Australian International School (AIS) Saigon Review 2026: Full Guide for Expat Families

Australian International School Saigon is one of the best-known international school options for expat families comparing curricula in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Australian International School Saigon (AIS) is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most established international schools, offering a genuine Australian curriculum from Foundation through to Year 12 on a purpose-built campus in Thu Thiem, District 2. For expat families relocating to HCMC — particularly those from Australia, New Zealand, or anywhere familiar with the ACARA framework — AIS delivers continuity of education without compromise. This guide covers everything: curriculum, fees, admissions, campus, and what living near AIS actually looks like day-to-day.

What Is Australian International School Saigon?

The Australian International School Saigon was founded in 1994 and is owned and operated by Cognita, a global group of over 100 premium schools. It sits in the Thu Thiem new urban area of District 2 — the same precinct that now houses Vincom Mega Mall and the expanding expat corridor bridging D2 and D1 across the Thu Thiem tunnel and bridge.

AIS is not simply a school that uses Australian textbooks. It is formally accredited to deliver the ACARA curriculum, which means credits transfer cleanly back to Australian state schools, and Year 12 students graduate with ATAR scores recognised by Australian universities. That credential portability is the core reason Australian families choose it over other international schools in the city.

Australian International School Saigon Curriculum and Programmes

The academic programme at the australian international school saigon runs across three tiers:

• Early Learning (ELC 3–4): Play-based learning aligned to the Australian Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).
• Primary School (Foundation–Year 6): Full ACARA delivery across English, Mathematics, Science, HASS, The Arts, Technologies, and Health & PE.
• Secondary School (Years 7–12): ACARA-aligned junior secondary, leading to the Senior Secondary Certificate. Year 11 and 12 students can pursue the ATAR pathway, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), or a combined pathway depending on their university destinations.

The dual ATAR/IB offering at senior level is a meaningful differentiator. Families unsure whether their child will return to Australia or head to a UK or US university can defer that decision until Year 10.

AIS Thu Thiem Campus: Location and Facilities

The campus is located at 264 Mai Chi Tho Boulevard, An Phu Ward, Thu Thiem, HCMC. The address places it in the heart of the D2 expat belt — walkable from several large serviced apartment complexes and a short Grab ride from The Estella, Masteri, and Empire City.

Facilities include:

• 50-metre swimming pool and additional training pool
• Full-size football pitch and athletics track
• Performing arts centre with tiered seating
• Dedicated STEM labs and maker spaces across primary and secondary
• Two libraries (primary and secondary)
• School bus network covering D1, D2, D3, D7, Binh Thanh, and Thu Duc

AIS Saigon delivers the Australian curriculum from Foundation to Year 12. The Thu Thiem campus is 25 minutes from D1 by car — manageable for families making the D1 base work. Fees and admissions are mapped in full here.

Australian International School Saigon Fees 2025–2026

AIS publishes its fee schedule annually. The figures below are indicative for the 2025–2026 academic year based on the school’s published schedule and should be confirmed directly with admissions:

• ELC 3 (part-time): approx. USD 9,800/year
• ELC 4 / Foundation: approx. USD 14,200/year
• Years 1–6: approx. USD 18,500–20,500/year
• Years 7–10: approx. USD 22,500–24,000/year
• Years 11–12 (ATAR or IB): approx. USD 26,500–27,500/year

In addition to tuition, families pay a capital levy (one-time, non-refundable) of approximately USD 4,500 per student on enrolment, plus an annual resource fee of roughly USD 800–1,200 depending on year level. Bus fees are charged separately at around USD 1,800–2,400/year depending on zone. According to the Cognita Group’s 2024 published school data, AIS Saigon ranks among the top-tier fee schools in Southeast Asia, consistent with its facilities and accreditation profile.

Admissions Process at AIS Saigon

The admissions process at the australian international school saigon is straightforward but selective. Here is the standard sequence:

1. Online enquiry and tour: Submit an enquiry via the AIS website. Campus tours run on weekday mornings most of the school year.
2. Application form and documents: Submit birth certificate, current school report (2 years), passport copy, and immunisation records. Secondary applicants also submit an English proficiency statement.
3. Assessment: Primary students complete a short in-school assessment (literacy and numeracy). Secondary students may be interviewed by the Head of Secondary.
4. Offer letter and enrolment deposit: If a place is available, an offer is made and the family pays the capital levy and first-term deposit to secure the spot.
5. Orientation: New families receive a dedicated orientation session before the start date.

