On Hội Xuân, the Harbinger of Tết for High School Students
When I was a high school student, Lunar New Year brought with it a lot of excitement. Not only did we get a week-long break, we also got plenty of fun school activities leading up to the holidays. For...
From Sticky Rice and Sugar, Bánh Tổ Binds Me With Tết and My Hoa Vietnamese Roots
This Tết, you’re invited to my grandma’s house for a true-blue Tết meal of Hoa Vietnamese, comprising char siu, khâu nhục (braised pork belly), cured duck meat, etc. Then, you can think of the best we...
Fun, Happiness, and Parental Involvement are Essential to ISSP’s Approach to Holistic Development
“When I first entered ISSP, the staff and the teachers were very warm and engaged. They're very responsive to my child's needs. After the model class, she was just very happy!” exclaims Nina, the moth...
Exploring the Power of an International Community at International School Ho Chi Minh City
Success at the International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) can be measured according to many metrics. From IB DP test scores well above the world average to impressive academic careers post-graduat...
Ben Armstrong Joins Jo Roberts as Co-Heads of School at European International School
"Having Co-Heads of School provides several opportunities for EIS. Firstly, we can harness the power of collaborative leadership by leveraging our different strengths, experiences, and perspectives to...
Hẻm Gems: In D5, a Family Durian Xôi Xiêm Recipe Inspired by Cambodia
At first glance, xôi xiêm sầu riêng — or sticky rice with egg custard and durian — may appear plain-looking, but apart from being a tasty sweet treat, this simple dish also holds stories of life durin...
Starting from Day One: How NLCS Primary Students Prepare for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) readies students aged 16 to 19 for the world’s top universities and a fulfilling, successful future.
The Importance of Service Learning in a Holistic Education at AIS
“We want our students to grow up be really good leaders with a moral compass and purpose for the future. Service learning is a great way of helping them to develop these key attitudes and skills,” exp...
Britain’s Prestigious North London Collegiate School Arrives in Vietnam
A World-class IB Family of schools with 175 years of exceptional education in the UK, Korea, Dubai, Singapore, and Vietnam invites families to join.
Harnessing Technology to Unlock Educational Potential at Australian International School
While curriculums have evolved and learning philosophies have progressed, the biggest changes in education in recent decades involve technology.
Global Citizenship at the Forefront of Education at European International School
“Global citizenship is a way of living sustainably that demonstrates respect for the environment and for others,” says Jo Roberts, Acting Head of School at European International School (EIS).
From Digital Societies and Theatre to Environmental Systems, Sport and Computer Science: BIS HCMC’s Wide Range of IBDP Subjects Prepares Students for Exciting Futures
When you picture secondary school students absorbed in their coursework, you are unlikely to envision them learning about Digital Societies, Computer Science, Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS)...
How Choosing My Own Áo Dài Tết Healed My Trauma Over Áo Dài Uniform
High school can be a frustrating time in virtually every culture, as seen from the myriad of coming-of-age movies depicting the range of clichés, stereotypes and expressions of teenage angst we all go...
Unlocking Potential from a Young Age: The Advantages of Enrolling Children in International Education at BIS HCMC
The path to becoming a lifelong learner begins early.
The Winter Bazaar at International School Saigon Pearl Showcases the Power of the IB PYP
Kitten Survivor, Snowy Kingdom, Toilet Tower Defense and Snacks But Weird were just a few of the large games placed on the floor beside their designers: Year Three students at International School Sai...
The Power of First Impressions at Australian International School Saigon
What is an Open Day? An opportunity for prospective families to view a school’s facilities, meet members of the teaching and leadership teams, and learn about curriculums, admissions and career paths?...
Why the European International School Community Is Best Experienced in Person
“I think we do fun very well here,” explains Jo Roberts, the Deputy Head of School at European International School (EIS) in Saigon.
AISA Games Come to Saigon
Australian International School, Saigon (AIS Saigon) is set to host students from Australian International Schools across Asia this November, for the highly anticipated AISA Games 2023.
