Vietnam Year Groups vs UK and US Grades: Complete Age Conversion Chart 2026

International schools in Vietnam place children by age, using the curriculum of the school rather than the Vietnamese national system. British curriculum schools are the most common, using UK year group names Reception through Year 13, with the 31 August cut-off. American curriculum schools use Kindergarten through Grade 12. This guide gives you the exact age-to-year-group mapping used by international schools in Vietnam in 2026.

What year group is my child in at an international school in Vietnam?

British international schools in Vietnam place students according to their age on 31 August. Match your child's age on 31 August to find their year group.

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How international schools in Vietnam assign year groups

The 31 August cut-off is standard at British curriculum schools. A child arriving from a UK school enters the same year group in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi without any adjustment.

Most international schools run August to June in three terms. The main intake is August, with some schools accepting January entries. Note that Vietnam has many bilingual schools combining the Vietnamese Ministry of Education curriculum with British or American pathways. These are distinct from fully international schools and have their own structures. This guide covers fully international schools following the British or American curriculum.

What age does my child start each school stage at an international school in Vietnam?

Early Years (EYFS): Nursery at age 3, Reception at age 4. English is the primary language of instruction from this stage.

Primary: Year 1 at age 5. Key Stage 2 runs Years 3 to 6, ages 7 to 11, often enhanced with Vietnamese language and cultural content.

Secondary: Year 7 at age 11. British secondary in Vietnam covers KS3 (ages 11 to 14) and KS4 (ages 14 to 16) leading to Cambridge IGCSE.

IGCSE and Sixth Form: Year 10 at age 14 begins Cambridge IGCSE. Year 12 at age 16 begins A-Levels or the IB Diploma.

What year group is a 10 year old in at an international school in Vietnam?

A child who is 10 on 31 August enters Year 6 at a British curriculum school, or Grade 5 at an American curriculum school. Year 6 is the final year of primary and Key Stage 2.

What is Reception class equivalent to in Vietnam?

Reception is for children aged 4 turning 5. Vietnam's national system begins Grade 1 at age 6. A child entering Reception at a British international school is one year ahead of a child starting the national system.

Understanding the Vietnamese national system: a quick reference for international families

Vietnam's national system uses Grade 1 to 5 for primary (ages 6 to 11), Grade 6 to 9 for lower secondary, and Grade 10 to 12 for upper secondary. The national academic year runs September to May.

Schools shown for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.

The Vietnamese national system starts at Grade 1 at age 6, one year later than British international schools. Students switching at primary level adjust more easily; switching at secondary requires preparation given the shift to English-medium instruction and a different assessment style.

For curriculum decisions, our IB vs British curriculum comparison covers the practical differences. For a broader look at schooling costs, see our affordable international schools guide.

International schools in Vietnam: British, American and IB curricula

Schools shown for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.

Frequently asked questions

What year group is a 7 year old in at an international school in Vietnam? A child who is 7 on 31 August enters Year 3 at a British curriculum school, or Grade 2 at an American curriculum school. This is the start of Key Stage 2.

Do international schools in Vietnam use the Vietnamese Grade system? No. British international schools use Reception through Year 13. American schools use Kindergarten through Grade 12. The Vietnamese Grade 1 to 12 naming is used in the national system and in bilingual schools following the national curriculum.

My child is in Grade 5 in Vietnam. What year group will they enter at an international school? Grade 5 is typically age 10 to 11, placing them in Year 6 or Year 7 at a British international school. Age on 31 August determines placement. The school will assess English language readiness before confirming the year group.

What is the difference between IGCSE and the Vietnamese Grade 9 lower secondary diploma? IGCSE runs in Years 10 and 11 at ages 14 to 16, assessed by Cambridge. In Vietnam's national system, students receive the Lower Secondary Education Graduation Diploma at Grade 9, age 14 to 15. IGCSE is recognised by universities worldwide; the Vietnamese diploma is for progression within the national system.

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This guide was written by Aziza F, part of the doris editorial team. doris sources school data from institutions worldwide and speaks directly with parents navigating the school search process. Fee data reflects published and publicly available information for the 2026 to 2027 academic year and is reviewed annually. External sources: Vietnam Ministry of Education and Training, British Vietnamese International School Hanoi, year group guide. Schools are listed for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.