Waitlists are common for Foundation through Year 3 and for Year 10–11 (ATAR entry). Families relocating to HCMC should apply a minimum of six months in advance where possible, particularly for August-entry positions.

English Language Support and Inclusion

AIS offers an English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme embedded across all year levels. For families arriving from non-English-speaking backgrounds, EAL support is included in tuition for the first year of enrolment, with additional support available at an hourly charge after that. The school’s student body — over 50 nationalities by the school’s own data — means EAL is a well-resourced and experienced department, not an afterthought.

For students with learning differences, AIS has a dedicated Learning Support team. Parents should disclose any existing educational psychologist reports or diagnoses during the application process. AIS is inclusive but not a specialist learning-needs school; families with high-support-needs children should have a direct conversation with the Learning Support Coordinator before committing to enrolment.

University Outcomes and Senior School Results

For families focused on university placement, AIS’s Year 12 outcomes are the proof point that matters most. According to AIS’s 2024 Annual Report, 100% of AIS Year 12 graduates received offers to university in their first round, with students placing into universities across Australia, the UK, Canada, the US, and Asia.

ATAR median scores and IB points are not published publicly, but the school’s reputation among HCMC expat parents — and among Australian university admissions officers who are familiar with the school — is consistently strong. Specific outcomes for individual Australian states vary; Queensland ATAR equivalents differ from NSW equivalents, and families should confirm their home-state requirements with AIS’s university counselling team.

AIS Saigon vs. Other International Schools in HCMC

How does the australian international school saigon compare to the other tier-one options in Ho Chi Minh City?

• vs. British Vietnamese International School (BVIS): BVIS follows the English National Curriculum and Cambridge IGCSE/A-Level pathway. Better fit for UK-destination families; AIS is the default for Australian ATAR families.
• vs. International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC): ISHCMC is a full IB World School (PYP, MYP, DP). Strong choice for families who want IB exclusively, or who are uncertain about destination country.
• vs. Saigon South International School (SSIS): SSIS runs the US curriculum (AP/SAT) and is the top choice for US and Korean families. Located in District 7 — a very different geography from AIS in D2.
• vs. Renaissance International School: Smaller, British-curriculum school in D7. Lower fees, smaller cohort. Different community feel entirely.

For Australian families, or for any family wanting ATAR as a university entry option, AIS is the only credible choice in HCMC. The IB dual pathway at Year 11–12 makes it viable for non-Australian families too.

Living Near AIS Saigon: Best Neighbourhoods for Families

Location matters. Families enrolling at AIS typically base themselves in one of three zones:

• District 2 / Thu Thiem (closest): Masteri Thao Dien, The Estella Heights, Empire City, and Sala City are all within 5–10 minutes of campus. D2 is the most convenient option, with strong expat infrastructure — supermarkets, international clinics, international food, and the Thao Dien cafe strip.
• District 1 (25 min by car): Possible for families who prioritise city-centre living. The school bus covers key D1 pickup points, making this workable. Rush-hour traffic on the Thu Thiem tunnel can push journey times to 35–40 minutes.
• District 7 / Phu My Hung (30–35 min): D7 has its own expat ecosystem and many Korean/Japanese families. The bus route covers D7, but the commute is longer and less predictable. Generally not the first choice for AIS families.

For most AIS families, District 2 — specifically Thao Dien and An Phu — is the natural base. Rental prices in D2 are among the highest in HCMC (expect USD 1,800–4,500/month for a 2–3 bedroom apartment depending on building and floor), but the lifestyle infrastructure around the school is excellent.

Extracurricular Activities and Community at AIS

AIS runs an extensive co-curricular programme. The SAIGON CUP football tournament, hosted by AIS, draws teams from across Southeast Asia. Swimming, basketball, touch rugby, volleyball, and athletics are strongly represented at the inter-school competition level (SEASAC). Performing arts productions — full musicals, drama productions, and instrumental concerts — run across primary and secondary each year.

The parent community at AIS is active. The AIS Parents Association (AISPA) organises termly events, a new-family welcome programme, and community fundraisers. For newly arrived expat families, this social infrastructure is underrated — the AISPA Facebook group is often the first place parents get practical HCMC advice beyond the school gates.