Australian International School Welcomes New Executive Principal
“The world is interconnected, companies work across countries and continents. Education today, therefore, has to prepare students to be global citizens: team players and team leaders, quietly confiden...
Vietnam Reports First-Ever Test-Taker Attaining 9.0 for All 4 IELTS Skills
As more institutions and enterprises in Vietnam adopt IELTS results as an official assessment of students' and employees’ grasp of the English language, high IELTS scores have gradually become a sough...
Khôi Phạm in Natural Selection
The Rise and Fall of Phượng Vĩ, the Summer Icon of Our Teenage Dreams
I was a teenage cliché. No matter how much I try to rack my brain to find any other personal connection to the incandescently red tree that is phượng vĩ, I keep going back to my middle school crush an...
Empowered Secondary Students Personalize Their Curriculum Pathway at the British International School
The amount of international schools available in Ho Chi Minh City seems to be outnumbered only by the many acronyms prospective families must memorize to make sense of the differences in curriculum an...
Paul Christiansen in In Plain Sight
An Ode to Saigon’s Chò Nâu Trees
It’s too cold for chò nâu to grow where I’m from, but we still gave it an English name: dipterocarp.
Family-Oriented Community Education on Display at European International School's Open Day
European International School (EIS) refers to its campus as an educational village and it quite literally consists of family homes. Ms. Jo Roberts, the Deputy Head of School, explains to Saigoneer: “T...
A Brief History of District 1's Collège d’Adran, Saigon's Oldest School
Driving past the Saigon Zoological and Botanical Garden toward Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh Street, many of us might not notice the presence of Võ Trường Toản Secondary School and Trưng Vương High School. The two ...
Australian Spirit on Display at AIS Open Day
“The best way to see the Australian Spirit is to just witness it as you walk around the school, it shows the kindness and compassion of our students and teachers and our willingness to help each other...
Khôi Phạm in Culture
What to See, Taste, and Do If You Have 3 Hours to Kill in Chợ Lớn
One of my favorite parts about being in a new city is dropping by any random neighborhood and just walking around until my feet get sore. Walking affords me the leisurely pace and multi-dimensional fr...
The Story of Quách Đàm, the Man Who Shaped Modern Chợ Lớn — Part 2
By the 1920s, the old Bình Tây Market and much of the surrounding land had belonged to Quách Đàm, so he proposed to the colonial authorities the demolition of the existing building and the constructio...
Hẻm Gems: Tiệm Cơm Ninh Giang, a 'Secret' Hakka Feast Only for Those in the Know
I first heard about Tiệm Cơm Ninh Giang 寧江客家飯店 from some Hoa friends in the city.
The Story of Quách Đàm, the Man Who Shaped Modern Chợ Lớn — Part 1
Hải Thượng Lãn Ông Boulevard (the former quai Gaudot) in central Chợ Lớn preserves several elegant old colonial shophouse buildings, but perhaps the most interesting of all is the one at No. 45, once ...
A Day in the Life of Phùng Hưng, a D5 Street With Two Personalities
Nestled in the historic Chợ Lớn section of District 5, Phùng Hưng Street runs from the canal along Võ Văn Kiệt through to Hồng Bàng. Within its length, the street has two distinct personalities.
Khôi Phạm in Saigon Hẻm Gems
Hẻm Gems: From a Historic D5 Shophouse, An Duyên Serves up Tasty Chợ Lớn Classics
An Duyên Chợ Lớn transcends Chợ Lớn quán stereotypes of rustic mom-and-pops with rickety amenities to provide a comfortable dining experience, made memorable thanks to aesthetically pleasing décor and...
Scholarships Provide Unparalleled Opportunities at European International School
Lively student performances, games, activities, a bazaar, and snacks all combined to bring the community even closer together earlier this month at European International School’s (EIS) Thao Dien camp...
How a Simple Dream for a Daughter’s Education Flourishes 25 Years Later at BIS HCMC
Saying Saigon has changed a great deal in the last 25 years is quite an understatement and the rapid development the city has experienced is not only evident by sprouting skyscrapers and large infrast...
