International Schools in Tay Ho and How to Choose the Right Learning Environment “International schools in Tay Ho” is a group of schools many parents look into when searching for a learning environment around West Lake, Ciputra and Tay Ho Tay. This article brings together a selection of schools, 2025–2026 tuition fees and criteria for choosing a school that suits each learning pathway. What are “Tay Ho international schools”? “Tay Ho international schools” is how parents commonly refer to the group of international schools, international bilingual schools and private schools with international elements located around West Lake, Ciputra and Tay Ho Tay. When choosing a school, parents need to check the curriculum, international accreditation, tuition fees, location and which pathway suits their child. Not every school with international elements is the same. Some schools teach the IB (International Baccalaureate), while others follow Cambridge, the IPC (International Primary Curriculum) or a bilingual programme combined with the MOET (Ministry of Education and Training) curriculum. Which areas does “Tay Ho” cover in this article? When looking for international schools in Tay Ho, many parents don’t limit their search to the administrative boundaries of Tay Ho District. In practice, their search often extends to Ciputra, Quang An, Xuan La and the Tay Ho Tay area, because these areas are close to one another, convenient for school runs and home to many international schools. Tay Ho District around West Lake Tay Ho District includes areas such as Quang An, Phu Thuong, Xuan La and Ciputra. It has a large international community, many high-income families and some of Hanoi’s longest-established international schools. Tay Ho Tay urban area Tay Ho Tay is in Bac Tu Liem District, not Tay Ho District. However, the area is close to West Lake, has new infrastructure and is becoming a premium international school cluster in Hanoi. Areas with a concentration of international schools around West Lake and Tay Ho Tay Why parents often group the two areas together Parents usually care more about the school run, the living environment and school quality than administrative boundaries. As a result, the phrase “Tay Ho international schools” in practice often includes schools in Tay Ho Tay as well. This way of looking at it helps families avoid missing options worth considering. In particular, areas such as Ciputra, Starlake, Xuan Tao and Xuan Dinh are all within a reasonable travelling distance of West Lake. How to tell different school models apart In Hanoi, many schools use international elements in their name or curriculum. Parents should check the school’s educational model before comparing tuition fees, as international schools, bilingual schools and private schools with international elements are not the same. Criteria for checking an international school A school with international elements should be assessed against several criteria, not just its name. The table below helps parents run a quick check before contacting admissions. Criteria How to check Operating licence The school has clear legal information from the education authorities Curriculum The school publishes its IB, Cambridge, IPC, American, Canadian or integrated curriculum International accreditation The school is listed on the IBO, Cambridge, CIS, WASC or relevant accreditation body's system Language of instruction English plays its proper role in the curriculum, not just as an enhanced subject Progression pathway The school clearly explains how students progress to higher levels or transfer internationally A school with international elements isn’t necessarily a weaker choice. What matters is that parents put schools in the right group so they can compare tuition fees, curricula and expected outcomes fairly. How to look up an IB World School on ibo.org If a school says it teaches the IB, you can verify this in a few minutes: Go to ibo.org/programmes/find-an-ib-world-school. Filter by country and select Vietnam. Find the school’s name in the results list. Check which programmes it is authorised for: PYP (Primary Years Programme), MYP (Middle Years Programme) or DP (Diploma Programme). Only schools listed as authorised for at least one programme are IB World Schools, meaning official IB schools. For example, you can look up Westlink to confirm that the school is authorised for the IB PYP and MYP. This method works for any international school in Tay Ho that says it teaches the IB. You can also find out more about the IB programmes at Westlink to understand how an IB World School puts the curriculum into practice. Quick comparison table: international, bilingual and private schools with international elements Before looking at the list of schools, parents should distinguish between three common models. This helps families avoid making the wrong comparisons between fully international schools, bilingual schools and private schools with international elements. Criteria International school International bilingual school Private school with international elements Main curriculum IB, Cambridge or another international curriculum International combined with MOET MOET as the main foundation Language of learning Mainly English English and Vietnamese in proportions set by each school Mainly Vietnamese International accreditation May have PYP, MYP, DP, Cambridge, CIS, WASC May have some Not a requirement Suitable pathway Study abroad, transfer to international schools, international universities A balance between international and Vietnamese foundations Families looking for an innovative private school environment Best suited to Expat, overseas Vietnamese and premium local families Vietnamese parents who want their child to be bilingual Families prioritising cost and a Vietnamese foundation 8 international