MOET-Cambridge, IB or Bilingual? Comparing International Curriculums for Your Child in Vietnam What exactly is a MOET (Ministry of Education and Training)-Cambridge curriculum? It's a question many parents ask when weighing up international pathways for their child. In short, it's a model that combines the Vietnamese national curriculum with subjects taught to Cambridge standards. This Westlink guide walks parents through how the main options available today differ, so you can choose a pathway that better matches your child's English level and your family's long-term goals. What Is a MOET-Cambridge Curriculum, and What Does "Integrated" Mean? In simple terms, a MOET-Cambridge curriculum combines two programmes within a single learning pathway: part of it follows Vietnam's national curriculum, and the rest follows the UK's Cambridge framework. The MOET-Cambridge model keeps the core of Vietnam's education system in place, while teaching a number of subjects to Cambridge standards in English. "Integrated" means the two frameworks run side by side, rather than one replacing the other. This lets a child keep a solid grounding in the Vietnamese system while also gaining exposure to international standards, which is why many families choose this model when they want to keep both options open. The MOET Side: A Nationally Recognised Graduation Certificate The MOET side ensures a child still follows Vietnam's national education framework — a point that reassures many Vietnamese families when choosing an integrated pathway. Students continue to study compulsory subjects in Vietnamese and sit the Ministry's official exams. As a result, the child receives a graduation certificate issued by Vietnam, carrying the same standing as one earned in the public school system. This keeps a domestic option open for families who may want to change direction later on. The Cambridge Side: Subjects, Assessment, and English-Language Certificates The Cambridge side usually focuses on subjects that lend themselves well to being taught in English — most commonly English, Mathematics and Science. These subjects are taught and assessed to international standards, with students sitting Cambridge assessments at each stage rather than relying solely on traditional exams. The Cambridge side leads to English-language and academic certificates that are recognised internationally — an advantage if your child applies to study abroad later on. An integrated model combining Vietnam's curriculum with Cambridge standards What Are the Key Milestones on the MOET-Cambridge Pathway? The MOET-Cambridge pathway isn't a single block — it's a sequence of milestones running from primary school through to the end of secondary school. Understanding this sequence helps parents see exactly where their child stands, making it easier to picture the next step ahead. An integrated pathway running from primary school through to the end of secondary school Primary → Lower Secondary → IGCSE → AS/A-Level A typical MOET-Cambridge pathway follows the milestones below: Primary: children are introduced to basic Cambridge subjects in English, typically sitting a Cambridge Checkpoint assessment at the end of the stage to check their foundations. Lower secondary: academic content in English becomes progressively more demanding, requiring stronger reading comprehension and the ability to handle more complex concepts. Grade 10: students sit IGCSE, an international secondary-level qualification, which serves as a stepping stone towards the pre-university stage. Grades 11–12: students study AS and A-Level, equivalent to the final stage of secondary school in the UK system. On completion, a child can come away with a dual qualification. This dual qualification typically comprises a Cambridge certificate alongside the Ministry's graduation certificate, which is why many families see this route as a flexible option. How Do the "Vietnamese / Bilingual / Fully International" Levels Differ? Many schools structure their pathways around the proportion of English used, which is why parents often come across terms like "80% English". Each level suits a different starting point in English. Vietnamese-medium level: mostly follows MOET, with additional Cambridge English. This is a safer starting point for students whose English isn't yet strong. Bilingual level: more subjects are taught in English, usually Mathematics and Science. Children build a Vietnamese foundation while also getting used to academic English. Fully international level: instruction is almost entirely in English, following Cambridge, with only the essential MOET subjects retained. The advantage is that a child can move between levels as their ability develops, rather than being locked into one track from the start — many students begin at a lower level and move up as their English becomes stronger. Comparing MOET-Cambridge, IB, and Bilingual Programmes This is a part many parents overlook, yet it has a major bearing on which school they choose. MOET-Cambridge, IB, and mainstream bilingual programmes are three distinct routes. MOET-Cambridge doesn't just differ from IB and bilingual programmes in the language of instruction — it also differs in outcomes, assessment methods, and the type of skills each one builds. Quick Comparison Table Criteria MOET-Cambridge IB Mainstream Bilingual Language of instruction MOET in Vietnamese + Cambridge subjects in English 100% English at every school Vietnamese–English combination, weighted towards Vietnamese Outcome Cambridge certificates (IGCSE, A-Level) + MOET graduation certificate IB Diploma MOET graduation certificate, with additional foreign-language support Nature of the programme Studied and examined subject by subject Interdisciplinary, project-based, with a strong focus on critical thinking Follows the national framework, supplemented with international skills Best suited to Strong exam-takers heading towards the UK or Australia Students who enjoy exploration and long-term project work Families wanting a balance between Vietnamese and international education This table is only a general guide — implementation varies from school to school, so parents should still check the specifics for each one. Who Is Cambridge Best Suited To — and Who Is IB Best Suited To? Cambridge's strength lies in its clear, subject-by-subject structure. Children sit IGCSE and A-Level and go deeper into a few subjects they're strong in — a route that suits students who do well with a more specialised style of learning. Cambridge also suits families aiming for further study in the UK or Australia. IB, by contrast, places its emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, project work, and critical thinking throughout. IB suits students who enjoy asking questions, exploring independently, and developing across the board. It's also a framework widely recognised by universities around the world. Neither option is categorically better than the other. How Do You Know Which Pathway Is Right for Your Child? Before choosing between MOET-Cambridge and IB, start with your child and your family's goals. The two questions below are usually enough to narrow things down. First, how ready is your child to learn in English? Second, does your family want to keep the door open to studying abroad, staying in Vietnam, or both? Assessing Your Child's English Foundation and Readiness Start by taking an honest look at your child's current English ability — this is the factor that determines whether they'll be able to keep up. If your child's English isn't yet strong enough to study Maths and Science in English, don't rush them into a higher level — they can easily become overwhelmed and lose confidence. A few signs that a child is ready: Can listen to and read instructions in English without needing translation. Can present simple opinions in front of the class in English on their own. Can keep up with subject tests conducted in English, not just the English subject itself. For illustration (a hypothetical example): a Year 2 child has just moved into an English-enhanced class. If they can keep up with Maths taught in English, that's a sign they may be ready to move up a level. If they're not quite keeping up, a pathway with a gentler transition is the safer choice — and the school should offer clear language support for your child. Family Goals: Studying Abroad, Staying in Vietnam, or Keeping Both Options Open The second question is which direction your family wants your child to take after secondary school. This goal has a direct bearing on the pathway you choose — if studying abroad is decided early on, a strong international framework will make your child's application more compelling. If you'd rather keep both options open, prioritise a pathway that leads to both an international certificate and a MOET certificate. Many families are still undecided at this stage, in which case a more flexible pathway carries less risk. Choose with a 5–10 year horizon in mind, not just the year ahead — a good pathway should be flexible enough to leave room for your child to adjust course later. Choosing an International Pathway in Hanoi Parents in Hanoi have a range of options: premium bilingual schools, Cambridge-integrated systems, and international schools that follow IB. Once they understand these differences, quite a few families lean towards IB for the long term, since it builds thinking and learning skills rather than focusing on exam drilling alone. Image: Westlink runs an IB pathway and a Bilingual Programme for its students The IB Continuum at Westlink (PYP–MYP–DP) and the Bilingual Programme Westlink runs the IB continuum: the Primary Years Programme (PYP) at primary level, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) at lower secondary level, and is gradually expanding towards the Diploma Programme (DP) for upper secondary students. The school opened in 2022, on a 2.5-hectare campus in Tay Ho Tay, Hanoi. Important: Westlink does not offer the Cambridge curriculum. If your child needs IGCSE or A-Level, this isn't the right fit. Alongside the IB, Westlink's Bilingual Programme follows a framework that combines international standards with the Ministry of Education and Training curriculum. This route suits families who want their child to develop bilingually while keeping a solid grounding in Vietnamese. You can find the full details of each stage of the IB pathway on Westlink's programme pages. Trust Signals: IB World School Status, the ISP Network, and Experiencing the School Before You Enrol When weighing up an IB school, parents should check its actual accreditation status. Westlink is an IB World School: the Primary Years Programme (PYP) has been authorised since 1 May 2024, and the Middle Years Programme (MYP) since 3 December 2025, as recorded in the IB's official system (IBIS). The school belongs to the International Schools Partnership (ISP), a network of more than 110 international schools across over 25 countries, educating more than 100,000 students. Westlink brings together a multinational student community representing more than 30 nationalities, alongside 50+ extracurricular activities. Notably, its transparent seven-step admissions process lets students experience the school firsthand before a family makes its final decision. Parents can book a visit to see the campus in person and speak with the academic advisory team about the learning pathway and any other questions. MOET-Cambridge, IB, and bilingual programmes each have their own strengths, but none of them suits every student equally. Start with your child's English ability, your family's long-term goals, and how your child learns best. If you're considering an IB pathway in Hanoi, Book a tour of Westlink to get personal guidance from the school's Admissions team.
