table by school level The table below helps you narrow down options by curriculum group and budget. The fees column should be updated from official sources before you use it to make a decision. School Area Recommended category Curriculum/qualifications School levels Best suited to Source ISPH Duong Noi/ParkCity International, British curriculum UK curriculum, IPC, IGCSE, A Level Ages 3–18 Families prioritising English and a British pathway, IGCSE/A Level ISPH website JIS Ha Dong International, multi-curriculum Japanese, Cambridge, Partnership Kindergarten–upper secondary Families wanting Cambridge or a Japanese focus JIS website VIS Duong Noi K–12/bilingual or private school with international enhancement To be verified for specific stream Primary–upper secondary Families wanting a school near AEON/Duong Noi with more accessible fees VIS website Ban Mai Van Quan/Van Phu Private K–12 school offering Cambridge Cambridge + school curriculum Kindergarten–upper secondary Families wanting a K–12 environment in Ha Dong Ban Mai website True North Ha Dong International & bilingual, American AP, SAT, NGSS, CCSS School levels to be verified Families interested in an American pathway, SAT/AP True North website Marie Curie Kien Hung Private school with enhanced English Oxford/IELTS stream to be verified Primary–upper secondary Families prioritising a large private school with more accessible fees Marie Curie website Looking at the table, you will see that “fully international” options in the Ha Dong area are relatively few. Most are bilingual or K–12 schools in Ha Dong. This is an important point if your family is aiming for the IB or an early study-abroad pathway. The latest detailed comparison table and fee ranges by school level 6 criteria for choosing the right international school for your child A list of schools is only the starting point. A school that is right for your neighbour’s child is not necessarily right for yours. The six criteria below will help you make a well-grounded decision. Curriculum and outcomes Ask clearly which curriculum your child will follow and what qualification they will receive on graduating. An IGCSE, A Level or IB pathway is very different from the Vietnamese national high school diploma in terms of study-abroad opportunities. Teaching staff Ask about the proportion of international teachers, their qualifications and teaching certificates. Native-speaker teachers with international qualifications are a reliable sign of quality. Facilities and safety Visit in person to look at the classrooms, library, sports facilities and safety procedures. Don’t rely solely on photos on the website. Fees and the K–12 pathway Calculate the total cost of the whole pathway, not just one year. A K–12 school helps ensure your child’s learning is not disrupted when moving between school levels. Location and transport Consider your child’s daily journey to school. A good school that is too far away will wear the whole family down. First-hand experience Attend admissions open days and trial classes, and talk to parents from previous cohorts. First-hand impressions are more reliable than any advertising. Key factors in choosing the right international learning environment for your child When should you widen your search beyond Ha Dong? After comparing, many parents come to one realisation. If they prioritise an IB pathway, parents should check the status of each school’s PYP, MYP and DP programmes carefully. In that case, widening the search to neighbouring areas makes sense. You trade a longer journey for the right curriculum and the environment you want. When to consider neighbouring areas You should consider this if your child needs an IB World School recognised worldwide. Or if your family wants a multinational classroom where English is the main language, while still maintaining your child’s Vietnamese. Returning families and premium local families often fall into this group. They prioritise academic quality and an international university pathway over distance. When parents should look for international schools beyond the Ha Dong area Westlink – an international learning environment in Tay Ho Tay If parents are willing to widen their search, Westlink International School in the Tay Ho Tay area is an option well worth considering. Located in the vibrant Tay Ho Tay area, Westlink’s biggest strength lies in the quality of its international-standard curriculum. Westlink is an IB World School authorised for the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), and is a candidate school for the IB Diploma Programme (DP). Alongside its IB international pathway, Westlink also offers a Bilingual programme for families who want their children to experience international learning approaches while maintaining a strong foundation in Vietnamese. Westlink is part of the International Schools Partnership (ISP), a large international education network. The 2.5-hectare campus in Tay Ho Tay holds LOTUS green building certification, according to Westlink. The school has an indoor swimming pool, a STEAM Lab and modern learning spaces. On the other hand, you will need to consider the journey from Ha Dong to Tay Ho Tay. The best approach is to book a tour to judge for yourself, alongside the schools in the Ha Dong area. Choosing an international school in Ha Dong should not come down to proximity or easy fee comparisons alone. What matters more is the curriculum, the learning environment and your child’s long-term development pathway. If your family would like to compare options in Ha Dong with an IB school in Tay Ho Tay, you can book a tour of Westlink to see the curriculum, learning environment and pathways for yourself – if the travel distance works for you.
