Since 1997, Ms. Nguyễn Thị Út Em has been studying and considering an international school model for Vietnamese students. In 2001, Ms. Em established a college/university institute in Ho Chi Minh City which offered American based international programs and operated as a ‘not-for-profit’ institute. In 2003, it was the first higher education institute in Vietnam to achieve accreditation by the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges (SACS).
At the time, Ms. Em recognized the limitations of K-12 schools in Vietnam in providing teaching and learning programs that adequately prepare students for international standard universities.
In 2006, Ms. Em’s daughter was of elementary-school age and Ms. Em was determined to build a quality international school that catered primarily to Vietnamese children, including her own children. Ms. Em worked tirelessly to establish the American International School Vietnam (AISVN) in August 2006. Her vision was for a K-12 international school with no ‘cap’ on Vietnamese nationals enrolled, that would operate as ‘not-for-profit’ with a commitment to provide the highest international quality education which prepares students for the future and leads to many opportunities for an overseas university experience. Furthermore, she outlined her intention for students to maintain their Vietnamese literacy and sense of cultural identity whilst being well prepared for the 21st Century.
AISVN’s 6.5 hectare purpose built campus in Nha Be, Ho Chi Minh City, is a beautiful, modern facility that is designed to support the IB programmes and serve a variety of student activities. AISVN has grown to almost 1,300 students, within which 90% of the students possess a Vietnamese passport and overall there are 21 different nationalities represented in the student body. AISVN welcomes student applicants from all nationalities, offers full Early Years-Grade 12 IB programmes and has a very strong English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme in place to support its students.
AISVN plans to expand its campus by an additional 7 hectares in order to best support learning and teaching for all students; as well as to establish a scholarship programme, funding and financial aid support to accommodate students from different socio-economic backgrounds.
AISVN graduates study at the finest colleges and universities in the world and it all began with one ‘petite’ woman’s great vision for outstanding education in Vietnam.
