Hanoi, Vietnam Report of what it's like to live there - 05/15/25
Personal Experiences from Hanoi, Vietnam
School Name:
Dwight School Hanoi
Background Information:
1. Are you the parent of a child(ren) attending this school? A teacher at the school? Or both?
I am a parent of two children attending Dwight School Hanoi.
2. What grade or grades do/did your children attend at the school? During what year(s) did they attend the school?
2024/25 in Preschool and Grade 2.
3. What years did you live here?
Still living in Hanoi
4. Are other schools available to expatriates in this city? Why did you choose this particular school?
There are many other schools available to expats in Hanoi but we belonged to Dwight School London where we had an amazing experience with teachers and the community so we had no doubts in choosing Dwight School Hanoi.
Admissions & Welcome:
1. Are the admissions and placement procedures clearly stated to prospective families, either on the school website or through other means of communication?
Yes all requirements were clearly outlined both on the online Admissions portals. The Admissions Teams were also on hand to support with questions/queries.
2. How would you rate the school's support and welcome/integration of new students and their families, and why?
The school hosted an Orientation a few days before school started to integrate all children and parents into the community. I have two children across two different campuses, which were hosted on different days so it was very practical for parents to divide their time and focus.
Administration & School Procedures:
1. How is the overall communication between teachers and parents, and the administration and parents? How is communication facilitated?
We feel very informed about our children's day to day classroom and school activities, through overall communication. We receive daily updates on Toddle, weekly class and whole school newsletters. Even school nurse visits are promptly communicated.
2. Aside from school fees, are there required expenses such as uniforms, laptops/tablets, musical instruments, or field trips that parents are expected to cover? What are the approximate costs?
As usual, school uniforms are to be paid for. My child in Grade 2 is provided with her own iPad which she keeps at school for all digital learning activities. As expected, for all extra curricular musical activities families will need to purchase their own instruments.
Academics & Resources:
1. What personal or academic counseling resources are available at this school? Is there a dedicated college counselor at the school? Is he/she familiar with universities worldwide?
We have a pastoral counsellor available to all children to oversee their emotional and social well being. Although my children aren’t old enough, I am aware that the school offers many college counseling workshops, hosting worldwide universities and more tailored 1 on 1 guidance. The school has also recently accompanied students to university fairs and is very well informed and connected with universities.
2. Is there before and/or after-school daycare available? What are the costs?
The school offers one hour of after school activities at the end of every school day (until 4.30pm) at no extra cost, ranging from sports, robotics, lego, swimming, baking etc
3. Does the school have a library? How large is it? How updated are the books? Can students borrow books to read at home?
The school has 3 libraries across the two campuses, with a range of audio, digital and physical books in Vietnamese, English, Korean and other languages which both parents and students can borrow to take home.
4. What are the technology requirements for students? Do they need their own laptops/ipads? How is technology integrated into the classroom and homework?
Our child in grade 2 has her own class iPad for digital online learning and is already a confident user of Canva. She has log-in details for online math and literacy exercises to do at home. She has weekly spelling tests which we practice at home the traditional way.
5. How are information technology resources at the school. Are they up-to-date? Is there a computer lab?
Technology resources are top notch, as mentioned our daughter in grade 2 has her own class iPad. All classrooms have digital interactive screens. I am also aware that they have innovation labs equipped with the latest quality 3D printers and laser cutters etc.
6. Describe the physical education resources at the school. Is there a gym? A swimming pool? Are there playing fields or tennis courts available?
PE resources are state of the art. There is a fully equipped gym, a 25m - 6 lane indoor swimming pool with timing pads and an adjustable floor to accommodate children of all ages. There is a dance studio, 2 multi purpose sport courts with digital scoreboards. An outdoor play area with climbing equipment, a soccer field and multi purpose basketball courts.
7. What is the approximate teacher-to-student ratio in the grades that your child attended?
The average teacher to student ratio is approximately 15 to 1, with a teaching assistance in all lower school classes
