Japanese School Enrollment Guide in HCMC: Japanese Schools, Kindergartens & International Schools

In Ho Chi Minh City, school options for Japanese children include the Japanese School (elementary and junior high), the Japanese Supplementary School (Saturday classes), and Japanese kindergartens (Oozora, Mirai, Thao Dien JV). When international schools are included, the range of choices is even broader, allowing families to choose based on their educational priorities and their child's age. This article summarizes each school and kindergarten for Japanese families, including names, addresses, websites, estimated tuition, and pros and cons.

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Part 1: Schools and Kindergartens for Japanese Families

1. The Japanese School in HCMC (Elementary and Junior High)

The Japanese School in Ho Chi Minh City is an overseas educational institution that follows the curriculum guidelines of Japan's Ministry of Education (MEXT).

Item	Details
Official name	The Japanese School in Ho Chi Minh City
Address	Saigon South, Block M9, Tan Phu St., Tan Phu Ward, District 7, HCMC
Phone	+84-28-3638-0012
Website	https://jschoolhcmc.com/
Levels offered	Elementary, Junior High
Curriculum	Based on MEXT curriculum guidelines
Language of instruction	Japanese (with English and Vietnamese classes)
School terms	3-term system (starting in April)
Estimated tuition	Monthly tuition approx. 10.4 million VND (approx. 400 USD), enrollment fee approx. 13 million VND (JCCH members) / approx. 19.5 million VND (non-members), school bus approx. 3.9 million VND/month

Pros:

• Smooth transition when returning to schools in Japan (follows MEXT curriculum)
• Teachers dispatched from Japan; Japanese textbooks provided free of charge
• Traditional Japanese events held: sports day, cultural festival, field trips
• Tuition significantly lower than international schools
• School bus available (covering District 7, Thu Duc City, Binh Thanh District)
• Japanese-language environment naturally maintains children's Japanese proficiency

Cons:

• Only elementary and junior high levels (no kindergarten or high school)
• English is taught as a subject but is not used in daily school life
• Located in Phu My Hung, District 7, so commuting from other districts may take time

Enrollment process

1. Initial inquiry: Contact the school through its website, specifying desired enrollment period and grade level
2. Document preparation: Application form, enrollment certificate, academic transcript, health certificate, passport copy, ID photos
3. Admission screening: Primarily document-based. Some grade levels may require an interview or academic assessment
4. Admission and payment: Textbook distribution (free), purchase of uniform and gym clothes
5. Enrollment / Transfer: Mid-term transfers are accepted

Facilities

Classrooms (air-conditioned), library (extensive Japanese book collection), gymnasium, playground, swimming pool, science lab, music room, home economics room, nurse's office.

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2. HCMC Japanese Supplementary School (Saturday Classes)

This is a supplementary school for families who want their children to study Japanese language and math from the Japanese curriculum while attending an international school.

Item	Details
Official name	HCMC Japanese Supplementary School
Address	Same facility as The Japanese School in HCMC (District 7)
Email	hcmchoshuko@gmail.com
Website	https://jss-hcmc.asia/
Class days	Every Saturday, 9:00 - 12:00
Eligibility	Grades 1 - 9 (Japanese nationality)
Subjects	Japanese Language (Kokugo), Mathematics (using Japanese textbooks)
Estimated tuition	Paid per term (please contact the school directly for details)

Pros:

• Maintains Japanese language ability and academic level while attending an international school
• Uses Japanese textbooks, minimizing the academic gap when returning to Japan
• Children can make Japanese friends in similar circumstances

Cons:

• Only once a week (Saturdays), so the amount of study is limited
• Requires commuting to District 7

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3. Japanese Kindergartens (Kindergartens with Japanese instruction)

Ho Chi Minh City has several kindergartens run by Japanese operators, offering education based on Japanese childcare principles.

Oozora Japanese Kindergarten

Item	Details
Address	No.8-10, 20st., My Gia 1, Phu My Hung, Tan Phu Ward, Dist. 7, HCMC
Phone	093 828 9645 (Japanese) / (028) 5417 0291
Website	https://ozorahcmc.com/
Ages	2 - 5 years old
Capacity	Approx. 80 children (20 per age group)
Estimated tuition	Enrollment fee approx. 24.98 million VND, monthly fee approx. 12.99 million VND

Pros:

• Japanese-style childcare curriculum led by a Japanese principal
• Located in a quiet residential area of Phu My Hung, District 7, with many parks and a pleasant environment
• Close to the Japanese School, making the transition to elementary school smooth
• Small class sizes (20 per age group) for personalized attention

Cons:

• Families living outside District 7 face a longer commute
• Limited capacity, so availability should be checked in advance

Mirai Kindergarten (Main campus: Thao Dien / Branch: District 7)

Item	Main campus (Thao Dien)	District 7 branch
Address	N11, 9 St., Thao Dien Ward, Thu Duc City	81-83-85, 27 St., Tan Phong Ward, Dist. 7
Phone	070 833 1833 (Japanese)	(028) 5433 3927
Website	https://miraiyouchien.com/	Same as above
Ages	From 1 year 6 months to 5 years old	2 - 5 years old
Estimated tuition	Enrollment fee from approx. 19.6 million VND, monthly fee from approx. 12 million VND	Same as above

Pros:

• Motto: "Nurturing the ability to live through play." Equipped with a garden and pool
• Meals use organic vegetables from Da Lat, with a focus on food education (shokuiku)
• Two campuses (Thao Dien and District 7), allowing families to choose by location
• Regular activities for pre-kindergarten children

Cons:

• The two campuses are in different areas, so families may need to switch if they relocate

Thao Dien JV Kindergarten

Item	Details
Address	12 Street No. 9, Thao Dien Ward, Thu Duc City
Phone	(028) 3636 3543
Website	https://thaodienhcmc.vn/
Ages	2 - 5 years old
Established	2019

Pros:

• Emphasizes active learning: "proactive, interactive, and deep learning"
• Conveniently located for expat families living in the Thao Dien area
• Relatively new facilities

Cons:

• Somewhat far for families living in District 7
• Please contact the kindergarten directly for detailed tuition information

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Part 2: International Schools (Reference Information)

As an alternative to the Japanese School, international schools in Ho Chi Minh City are also popular among Japanese families. They offer the advantage of an English-language learning environment, but tuition is significantly higher than at the Japanese School. Below are the major schools that Japanese students have attended and that are conveniently located.

