Hanoi International School

Hanoi International School (HIS) is located at 48 Liễu Giai Street, Giảng Võ Ward, Ba Đình District, Hanoi, Vietnam. The school sits in central Hanoi, close to major embassies, residential areas, and key transport routes. Its convenient location allows easy access from many neighbourhoods across the city, supported by the school’s own bus network. The surrounding area is urban and well-connected with amenities and public services nearby.

HIS serves students from ages 4 to 18. The school is structured into three main sections: the Primary Years (Early Years to Grade 5), the Middle Years (Grades 6–10), and the Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12). Each stage follows the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework.

HIS is a co-educational, English-medium day school. It does not provide boarding facilities, with all students attending on a day basis. The school accepts both local and international students.

The school provides inclusion and learning diversity support through its Student Support and Well-Being programme. It offers English as an Additional Language (EAL) and Basic English Support (BES) services, with in-class and small-group sessions delivered by specialist teachers. HIS is not a specialist SEN school but provides support for students with mild to moderate learning needs within its mainstream programmes.

The school has no specific country affiliation. It operates as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School in Vietnam.

Hanoi International School has no religious affiliation and welcomes students of all faiths and backgrounds.

The school day begins at 7:45 am and finishes at 3:00 pm for all students. On days when the Co-Curricular Programme (CCP) runs, activities continue until 4:00 pm. Students have scheduled breaks and lunchtime during the day, and all buses depart at either 3:00 pm or 4:00 pm, depending on participation in after-school activities.

HIS operates an optional school bus service covering most areas of Hanoi. All buses are fitted with seat belts and include a bus monitor responsible for student safety. Regular routes depart at 3:00 pm, with a later 4:00 pm bus provided for students attending after-school clubs. Parents may register for the service on an annual, semester, or quarterly basis.

Hanoi International School (HIS) offers the full continuum of the International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes, comprising the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP). The PYP, for students in Early Years to Grade 5, focuses on inquiry-based learning across six transdisciplinary themes. The MYP, covering Grades 6 to 10, develops academic and personal growth through eight subject groups, including Language and Literature, Sciences, Mathematics, and the Arts. In Grades 11 and 12, students follow the IB Diploma Programme, selecting six subjects alongside the core components: Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS). French, Vietnamese, Korean, and Japanese are offered as additional language options, and EAL support is integrated throughout all levels. The IB structure allows students to progress seamlessly through internationally recognised qualifications.

HIS states that its Student Support & Well-Being programme emphasises social-emotional learning by promoting transferable skills and a reflective approach to building independent learners. The school highlights its use of homeroom, counselling, and pastoral care in the MYP and DP phases as part of this support system. Homeroom teachers meet students regularly—each student in MYP/DP is allocated a homeroom teacher who begins each day with a ten-minute check-in and one weekly homeroom period. The school says this daily contact supports students’ sense of belonging and awareness of life-skills issues.
Additionally, the statement emphasises that teachers aim to scaffold individual student learning and self-identity, and the school values parent-school partnerships in working on social-emotional matters. This support is embedded across the school continuum—not just for academic skills but for self-management, organisation, and emotional wellbeing.

HIS publishes an Inclusion; Supporting Learning Diversity policy which states the school welcomes “students from diverse backgrounds and strengths” and offers support to meet individual needs—including students who are challenged or gifted. The policy clarifies that the school “currently does not usually accept students with physical disabilities due to the nature of our facilities.” It also describes a graduated approach involving Individual Education Plans (IEPs) or Student Support Plans (SSPs) for students with identified needs. Thus, HIS is not a specialist SEN institution but a mainstream international school that offers additional learning support for a range of needs, with assessment, monitoring, and differentiated teaching and reporting to parents.

HIS states that it provides “English Language Acquisition” support as part of its student support services in MYP/DP, and in the Elementary phase, the class teacher is responsible for “helping students who need to affirm their self-identity” and developing skills in language, writing, reading, etc. The website notes that identification of EAL needs may occur during admissions or during attendance, and then provision is made via in-class scaffolding, small groups, and co-teaching. Therefore, HIS does support EAL students with dedicated programmes, though the details of hours or cost are not fully published.

The school presents its Student Support & Well-Being page with language that reinforces the importance of happiness, balance, and students knowing they are valued. HIS says it provides counselling, homeroom support, and pastoral care to promote these aims. However, the website does not publish a detailed separate “mental health programme” (e.g., full-time on-site psychologist, peer mentoring, etc.) with full staff listings or protocols.

HIS indicates that it operates under the standards of the Council of International Schools (CIS) accreditation and publishes a general “Rules & Regulations for IB Schools” policy, which together point to its safeguarding, child-protection, and ethical frameworks. The school’s mission includes respect for the rights of children and reference to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Yet the website does not present a detailed public-facing “Child Protection Policy” document (with full reporting procedures) on the main pages.

1. Book a school visit or attend an information session.
Families are encouraged to schedule a campus visit to tour the facilities, meet the admissions team, and discuss the school’s programmes. This initial meeting helps parents understand the IB curriculum and determine if the school is a suitable fit for their child.

2. Submit the application form and required documents.
Parents must complete the HIS online application form and provide supporting documents, including copies of the student’s passport, recent school reports, and health records. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but families are advised to apply early as spaces are limited.

3. Attend an assessment and interview.
Applicants are invited for an age-appropriate academic assessment, which may include English reading, writing, and comprehension tasks. Older students also attend an interview or classroom visit to help the school evaluate learning readiness and placement. An assessment fee applies at this stage.

4. Receive an offer and confirm enrolment.
Successful applicants receive a formal offer letter outlining the placement and required fees. Parents confirm acceptance by paying the enrolment fee and the refundable security deposit, which secures the student’s place.

5. Pay tuition fees and prepare for school entry.
Families select a payment plan (annual, semester, or quarterly) and settle tuition fees before the start of the term. The admissions office assists with final arrangements such as transportation registration, uniforms, and orientation schedules before the first day of school.

HIS operates a waitlist system for year levels that have reached capacity. Applicants placed on the waitlist are contacted as soon as a vacancy arises, and admissions are considered on a rolling basis. The school does not operate a formal pool or ranking system; placement depends on available space and suitability following assessment.