German education gains interest among families in Ho Chi Minh City

Within this landscape, German education is emerging as an alternative that combines academic structure, bilingual instruction and access to higher education in Europe.

According to the International German School (IGS), its model integrates academic rigor with multilingual learning and pathways to universities in Germany and other countries.

Since the 2025-2026 academic year, IGS has operated on a new campus designed to support personalized learning and community engagement. The school has around 200 students and more than 30 foreign teachers, primarily from Germany and English-speaking countries. It positions itself as a small international school with relatively small class sizes and a focus on individual academic support.

More updates on school life and activities are available on its Facebook page here.

IGS follows the German education system, which emphasizes structured learning and academic depth. At the same time, it is an IB World School offering the IB Diploma Programme, allowing graduates to apply to universities globally.

Bilingual learning environment

Students engage in interactive classroom activities in a bilingual German-English learning environment. Photo courtesy of IGS

A key feature of the school is its bilingual curriculum, structured as a German-English pathway leading to the IB Diploma.

The model is designed for students without prior German proficiency who wish to pursue a German-aligned academic track while maintaining access to international qualifications.

Both English and German are used as languages of instruction from early stages, with students developing proficiency in both over time.

This approach aims to prepare students for higher education in both German-speaking and English-speaking countries.

Long-term considerations

For many families, school selection is linked to long-term education planning. One factor highlighted by IGS is access to Germany’s higher education system, where public universities typically charge low or no tuition fees, including for international students.

Compared with countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, where tuition fees can be significantly higher, Germany offers a lower-cost option alongside established academic programs, particularly in fields such as engineering, science and economics.

Graduates of IGS, through a combination of the IB Diploma and German curriculum elements, are eligible to apply to universities in Germany and other countries. This is presented as a balance between academic quality, international recognition and cost considerations.

Language support programs

Language requirements are a common concern for families considering German education. IGS offers German-as-a-Foreign-Language (DaF) programs for students without prior knowledge of the language.

Students entering different grade levels are provided with preparatory and intensive courses before the academic year, followed by continued language support during their studies.

According to the school, these preparatory programs are offered free of charge to new students.

The approach is intended to support gradual language development, with students progressively transitioning to more advanced German-language instruction.

Positioning in the market

IGS describes its model as a structured alternative within Vietnam’s international education sector, focusing on bilingual competence, academic consistency and long-term study pathways.

As families increasingly consider factors such as university access, global mobility and education costs, German education is becoming one of several options under consideration in Ho Chi Minh City’s evolving international school market.

Students participate in sports activities as part of school life at IGS. Photo courtesy of IGS

See here for further information or through the school’s admissions hotline at 0982789725. International German School HCMC (IGS) is accepting applications from age 2 to Grade 12.