What are the schools in Ho Chi Minh City like?

"Ho Chi Minh City is home to a number of excellent international and bilingual schools. The British International School (BIS) is one of the most highly regarded international schools in the city. It offers a British-style curriculum and is accredited by the Council of International Schools. The school has a strong focus on academic excellence and provides a wide range of extracurricular activities. The International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) is another top international school in the city. It offers an American-style curriculum and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The school has a strong emphasis on developing global citizens and provides a wide range of extracurricular activities. The French International School (FIS) is a bilingual school that offers a French-style curriculum. It is accredited by the French Ministry of Education and has a strong focus on developing bilingual students. The school also offers a wide range of extracurricular activities," commented one expat when asked about in Ho Chi Minh City.

"They have solid exam results and the education is probably on par with the British International School (both schools got the same inspection results). However, there are very few extracurricular activities here and if there's any, it is probably not very interesting. Sports is not a big thing here, and so is arts (drama productions are ... eh) - it is more academic. Very few social events for students in the school and lack of enthusiasm from the students to participate. The school's biggest advantages are the education and the students - very friendly and motivated to achieve great results but that's all. Not truly an international school (lack of diversity). BIS or SSIS (American curriculum) are more preferable (very diverse - they have caps on the number of students from each nationality). In Hanoi, I suggest UNIS - it's a good school but very hard to get in," remarked one expat living in Ho Chi Minh City with children attending ABC International School.