SSIS (Saigon South International School)

Item	Details
Address	78 Nguyen Duc Canh, Tan Phong Ward, District 7
Curriculum	American (AP, IB Diploma)
Eligibility	Kindergarten to Grade 12
Language of instruction	English
Website	https://www.ssis.edu.vn/
Estimated tuition	Approx. 479 million - 882 million VND/year (varies by grade)

Pros: Located in Phu My Hung, District 7, close to the Japanese School. Has a significant Japanese student body and community. Offers both AP and IB programs. Cons: High tuition. Students without English proficiency may struggle initially.

ISHCMC (International School Ho Chi Minh City)

Item	Details
Address	28 Vo Truong Toan, An Phu Ward, Thu Duc City
Curriculum	Full IB (PYP/MYP/DP)
Eligibility	Kindergarten to Grade 12
Language of instruction	English
Website	https://www.ishcmc.com/
Estimated tuition	Approx. 662 million - 725 million VND/year

Pros: One of the longest-established international schools in HCMC. Highly regarded as a full IB school. Cons: Very high tuition. Located in Thu Duc City (formerly District 2), somewhat far from District 7.

BIS HCMC (British International School)

Item	Details
Address	246 Nguyen Van Huong, Thao Dien, Thu Duc City
Curriculum	British (IGCSE, A-Level), Nord Anglia network
Eligibility	Kindergarten to Year 13
Language of instruction	English
Website	https://www.nordangliaeducation.com/bis-hcmc
Estimated tuition	Approx. 322 million - 956 million VND/year (varies by grade)

Pros: Part of the global Nord Anglia network. Located in Thao Dien, an area with a large Japanese community. Cons: Tuition increases significantly in higher grades. The British curriculum differs from the Japanese system, so families should plan carefully for the transition back to Japan.

Other Notable International Schools

School name	Area	Curriculum	Features
AIS (Australian International School)	Thu Duc City	Australian + IB	Kindergarten to high school
Renaissance International School Saigon	District 7	British (IGCSE/A-Level)	Kindergarten to high school
EIS (European International School)	Binh Thanh District	IB World School	English-French bilingual
TAS (The American School)	Binh Thanh District	American

Please check the latest tuition fees and admission requirements on each school's official website.

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Comparison by School Type

Criteria	Japanese School	Japanese Kindergarten	International School
Language of instruction	Japanese	Japanese	English
Transfer back to Japan	Smooth (follows MEXT curriculum)	-	Returnee (kikokushijo) quota required
English proficiency	Taught as a subject	Varies by school	Acquired naturally in daily life
Tuition (annual estimate)	Approx. 50 million VND	Approx. 12 - 15 million VND/month	Approx. 300 million - 900 million VND
Japanese events	Yes (sports day, cultural festival)	Yes	No
Maintaining Japanese	No concern	No concern	Requires supplementary school

Education After Returning to Japan

Since the Japanese School follows MEXT curriculum guidelines, transferring to schools in Japan is smooth. After graduating junior high, students can take high school entrance exams in Japan, including through the returnee student (kikokushijo) track. If returning from an international school, families should research high schools that accept returnee students in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my child transfer mid-year?

Yes, the Japanese School accepts mid-term transfers to accommodate families' assignment timing. Please contact the school in advance.

Is there a kindergarten or high school?

The Japanese School only has elementary and junior high levels. For kindergarten, consider Japanese kindergartens (Oozora, Mirai, Thao Dien JV). For high school, options include returning to Japan for entrance exams or attending the high school division of an international school.

Can my child maintain Japanese while attending an international school?

The HCMC Japanese Supplementary School (every Saturday, 9:00 - 12:00) offers Japanese Language and Mathematics classes. Using Japanese textbooks, it helps maintain academic readiness for returning to Japan.

Which is better: the Japanese School or an international school?

If you plan to return your child to a Japanese school or prioritize a Japanese-language environment, the Japanese School is the reliable choice. If you want your child to develop English skills or are considering overseas university education, an international school is an option. Since tuition differs significantly, it is recommended to consider your company's education allowance as well.

Meal Support in Ho Chi Minh City

Japanese ingredients for bento boxes and dinners can be ordered in Japanese through the Farmi app. Farmi is an online grocery delivery app available in Ho Chi Minh City, supporting Japanese, English, and Vietnamese, with delivery in as fast as one hour.

Summary

Ho Chi Minh City offers the Japanese School (elementary and junior high, approx. 400 USD/month), the Japanese Supplementary School (Saturday classes), and three Japanese kindergartens (Oozora, Mirai, Thao Dien JV), providing Japanese-language education from early childhood through junior high graduation. International schools (SSIS, ISHCMC, BIS, etc.) also have track records with Japanese families and are an option for those prioritizing an English-language environment. International school tuition ranges from approx. 300 million to 900 million VND per year, several times higher than the Japanese School, so families should consider their company's education allowance and return plans.

Note: This article and some images were created with the assistance of AI (artificial intelligence) and reviewed by the editorial team before publication. School information and tuition fees are reference values at the time of writing. Please check each school's official website for the latest information.