Most international schools in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City show families around by appointment rather than on fixed open days. This autumn there's one confirmed open day, and two education fairs for students looking at university and study-abroad options.
Whether you join an open day or book a private tour, here's how to make the visit count.
Which kind of visit is right for you?
- Open day. A welcome talk and campus tour, often for one part of the school.
- Private tour. The usual option in Vietnam. Ask to see a normal lesson in your child's year group.
- Education fair. Many universities or schools in one venue. Best for older students comparing options abroad.
Before you go
Check eligibility. Some international schools in Vietnam limit how many Vietnamese nationals they enrol, and others ask for particular residence documents. If this might apply to your family, ask admissions before you visit.
Check which campus. Several schools run separate campuses for younger and older students. Make sure the open day is at the campus your child would attend.
Plan the journey. Motorbike and car traffic at school-run time can double a journey. Test the route and ask about school bus coverage.
Write your questions down, and bring your child if the session welcomes children.
At an education fair
Education fairs in Vietnam mostly feature overseas universities. They suit teenagers thinking about study abroad. Bring the same few questions to every stand (entry requirements, English requirements, total cost, deadlines), and take notes straight after each conversation.
On the day of a school visit
- Notice how staff speak to students away from the presentation.
- Look at the children's own work on the walls.
- Ask to see an ordinary classroom for your child's age.
- Talk to current parents if you can.
The NovaEd Campus Culture Check gives you eight things to look for and a simple way to rate each one.
Questions worth asking
- How big are classes, and how many adults support each one?
- What support is there for children learning English, and how is Vietnamese taught?
- How long do teachers usually stay?
- What does admissions involve, and when are the deadlines for August 2027?
- Which costs sit outside tuition: application fee, deposit, development fee, bus, lunch, trips?
- How do you settle students who arrive mid-year?
Afterwards
Write down your impressions the same day, and compare schools on the same points. Then book private tours at the schools you'd like to see again.
Confirmed dates in Vietnam, October 2026
| Date | Event | City | Who it's for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 23 Oct, 9:00 | Australian International School, Thao Dien open day | Ho Chi Minh City | Kindergarten to Year 6, parents and children | 36 Thao Dien Road, An Khanh Ward |
| Sat 24 – Sun 25 Oct | Education Fair Hanoi | Hanoi | Students looking at university and study abroad | Venue and hours to be announced by the organiser |
| Tue 27 Oct | Education Fair Ho Chi Minh City | Ho Chi Minh City | Students looking at university and study abroad | Venue and hours to be announced by the organiser |
Free NovaEd guides for your visits
- NovaEd School Visit Guide: what to do before, during and after a school visit, with a question list you can print.
- NovaEd Campus Culture Check: eight things to look for on campus, with a simple rating sheet.
- International schools in Vietnam: browse and compare schools on the NovaEd directory.
Dates are as published on 27 September 2026. Please confirm before you go. NovaEd doesn't organise these events.