schools in the Tay Ho area The Tay Ho and Tay Ho Tay areas have many schools across different segments. The list below is simply a summary of notable options, not a quality ranking. Schools offering IB programmes This group suits families who prioritise the IB and international transferability. When comparing, parents need to check which programmes each school is authorised for, as the PYP, MYP and DP each have their own authorisation status. United Nations International School of Hanoi The United Nations International School of Hanoi, usually known as UNIS Hanoi, is located in the Ciputra urban area, Tay Ho District. The school teaches the IB from Early Years to Grade 12, including the PYP, MYP and DP. UNIS’s 2025–2026 tuition fees are among the highest in Hanoi. Parents should check the official fee schedule and admissions policy each year before applying. United Nations International School (UNIS), Ciputra, Tay Ho Westlink International School Hanoi Westlink International School Hanoi is located in the Tay Ho Tay urban area, Hanoi. The school is part of the International Schools Partnership, a global network of international schools in different countries. According to information published on the school’s website, Westlink offers pathways including Early Years, IB PYP, IB MYP, Bilingual MYP and the IB DP. Westlink is authorised for the PYP and MYP; the DP is currently at the candidate stage. Parents should check the latest IB authorisation status on the IBO (International Baccalaureate Organization) website before enrolling. Westlink’s 2025–2026 tuition fees are published by programme on the school’s official website. Parents should view Westlink’s 2025–2026 tuition fees directly to see fees by year group, payment options and related charges. The Westlink campus in Tay Ho Tay has specialist learning spaces, including modern classrooms, a library, creative studios, science labs and STEAM spaces. It is a good fit for families who want to compare the IB and Bilingual pathways on the same campus. The Westlink campus in Tay Ho Tay, with learning spaces and activities across year groups International bilingual schools This group suits families who want their child to learn in an environment with international elements while keeping a Vietnamese foundation. When comparing, parents should ask clearly which levels the international curriculum applies to and which accreditations the school holds. Hanoi Academy International Bilingual School Hanoi Academy is located in the Ciputra urban area, Tay Ho District. The school follows a bilingual approach, combining the Vietnamese curriculum with elements of an international curriculum. Hanoi Academy’s indicative 2025–2026 tuition fees range from around VND 104.7 million to VND 148 million per year, depending on the year group. Parents should confirm tuition fees, additional charges and the curriculum with the admissions office before enrolling. Hanoi Academy International Bilingual School in Ciputra, Tay Ho, Hanoi Horizon International Bilingual School (HIBS) Horizon International Bilingual School, usually known as HIBS, is located in the To Ngoc Van area, Quang An, Tay Ho District. The school follows a bilingual approach, with a Cambridge pathway combined with the national curriculum. Indicative 2025–2026 tuition fees range from around VND 210 million to VND 470 million per year, depending on the level and programme. Parents should ask clearly which levels the Cambridge programme applies to, class sizes and the pathway to upper secondary school. Horizon International Bilingual School (HIBS) on To Ngoc Van, Tay Ho, Hanoi The Dewey Schools Tay Ho Tay The Dewey Schools Tay Ho Tay is located in the Starlake urban area, Bac Tu Liem District. The school follows an American educational approach, and its international programmes should be checked against the school’s official website. Indicative tuition fees start from around VND 8.8 million per month, depending on the programme and year group. Before comparing it with IB schools, parents should check directly on the IBO website which programmes the school is authorised for. The Dewey Schools Tay Ho Tay campus in Starlake, Bac Tu Liem, Hanoi Early years and primary schools This group suits families who prioritise the early-years environment, learning spaces and early exposure to English. If parents want their child to stay at the school long term, they should ask clearly about the pathway to lower and upper secondary school. Genesis Kindergarten and Primary School Genesis School is located in the Tay Ho Tay area and follows the IPC combined with the national curriculum. The school suits parents interested in a green, friendly learning environment and early-years experiences. Indicative 2025–2026 primary tuition fees range from around VND 80 million to VND 120 million per year, depending on the programme. If the family wants their child to continue through several levels, they need to confirm places, the curriculum and the transition pathway directly. Genesis Kindergarten and Primary School in the Tay Ho Tay urban area, Hanoi Sunshine Maple Bear Sunshine Maple Bear is located in the Sunshine Riverside area, Tay Ho District. The school follows the Maple Bear model and suits families who want their child to start bilingual learning early. Indicative kindergarten tuition fees are around VND 135–180 million per year. Parents should check which levels are currently enrolling, the latest tuition fees and the pathway to higher levels before enrolling. Sunshine Maple Bear in the Sunshine Riverside area, Tay Ho, Hanoi Morning Star International School (MSIS) Morning Star International School is located in the To Ngoc Van area, Quang An, Tay Ho District. The school is moderately sized and suits families who prefer a close-knit environment and smaller classes. Indicative 