Schools on Phu Quoc Island.

Phu Quoc is now considered one of the best places to live in Vietnam. White beaches, coconut palms, the sea, and a mild climate make it the perfect place for those who work online or are looking for a winter retreat in a warm country.

Families with children come here: some for a couple of months, some for a year or longer. Parents work remotely, children have to study. But here's the main question: where can foreign children study in Phu Quoc?

What schools are there in Fukuoka now (September 2025)

There are several schools in the island's main town, Dương Đông:

• Dương Đông 1–4 primary schools;

• Dương Đông 1 and 2 secondary schools;

• THPT Dương Đông and THPT Phú Quốc high schools;

• The Nguyễn Trung Trực complex.
  

All of these schools are public, and instruction is conducted exclusively in Vietnamese. This is normal for local children, but it is practically impossible for foreign families with school-age children to enroll their children in these schools.

Vinschool in Grand World: A Step Forward, But Not a Solution

In 2024, the modern Vinschool Grand World Phú Quốc campus opened in the Grand World complex.

At first glance, this seems like great news: a modern building, international teaching methods, and a focus on English.

But there is a catch. To enroll in Vinschool, children must pass exams in Vietnamese. This is normal for locals, but for foreign children, it is a barrier that cannot be overcome “on the fly.”

Therefore, for winter visitors and expat families, this school is not a realistic alternative.

Online learning or moving to other cities

Today, many families are solving the problem by:

• transferring their children to online schools, leaving them home on their laptops, without classmates or social interaction;

• or choosing other cities in Vietnam, such as Nha Trang or Da Nang, where there are international schools offering English-language instruction.

This is a great loss for Phu Quoc. While it's ideal for family life and wintering, the lack of an English-language school is a turnoff for families.

Wintering on Phu Quoc with school-age children: why it's still difficult

Phu Quoc could be the perfect place for families to spend the winter:

• parents work online in peace under palm trees,

• children study at school in English,

• and as a bonus, they learn Vietnamese.

But there are no such schools yet, and many foreign families therefore do not even consider the island for long-term residence.

Why does Phu Quoc need an English-language school?

• English is a neutral foundation for children from different countries.

• An English-language school with the addition of Vietnamese lessons will allow children to study while simultaneously integrating into the local culture.

• Parents will be better prepared to move or spend the winter if education is already secured.
  

This is also beneficial for the island:

• Families stay longer,

• Services and infrastructure are developing,

• Phu Quoc is becoming a competitor to Nha Trang and Da Nang as a hub for living, not just short-term vacations.

What are the possible solutions?

- Open a separate English-language international school in Phu Quoc.
- Launch English-language classes at existing schools with an international curriculum.
- Create a partnership project with an existing school (for example, Vinschool), but without the mandatory Vietnamese language exam.

Phu Quoc has already become a magnet for tourists, businessmen, and expats. But foreign families with children currently face a serious obstacle: the lack of an English-language school.

If a school with an international curriculum and English-language instruction were to open on the island, Phu Quoc would become a prime choice for families wintering in Vietnam and digital nomads with school-age children.

Parents would be assured of their education, children would be assured of their socialization, and the island itself would gain new opportunities for development.

It's time for Phu Quoc to take this step.

Bottom line: It's time to take the next step.