New finance–education model promotes Ardingly College–style international boarding education in Vietnam

Ardingly College's international boarding facilities in Lao Cai, Vietnam. Photo: Ardingly College Vietnam. Against a backdrop of rising international education costs driven by exchange rates, inflation and operating pressures, the long-term financial planning for children has become a top concern for many Vietnamese families. In this context, Ardingly College Vietnam, in collaboration with Vietnam Prosperity Joint Stock Commercial Bank (VPBank), introduced a Finance–Education package named 'World Ready' on April 9. The model enables parents to secure all tuition and related costs for the student’s entire study through an upfront deposit. Specifically, parents join the program by saving with a term and schedule aligned with their child's study plan. The interest earned from the deposit will be used by the bank to pay the school tuition periodically. Meanwhile, the principal remains preserved and will be repaid after the student completes the program, along with any accumulated interest (if any). NEED FOR A HEALTHY INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION ENVIRONMENT IN THE AGE OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY This approach locks in education costs from the outset, reduces the risk of tuition inflation over time, and enables parents to plan long-term finances more proactively. Ms. Nguyen Thị Kiều Oanh, chairwoman of Khoi Nguyên (KNI) Investment Group – the developer of Ardingly College Vietnam, said the model aims to ensure financial stability for parents throughout their children's education. According to her, 'locking' costs from the outset while preserving and earning a return on the cash flow helps parents sleep easier about long-term plans, especially as international education costs continue to rise. From an educational perspective, bringing the English-standard boarding model to Vietnam also reflects a trend of diversification in an education market still lacking proper boarding facilities. According to Ms. Oanh, although relatively new in Vietnam, boarding houses are common in the UK, where parents are not only concerned about academics but also the overall development environment for students. “Khi làm việc với Ardingly College tại Anh, chúng tôi nhận thấy các chương trình nội trú được thiết kế nhằm khuyến khích học sinh tham gia hoạt động trực tiếp, giảm sự phụ thuộc vào thiết bị công nghệ và hạn chế các tác động tiêu cực từ môi trường số,” bà Oanh chia sẻ. “In a world where children are increasingly exposed to technology, the demand for a balanced, healthy educational environment that preserves a proper childhood is becoming more urgent,” she added. DIVERSIFYING SOURCES OF FUNDING FOR DIFFERENT PARENT GROUPS In reality, the finance–education model is not entirely new in Vietnam. As early as 2019, when the Canada International School (CIS) was established in Ho Chi Minh City, KNI piloted a financial package with 100 founding parents. Each parent contributed a credit of US$50,000, thereby ensuring tuition throughout the student’s study and to be repaid after completion. Notably, this model emerged amid a credit-challenged market in Vietnam, underscoring the role of flexible financial solutions in sustaining educational operations. Previously, most international schools in Vietnam required parents to contribute a fund equivalent to one year’s tuition to secure a seat for their child. Compared with earlier models, the 'World Ready' package is seen as a new step forward thanks to the involvement of financial institutions, increasing transparency and optimizing cash flow for investment. In particular, the model suits families with multiple children studying international programs, as financial pressure can be allocated more rationally over time. According to Ms. Oanh, one notable aspect is the commitment to keeping tuition stable throughout the study period for a defined initial cohort. This helps parents mitigate risk amid market fluctuations and global education costs. Not only for domestic parents, this model also opens access to international education for the children of foreign professionals working in Vietnam. Depending on policy, foreign direct investment (FDI) companies can open savings accounts with the partner bank and use these funds to pay tuition instead of annual payments. In a market that is increasingly competitive and volatile, these innovative models not only broaden options for parents but also raise expectations for providers—from education to finance—in building trust and sustainable value. Keywords: Ardingly College Vietnam; international education costs; World Ready finance package; KNI; English-style boarding model; VPBank; admissions 2026-2027