American International School, Saigon
| American International School, Saigon | |
|---|---|
| Information | |
| Established | 2006 |
| Closed | January 12, 2026 |
| Grades | K-12 |
| Language | English |
The American International School Vietnam (AISVN), formerly American International School (AIS)[1] in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam, was formed in 2006 with the purpose of providing an American education for Vietnamese students.[1] As of 2009, it enrolled roughly 900 students in grades K-12 of which 90% are Vietnamese.[1]
Curriculum
American International School Vietnam used English as the medium of instruction. It offered the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program.[1]
Ownership and finances
Intellectual Resources Management Co., which owns the school, is also the owner of the Saigon Institute of Technology (SaigonTech).[1] AISVN operates in Nhà Bè District, Ho Chi Minh City. The current campus was opened in August 2014 with previous campuses in Bình Thạnh District, District 1 and District 10.[2]
In the 2023/24 academic year, AISVN encountered financial issues which resulted in the non-payment or late payment of salaries to teachers and administration staff over a number of months. As a result, the school chose to end the academic year early in March 2024, with students studying for the IB Diploma permitted to sit their examinations.[3]
Consequently, AISVN was suspended from operations by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training from July 1st, 2024.[4] In addition, local tax authorities recommended in August 2024 that its licence be revoked.[5]
In November 2024, the school announced that it intended to reopen in January 2025,[6] but as of February 2025, the school website remains a holding page.[7]
On January 12, 2026, the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City officially announced the decision to dissolve the American International School (encompassing Primary, Middle, and High School levels), commonly referred to as AISVN.[8] This event occurred more than six months after the school's owner was arrested and prosecuted for violations regarding large-scale capital mobilization—amounting to trillions of VND—from parents.[9]
According to the decision by the state management agency, the AIS American International Education Joint Stock Company (the investor) and the school administration are responsible for executing liquidation procedures and resolving legal consequences related to personnel, finance, assets, and land.[10][11]
Specifically, the entity is obligated to fully settle outstanding debts, including tax liabilities and overdue payments for social and health insurance. Concurrently, the school must ensure the rights of employees by paying salaries and contractual allowances, as well as refunding tuition and unused fees to students in accordance with current laws.[12]
Accreditation
The school was licensed by the IBO to teach the PYP, MYP and IBDP programs. The school was also accredited by both CIS and WASC. The licenses and accreditations were withdrawn in early 2024.
References
- ^ a b c d e "Vietnamese-American educator returns home to teach", Vietnamnet Bridge, 2008-03-02, archived from the original on 2009-02-10, retrieved 2010-04-12
- ^ "Work to start on US$90 mil int'l school", Vietnamnet Bridge, 2009-07-08, archived from the original on 2009-07-19, retrieved 2010-04-12
- ^ "American International School ends academic year prematurely due to budget shortfall", VinExpress, 2024-04-13, retrieved 2025-02-14
- ^ "Ho Chi Minh City suspends international school for one year", Tuoi Tre News, 2024-07-02, retrieved 2025-02-14
- ^ "In Ho Chi Minh City, American International School risks having establishment license revoked", Tuoi Tre News, 2024-08-24, retrieved 2025-02-14
- ^ "In Ho Chi Minh City, int'l school announces reopening despite ongoing suspension, no approval", Tuoi Tre News, 2024-11-02, retrieved 2025-02-14
- ^ "'Hố sâu hút tiền' của đơn vị chủ quản Trường quốc tế Mỹ AISVN: Nợ kinh doanh, nợ trái phiếu quá hạn, nợ BHXH của nhân viên". Entrade X by DNSE (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2026-01-14.
- ^ VCCorp.vn (2026-01-13). "Nhìn lại những lùm xùm của trường Quốc tế Mỹ AISVN trước khi bị giải thể". afamily.vn (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2026-01-14.
- ^ thanhnien.vn (2026-01-12). "Chính thức giải thể Trường Quốc tế Mỹ AISVN". Báo Thanh Niên (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2026-01-14.
- ^ "Chủ sở hữu trường Quốc tế Mỹ AISVN làm ăn ra sao?". Znews.vn (in Vietnamese). 2024-03-19. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
- ^ "Vì sao Trường Quốc tế Mỹ AISVN chính thức bị giải thể?". danviet.vn. 2026-01-12. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
- ^ "Hơn 1.400 học sinh Trường Quốc tế Mỹ tiếp tục cầu cứu". VOV2.VN (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2026-01-14.