The Expat Parent's Guide to Da Nang & Hoi An — Part 4: Choosing the Right School for Your Child

We've covered where to live, how to navigate daily life, and how to build your community in Da Nang and Hoi An. In this final part, we get to what matters most for expat families with children: choosing the right school.

This is often the decision that anchors everything else — where you live, your daily routine, your social circle. It's worth getting right.

What to Look for in a School

When we talk to families who are new to the region — or who are weighing up their options — a few priorities come up consistently:

Curriculum portability. Expat families move. Whatever school you choose, the curriculum needs to travel with your child — to their next school, their next country, and eventually their university. A qualification that's recognised in 160 countries matters enormously to a family that doesn't know where they'll be in five years.

Class sizes and genuine pastoral care. In a city new to you, with a child navigating a new school, new friendships, and possibly a new language — you need to know your child is being seen and supported as an individual, not lost in a crowd.

Community. As we covered in Part 3, the school community often becomes the backbone of a family's social life in a new city. The size, warmth, and international make-up of the parent body matters just as much as what's happening inside the classroom.

Language of instruction. For most international families, English as the primary language of instruction is non-negotiable. Bilingual programmes and additional language options are a meaningful bonus.

Understanding Your Options in Da Nang & Hoi An

The international school landscape in the Da Nang–Hoi An region has grown in recent years, but options remain relatively limited compared to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Schools broadly follow one of two frameworks: Cambridge or IB.

Cambridge schools offer rigorous, subject-focused learning assessed through formal exams — well-suited to students planning to study in the UK, Australia, or Singapore. IB schools take a broader, inquiry-based approach, developing critical thinking and internationally-minded learners recognised by universities across the globe.

For a fuller breakdown of the two, read our earlier blog: IB vs Cambridge: Which International School Track Is Right for Your Child?

Why Families Choose Odyssey

Odyssey International School is currently the only IB candidate school in Da Nang and Hoi An, offering the full IB framework from Early Years (age 3) through to Secondary School.

Here's what families tell us matters most once they've joined:

Small class sizes. Every child is known by name — by their teacher, by the leadership team, by the wider school community. In a big transition, that makes an enormous difference.

Qualified international teachers. Our teaching team brings experience from schools across the world, and a genuine commitment to personalised, inquiry-led learning.

A truly international community. Odyssey families come from across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and beyond — alongside Vietnamese families who value an international education. The community is diverse, welcoming, and easy to find your place in.

Practical support for new families. We know that arriving in a new city with children is a lot to manage. Our admissions team is happy to answer questions before you even land in Vietnam, and we welcome mid-year applications throughout the year.

Bus service across Da Nang and Hoi An. Whatever side of the corridor you're based on, the daily school run is taken care of.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you're considering Odyssey for your child — whether you're arriving in Vietnam next month or just starting to research — the best thing you can do is come and see it for yourself. We run regular open days and school tours, and our admissions team is always happy to talk through your family's specific situation.

📧 admissions@odyssey.edu .vn📞 0938 688 600📍 Sentosa City, Da Nang🌐 odyssey.edu.vn

Book a School Tour → | Apply Now →

This is Part 4 of The Expat Parent's Guide to Da Nang & Hoi An.

Read the full series: