International School Ho Chi Minh City - Primary Campus

The Primary Campus is located at 28 Vo Truong Toan, An Khanh, Thu Duc City (formerly District 2), Ho Chi Minh City. The campus sits in a residential area with good access to major districts, and the school has its own bus service covering many parts of the city.

The school serves children from Early Years (from age 2) through Primary up to around age 10–11 (Grade 5). It is part of a wider 2–18 years school but this campus focuses on the early to primary years.

It is a co-educational, day-school.

The school offers Student Support and Enrichment services including tailored programmes for English as an Additional Language (EAL), Learning Support, differentiation and inclusive practices to support individual needs.

The school is international with no formal affiliation to a specific national system.

The school has no religious affiliations.

While the exact daily times are not detailed on publicly available pages, the school operates a regular day schedule with morning advisory, class blocks, a lunch break and co-curricular activities after lessons.

The school operates a bus transportation service for students aged 4 years and above, covering many districts of Ho Chi Minh City. For families with children at both campuses, a complimentary shuttle connects Secondary students for single-drop convenience. Buses are operated to school standards with staff trained in child-safeguarding.

The International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) Primary Campus delivers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) for students aged 2 to 10 (Early Explorer to Grade 5). The Early Years (ages 2–5) programme is inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, encouraging exploration, creativity, and collaboration through play-based, inquiry-led learning. From Grade 1 onward, students continue within the IB PYP framework, developing conceptual understanding across core subjects such as English, mathematics, science, social studies, and the arts. Instruction is in English, with Vietnamese taught as a language subject to promote cultural and linguistic connection. The curriculum also integrates music, visual arts, design technology, and physical education, supported by access to facilities like the Makerspace, Fab Lab, and Primary Library. This foundation prepares students for the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) at ISHCMC’s secondary campus.

International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) promotes social and emotional learning through its “Be Well” model, which focuses on mental, physical, and social wellbeing. Dedicated school counsellors support students individually and in small groups to develop self-awareness, empathy, and positive relationships. SEL themes such as mindfulness, communication, and resilience are integrated into the homeroom and advisory programmes. The Primary Campus also participates in community-wide initiatives like Global Be Well Day, which encourages discussions and activities centred on emotional balance and wellbeing.

ISHCMC supports students with mild to moderate learning needs through its Learning Support programme. The Learning Support team collaborates with teachers, parents, and students to identify needs early and provide individualised strategies and interventions. Where appropriate, Individualised Learning Plans (ILPs) are developed to guide support within the classroom. The school provides assistance for a range of learning differences but is not a specialist SEN institution and does not provide extensive support for severe or complex needs.

Students whose first language is not English receive targeted support through the English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme. Specialist EAL teachers assess students’ English proficiency and provide both in-class and small-group instruction to help them access the mainstream curriculum. The programme emphasises language development in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Collaboration between classroom teachers and EAL staff ensures that language support is integrated across subjects.

Student wellbeing is supported through a comprehensive programme combining pastoral care, counselling, and health services. The Primary Campus includes a wellness centre staffed by trained medical and wellbeing professionals. Mindfulness activities and safe spaces, such as quiet reflection areas, are used to help students manage emotions and reduce stress. The school also organises wellbeing workshops for parents and runs awareness initiatives promoting balanced, healthy lifestyles.

ISHCMC maintains clear safeguarding and child protection policies to ensure the safety of all students. Each campus designates Safeguarding Leads who oversee training, reporting, and the implementation of protective measures. All staff undergo background checks and child protection training before working with students. The school campus includes controlled entry systems, 24-hour security, and monitored visitor access, with safety protocols applied to all school activities and excursions.

1. Online Application
Parents begin by completing the online application form on the ISHCMC website. This form collects details about the student, their previous education, and family background. No payment is required at this stage.

2. Document Submission
Applicants must provide supporting documents including a copy of the student’s passport or birth certificate, passport-sized photo, and the last two years of school reports. A recommendation form is required for Grades 1–12, while Early Years applicants submit a teacher reference. Incomplete applications cannot proceed.

3. Assessment
Once the application and documents are received, the student is invited for an age-appropriate assessment. This may include English language evaluations, cognitive tasks, and a review of learning readiness. For Primary students, the assessment also determines the need for EAL or Learning Support.

4. Admission Decision and Offer
Applications are reviewed by the relevant section principal. If successful, the school issues a formal offer letter. Parents confirm acceptance by signing the Parent Agreement and paying the non-refundable Admissions Fee.

5. Enrolment and Orientation
After acceptance, families complete medical and health forms and submit vaccination records. The school then schedules an orientation to introduce new students and parents to campus routines, teachers, and school life.

The school does not publicly disclose any scholarship or bursary programme on its website. All students are subject to the standard admissions and tuition fee policies.

The school does not publicly state that it operates a waitlist or pool system.