International School in Vietnam: Check Accreditation First

International school in Vietnam fees can reach thousands of dollars a year, so a parent should check two things before paying any deposit. First, ask whether the school is licensed to operate. Second, ask whether an outside body has accredited it. This short guide shows how to do both in a few days.

Why check before you pay

Many families in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are choosing international schools. New campuses are opening, and the brochures all look polished. A brochure is not proof of anything. Tuition deposits are often large and sometimes hard to get back. A few quiet questions in the first week can save a family a lot of money and stress.

Two different checks matter, and they are not the same. A license says a school may legally operate in Vietnam. Accreditation says an independent group has reviewed how the school teaches and runs itself. A school can have one without the other. You want to see both.

Step one: ask about the license

Foreign investment in education in Vietnam is governed by Decree 73/2012/ND-CP, which covers foreign cooperation and investment in education. Under rules like these, a school that serves students needs approval from the proper Vietnamese education authority before it opens. You do not need to read the law yourself. You only need to ask the school for its paperwork.

• Ask for a copy of the decision or license that lets the school operate.
• Check that the legal name on the paper matches the name on the tuition contract.
• Ask which grades the license covers. A school licensed for primary years may not be licensed for older students.
• Ask the local education department if you are unsure. They can tell you what is on record.

A good school will hand over these papers with no fuss. If staff avoid the question or say "we will send it later," treat that as a warning sign.

Step two: look for independent accreditation

Accreditation is a review by a group that is separate from the school. Several well-known groups work with schools around the world, and each one publishes information about the schools it works with.

• The Council of International Schools (CIS) runs international accreditation for schools and keeps a membership directory.
• ACS WASC, the Accrediting Commission for Schools of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, accredits elementary and secondary schools worldwide. Its website has a directory of schools.
• COBIS, the Council of British International Schools, is a membership group for British-style schools overseas. Its website has a search tool for members.

Do not rely on a logo on the school website. Logos are easy to copy. Open the accreditor's own website, search for the school by name, and read what the listing says. Note the difference between "member" and "accredited." Membership means a school joined a group. Accreditation means the school passed a review. Some schools are in the middle of the process, and a fair school will tell you so.

Step three: ask these questions on a visit

Visit in person if you can. Go on a normal school day, not only an open day. Then ask direct questions.

• When was the school last reviewed, and what did the report say?
• What curriculum does it follow, and who sets the exams?
• How many teachers have formal teaching qualifications, and how long have they stayed?
• What happens to my deposit if we change our minds, or if our plans change?
• If the school closes a grade or moves, what is the plan for my child?

Write down the answers. Compare two or three schools side by side. The school that answers plainly is usually the one to trust.

Read the contract slowly

Before you sign, read the tuition contract from start to finish. Look at when fees are due, which fees are refundable, and what notice you must give to leave. Look for extra charges such as buses, meals, uniforms and exam fees. If the contract is only in English and you are not sure of a clause, ask for time to have it checked. Never feel rushed by a "last places" message. A good school can wait a few days.

A quick checklist

• Get a copy of the operating license and match the school name.
• Confirm the grades the license covers.
• Find the school on an accreditor's own website.
• Learn the difference between member and accredited.
• Visit on a normal school day and write down the answers.
• Read the contract and the refund terms before any deposit.

These steps take a few days and cost nothing. They help you choose an international school in Vietnam on facts, not on a brochure.

Sources: the accreditor websites listed above, ACS WASC (acswasc.org), COBIS (cobis.org.uk) and CIS (cois.org).

This is general information for parents, not legal advice.