Envisioning a Student’s Potential at Australian International School’s Open Day
An Open Day involves far more than simply letting people onto the school grounds to look around. Teachers, students, senior leadership and support staff all work together to welcome families of prospe...
What Creating a Sign Language App Taught Me About the Hardships of Vietnam's Deaf Community
In neighborhood communities, deaf children are often bullied by their hearing friends, according to my classmate Nguyễn Tài Minh.
Saigon Students Win Science Contest Silver Medals for Bodhi Tree Leaf Teabags
Sustainable teabags made from bodhi tree (Ficus religiosa) leaves earned Ngô Trần Thảo My and Nguyễn Thiên Ngân silver medals at an international event that fosters global awareness of environmental i...
In Sơn La, Nà Khoang School Serves Both Students and the Local Thái Community
It's a flower's imperfections that make it beautiful.
The Power of Performing Arts at British International School Hanoi
What is the value of taking dance classes for students who will not pursue dance as a career?
At Saigon's Oldest Ornamental Fish Market, Fish Are Friends, Not Food
It is a street, not a river, that comes to mind when people talk about vibrant fish in Saigon. Located in District 5, Lưu Xuân Tín Street is only approximately 500 meters long, but it is home to ...
Saigon Zoo Starts Making Chemical-Free Paper From Elephant Poo
One kilogram of elephant dung yields about 20 sheets of paper for use in Saigon schools.
Achieving Social-Emotional Development at International School Saigon Pearl
Why do children go to school? Cultivating knowledge and skills necessary for an independent, working life is important, but that is only part of the story. The social-emotional learning that takes pla...
Khôi Phạm in Saigon Hẻm Gems
Hẻm Gems: 60 Years of Guangdong-Style Chinese Food at Chợ Cũ's Chuyên Ký
Besides being the “it” place to obtain imported goods, Saigon’s chợ cũ, or Old Market, is also a treasure trove of hidden eateries.
Vietnamese Students Win Earth Prize for Dragon Fruit Peel Biodegradable Sanitary Pads
A trio of Vietnamese high schoolers claimed the top prize in the environmental awareness competition The Earth Prize 2022 thanks to their project which turned dragon fruit peels into biodegradabl...
What Primary Education Emphasizes at British International School Hanoi
Grades, examinations and preparations for university acceptances are all necessary aspects of a student’s education, but they only constitute a small fraction of what schools focus on.
'My Father’s Bàng Tree': A Poem by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai
This poem is featured in Volume 1 of In My Ear, Your Voice Still Flickering // Bên tai tôi, giọng người vẫn chờn vờn, a three-part, bilingual collection of works by more than 20 Vietnamese artists and...
How Schools Emphasize Whole Child Development
“Whole child development is so important because a child is absorbing the world around them, learning the complexities around them, and that world can be different depending on how we engage the child...
Đàm Lê Đức, Educator Extraordinaire and Matriarch of 218 Lý Tự Trọng, Passes Away at 91
If there’s such a thing as a celebrity teacher, Madame Đàm Lê Đức would be a shining example of Saigon’s educator extraordinaire.
Facing Another Removal Plan, Will Chợ Cũ Tôn Thất Đạm Survive 2022?
After years of existing on paper, Saigon authorities’ plan to remove chợ cũ might become a reality this year.
Saijo, Huế's Sister City in Japan, Adds Bún Bò to School Lunch Program
Another step toward bún bò domination has been taken.
[Photos] T3 Architects Turned a Modernist Villa Into a Celebration of Chocolate
Looks like we'll be working remote today.
Saigon Designates 6 Areas With Architectural Heritage to Be Conserved
Is six enough?
Australian International School’s Scholarships Put Students on the Path to Success
Financial difficulties stand in the way of too many people reaching their full potential. Being unable to afford tuition or being distracted by the need to earn extra money can severely hinder one’s a...
How Anne Hill Promotes a Growth Mindset Amongst Students
“We want them to come to school and be happy!” Anne Hill says of the students who attend her namesake primary school.