2025–2026 tuition fees need to be confirmed directly, as they may vary by programme and level. Parents should ask clearly about the curriculum, accreditation, levels currently enrolling and any additional charges. Morning Star International School (MSIS) on To Ngoc Van, Tay Ho, Hanoi Quick comparison of 8 international schools in Tay Ho The table below helps parents quickly compare schools by area, levels, curriculum model and best-fit group. Tuition fees should only be treated as reference data, as each school may change them by academic year and admissions policy. A quick comparison of 8 notable international schools in Tay Ho and Tay Ho Tay How to choose the right international school for your family No school is the best for every family. The right choice depends on your nationality, budget and the pathway you want for your child. Below are three groups of parents commonly found when looking for schools in the Tay Ho area. Expat and overseas Vietnamese families This group usually prioritises international programmes with high transferability. Parents should choose schools with clear accreditation, a stable language of learning and support for students moving from another education system. For this group, the IB or Cambridge is usually easier to match up when the family moves country. However, parents still need to check the official recognition status of each programme. Parents who want to keep a Vietnamese foundation This group needs a balance between academic English, international thinking and Vietnamese. Schools with a bilingual pathway or an international programme combined with a Vietnamese foundation will be more suitable than fully international schools. In this case, a bilingual school in Tay Ho that runs both pathways on the same campus is a big plus. For example, Westlink offers a bilingual pathway combining English and Vietnamese. Your child can develop international thinking while keeping a strong foundation in Vietnamese. Families with a mid-range budget of VND 200–300 million per year Not every family is ready for the highest IB tuition fees. This group looks for good-quality schools within a reasonable budget. In this segment, private schools in Tay Ho with international elements or a bilingual pathway are worth considering. Westlink’s Bilingual programme (from around VND 260 million per year) falls within this range. Below VND 200 million, Hanoi Academy (VND 105–148 million per year) and Sunshine Maple Bear (VND 100–160 million per year) are two options worth considering for families with a moderate budget. If you are focusing only on primary school, Genesis at VND 80–120 million per year is also a good fit. If budget is the main concern, look into Westlink’s 2026 scholarship policy, which may help families make the most of their budget if they meet the eligibility criteria. Before deciding, list the three criteria that matter most to your family, then compare them against the comparison table above. How to book a tour and apply Once you’ve shortlisted a few suitable schools, the next step is to visit and apply. Most international schools in the Tay Ho area follow a fairly similar process, although the details of each step may differ slightly. Admissions steps Each school’s process may differ, but parents usually go through the main steps below. Prepare school reports, personal documents and questions about the curriculum in advance to make the consultation more productive. Research the curriculum: find out whether the school follows the IB, Cambridge, a bilingual or an integrated curriculum. Book a tour: observe classrooms, the campus, the library, specialist rooms and student activities. Have an academic discussion: ask clearly about the learning pathway, English support, class sizes and how progress is assessed. Review the full fees: check tuition fees, enrolment fees, school bus, lunch, uniforms and additional charges. Let your child try it out: if possible, let your child attend a trial day to assess how well they settle in. For students moving from a Vietnamese school to an international environment, the English assessment step is very important. Parents should ask whether the school offers EAL support, how long the support lasts and whether the cost is included in the tuition fees. A school tour helps parents assess a school before applying When to apply Most international schools in the Tay Ho area accept and review applications throughout the academic year, depending on the places available in each year group. So there isn’t a fixed application season as there is for university admissions. In practice, schools usually open applications for the next academic year from the middle of the current one. For example, Westlink is currently accepting applications for both the 2025–2026 and 2026–2027 academic years. UNIS also opened applications for 2026–2027 before March 2026. There are three key timeframes parents should remember. January to March is the peak period, as many scholarship programmes close their applications then; for example, the UNIS Scholarship closes on 1 March each year. April to June is when top schools are often already full in entry year groups. The 31 August cut-off is used to determine year group by age for kindergarten and Grade 1 students. Applying early helps you secure a place in year groups that fill quickly and gives you more time to weigh up your options. Choosing an international school in Tay Ho shouldn’t be based only on tuition fees or the distance of the school run; you need to compare the curriculum, international accreditation, classroom environment and your child’s long-term pathway. If your family is considering the Tay Ho Tay area, book a tour of Westlink today to meet the admissions team, see the campus in person and get advice on the IB or Bilingual pathway that suits your child.
