FAQs | British Vietnamese International School Hanoi-FAQ page block-Image_ BVIS_Hanoi_7073

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

  • Can my child join the school at any time?

    Yes, we accept applications all year round and your child can start at any point during the academic year. Our staff are experts at helping new students settle in, integrate into their classes, and make friends. 

  • How long does the admissions process take?

    From the moment you get in touch with us to the offer of a place, our admissions process typically takes around two weeks. Timings do vary, though, as each family’s application journey is different. Please get in touch with our admissions team to find out more. 

  • What do your fees include? 

    Your child’s fees include tuition, some extra-curricular activities, day trips, learning materials, lunches and snacks (early years and primary), secondary exam fees, and health insurance.

  • Why do you charge an application fee? 

    Our application fee covers the cost of buying, organising, and administering your child’s entrance assessment. 

  • Is the process different if my company pays the fees?

    If your company is paying your child’s fees, our admissions and finance teams are happy to deal with them directly. Please let us know as early as possible in the process.

  • Will my child need to take a test before they join?  

    Yes, your child will sit an entrance assessment as part of our admissions process. This includes an interview with our Head of Primary, Secondary, or Principal, depending on their age. Our entrance assessment ensures they can access our curriculum, as well as giving us an understanding of any learning needs and preferences.

  • What extra-curricular activities do you offer?

    We run nearly 100 extra-curricular clubs, ensuring every child has the chance to do what they love. Activities take place every Monday and Thursday, and are divided into themed categories. From sports and the arts to science and academia, our enrichment programme encourages students to showcase their talents and pursue new passions.

  • Do you organise day and residential trips for your students?

    Day and overnight trips are an essential part of every student’s BVIS experience. From an early age, your child will enjoy off-campus activities that deepen their understanding of the world and add a real-life dimension to classroom learning.

    Every trip is age-appropriate and designed to develop specific skills, values, and attributes. As well as residentials to areas of interest in Vietnam – including Ha Long Bay, Mai Chau, and Ba Vi – our older students also take part in life-changing expeditions to Nord Anglia centres in Tanzania and Switzerland.

  • How do you help students prepare for – and apply to – university?

    Our students’ academic success takes them to first-choice universities across the world. To help your child get there, our University Guidance Counsellor will support them to make their subject choices and identify potential career pathways. They’ll also guide them through the application process. We organise several university fairs throughout the year, too, giving your family the opportunity to meet representatives from top 100 higher education institutions.

  • Which universities do your students go to?

    Our students’ outstanding A-level success takes them to the very best universities in the UK, Australia, and North America. Destinations include Oxford, King’s College London, the University of Melbourne, and the University of British Columbia.

  • Do you provide lunch?

    Yes, our specialist catering partner prepares high quality lunches every day. We offer a variety of local and international options, and are committed to providing healthy, nutritious, and delicious meals that your child will love. We also cater for a range of dietary requirements and allergies.

  • Do you operate a bus service?

    We run a safe and reliable bus service to and from residential districts across Hanoi. Children are accompanied by trained ‘monitors’ and all our buses are fitted with seat belts.

  • Do your students wear a uniform?

    Yes, students wear our smart, practical, and colourful uniform with pride. As well as creating a strong sense of identity, our uniform ensures every child feels part of a closeknit community.

  • What curricula do you teach?

    At BVIS Hanoi, all our students follow world-renowned British and international curricula.

    We’re one of the only schools in Vietnam to teach the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and International Primary Curriculum (IPC) in both English and Vietnamese. In secondary, your child will study for their IGCSEs and A-levels, which set the standard for global education, and are respected by top universities and employers across the world.

  • What differences are there between your approach and that of other bilingual schools in Vietnam?

    Most bilingual schools in Vietnam deliver the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) curriculum supplemented by subjects taught in English. At BVIS Hanoi, however, our students follow a combination of the National Curriculum for England and International Primary Curriculum. In the early years and primary, lessons are taught in both English and Vietnamese (50-50 in the early years; 60-40 in primary). This creates a truly unique bilingual learning environment that’s unlike any other in the country.

  • Do your students use specific textbooks?

    From the EYFS through to lower secondary, our students – like their counterparts in the UK – don’t follow a specific set of textbooks. Instead, they learn by immersing themselves in a variety of outstanding books and learning resources, which broaden their perspectives and teach the latest knowledge and skills. Students in Years 10-13 have access to subject-specialist materials that help them prepare for their IGCSE and A-level exams.

  • How do you support children for whom English isn’t their first language?

    We offer personalised English as an Additional Language (EAL) programmes for students who need extra help with their speaking, reading, and writing. This is designed around individual needs and delivered either one-to-one, in small groups, or in lessons. Please get in touch with our admissions team to find out more.

  • Do you have provision for children with additional educational needs?

    We provide the personalised care and differentiated teaching each child needs to achieve their very best. This includes specialist support for students with additional educational needs.

    Our Learning Support Department works closely with parents, teachers, and external experts to create individual plans to address specific needs. Students may also receive support in class or be withdrawn from lessons for specialist help.

  • How do you communicate with parents?

    We’ll keep in touch with you in all sorts of ways. These include bespoke apps like SeeSaw, ClassDojo, and our Parent Portal, which teachers use to share feedback and progress updates. You’ll also be invited to regular parent-teacher meetings, workshops, and informal coffee mornings.