Families Invited to “Come Home” to European International School Ho Chi Minh City
By providing safe and nurturing environments for students to learn, grow and develop, the best schools function as a home-away-from-home. When children feel comfortable in their surroundings, supporte...
International Schools’ Increased Focus on Students’ Mental Health
If a student is not safe and mentally and emotionally healthy, they will be unable to reach their academic and social potential.
Australian International School Opens its Doors
How do parents choose a school for their child? Considering their impact on an individual’s academic, social and emotional development and the role they play in a person’s life trajectory, finding the...
A Local High School Student Gives His Own Textbooks a Sleek Makeover
"I embarked on the project with the desire to help students like me have a more positive and interesting view of textbooks in particular and learning in general, making subjects no longer an abstract ...
How Foreign Families Continued to Thrive During Lockdown at British Vietnamese International School (BVIS)
“The more diverse you are, the richer your life becomes,” explains Sun-hwa Kwon, whose daughter, So-yul, is in her fifth year at Hanoi’s British Vietnamese International School.
Over 70% of Parents of Grade 1 Students Don't Support In-Person Classes
In-person learning for Saigon's Grade 1 students is set to resume on December 13 for two weeks as a trial program, but more than 70% of parents don't want their children to return to the classroom.
An Early View of a Barely Developed Saigon in the 1860s
Dropping a modern Saigoneer into the 1860s version of the city would be a wildly disorienting experience.
How International School Saigon Pearl Ensures Student Safety
When sending their children to school, parents must be confident that they are physically, emotionally and mentally safe.
How Students at The British International School HCMC are Preparing to Transition Back to In-School Learning
In recent weeks, Saigon has experienced a return to relative normality in many regards, and schools may soon resume in-person classes.
Saigon Begins Vaccinating Students to Prepare for School Reopening
The city aims to administer Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines to approximately 780,000 children aged 12 to 17.
Michael Tatarski in Natural Selection
Chó: The Four National Breeds of Vietnamese Doggos
It’s an inarguable fact that dogs are the purest of animals.
Over 1,500 Schoolchildren Become Orphans Due to Saigon's Covid-19 Outbreak
The current COVID-19 crisis has crippled Saigon’s economy and disrupted the daily life of millions of people, but most tragically, it has also taken thousands of lives.
Vietnam Launches Campaign to Donate 1m Computers to Students for Remote Learning
The free computers, set to be distributed by the end of this December, are part of a larger effort to help the nation's K-12 students during remote learning.
[Photos] Renovation Project Brings Comfy Classrooms to Remote Son La School
It's hard to nourish the mind when the body is suffering.
Saigon Faces Online Study Woes as Thousands of Students Still Without Internet, Smart Devices
What started as a temporary solution last year became an official measure in the COVID-19 education playbook in Vietnam this year.
Education Department Proposes Vaccinating Students to Reopen Schools
Today, thousands of students across Saigon officially began a new school year at home.
Triệu Thị Chơi, Cookbook Author Extraordinaire, Passes Away Due to Covid-19
Growing up in the 1990s, many Saigoneers must have gotten used to the sight of Triệu Thị Chơi’s name embossed in the author position of many cookbooks.
Tips for Parents Preparing for the First Day of School
Sending children to school for the first time, or to a new school, can be challenging for parents.
2 Vietnamese Projects Win Jury Prize at Architecture Awards by Architizer
A number of architecture projects in Vietnam have made the list of finalists or even won prizes at the A+Awards organized by Architizer.
How the British International School HCMC Instills a Sense of Direction for Students Applying to University and Beyond
“Instead of thinking of a destination to this journey, think about the direction.”
Preparing Graduates for University Success at European International School
Being accepted into a top university is just the first step on a student's journey to higher education where soft skills and study habits are keys to long-term academic success.
The Aesthetic Yet Functional Role of Shade in the Genome of Vietnam's Modernist Architecture
Since the mid-twentieth century, Vietnamese architecture has started to be made from industrial materials such as concrete, steel, glass, et.. This resulted in Vietnamese modernism, a branch of global...
