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Our History

We are founded on over 150 years of educational experience

Concordia is part of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) in the United States. The LCMS has been actively developing schools in the United States since the 1860’s and throughout Asia for the past 40 years. After founding successful schools in Hong Kong and Shanghai, Concordia saw an opportunity to bring elite academics to Vietnam. Concordia International School Hanoi began the first academic year in 2011 with 50 students in a rented converted office in CMC Tower (pictured above). 

In 2016, we expanded into our permanent campus facility in Van Tri with more than 300 students. The Van Tri facility allowed us to expand our academic offerings in a modern classroom setting and continue to help students reach their full potential. The 2016-2017 academic year was also our first year with a graduating class of seniors. That year, our first university admissions “win” in our history was a student who gained early acceptance to New York University - among the Top 30 universities in the US.

At its inception, Concordia’s stated aim was to help students reach the world’s top universities. To date, Concordia graduates have gained acceptance to eleven Top 25 universities in the United States, including: University of Pennsylvania, Stanford, Princeton, Dartmouth, Duke, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UCLA and USC, as well as New York University, Rutgers and Oberlin, and universities around the world, from University of Sydney and Queen’s College in Canada, to Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, to Erasmus University in the Netherlands.

To accommodate our growing student population, Concordia unveiled its new state-of-the-art high school expansion building at the start of the 2019-2020 academic year. The new building features modern educational facilities, such as a “black box” theater, breakout rooms and collaboration areas for science labs and research work, and an expanded art studio.

Concordia today boasts 500 students from more than 26 countries studying a US curriculum in grades Preschool 4 through grade 12.

Come visit us today and be a part of our history!

Important Moments in our History

August 24th, 2011 - First Day of School at CMC
August 24th, 2011 - First Day of School at CMC

Founding faculty and staff share some of their memories from the very first day of school at Concordia.

September 9th, 2011: Concordia's Grand Opening Ceremony
September 9th, 2011: Concordia's Grand Opening Ceremony

On September 9th, 2011, Concordia held a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the start of Concordia.

September 15th, 2016: Van Tri Dedication Ceremony
September 15th, 2016: Van Tri Dedication Ceremony

Many special guests attended the event, including the Ambassador to the United States Mr. Ted Osius. The Ambassador spoke at the event, highlighting Grace Ritzema (Class of '17), a Concordia alum who was a National Merit Semi-finalist, and how Concordia's high-quality American education enriches Vietnam's success and the relationship between the US and Vietnam.

1847 - The First LCMS Schools Founded
1847 - The First LCMS Schools Founded

The 1847 constitution of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) placed a high priority on the creation of seminaries and schools to train pastors and teachers, reflecting the organization's commitment to education. The constitution also required member congregations to provide education for their children, ensuring that new congregations would establish parochial schools.

1857 - LCMS Teacher Training Institution Founded
1857 - LCMS Teacher Training Institution Founded

The first LCMS teacher training institution opened in Fort Wayne in 1857. However, the American Civil War necessitated the temporary relocation of the St. Louis seminary to Fort Wayne and subsequently the founding of a dedicated campus for the teacher training school in Addison, Illinois, in 1864. This institution would go through several name changes, ultimately becoming Concordia University Chicago in 1990.

1857-1894 - 12 More Schools Founded
1857-1894 - 12 More Schools Founded

Over the following half-century, the LCMS founded 12 schools, including St. John’s College and several Concordia institutions, to educate future teachers and pastors. These schools began as German-style gymnasiums offering broad academic and practical training, supported by community generosity and focused on preparing students for religious vocations.

1990 - Concordia International School Hong Kong is Founded
1990 - Concordia International School Hong Kong is Founded

Concordia International School Hong Kong is Founded. Open to students of all religious beliefs, the school is located in one of the most international cities in Asia, providing a North American-based education. Since then, Concordia Hong Kong has prepared hundreds of students for colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia and Europe.

1993 - First Feasibility Study For Concordia Hanoi
1993 - First Feasibility Study For Concordia Hanoi

Concordia International School Hong Kong is Founded. Open to students of all religious beliefs, the school is located in one of the most international cities in Asia, providing a North American-based education. Since then, Concordia Hong Kong has prepared hundreds of students for colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia and Europe.

1998 - Concordia International School Shanghai is Founded
1998 - Concordia International School Shanghai is Founded

Concordia International School Shanghai was launched in 1998 following considerable feasibility research and numerous requests from the Hong Kong corporate community for a school in China that offered the same level of educational support and community care as the acclaimed Hong Kong International School.

Jinqiao, Shanghai was selected as the perfect site for the new school—a fresh, new emerging international residential area that would enable the school to develop and grow closely with the residential community. Today the school educates more than 1,200 students and offers a complete program from Preschool to Grade 12.
 

2008 - Application submitted to Vietnamese government to open CISH
2008 - Application submitted to Vietnamese government to open CISH

Concordia International School Shanghai was launched in 1998 following considerable feasibility research and numerous requests from the Hong Kong corporate community for a school in China that offered the same level of educational support and community care as the acclaimed Hong Kong International School.

Jinqiao, Shanghai was selected as the perfect site for the new school—a fresh, new emerging international residential area that would enable the school to develop and grow closely with the residential community. Today the school educates more than 1,200 students and offers a complete program from Preschool to Grade 12.
 

2010 - Formal approval for Concordia by the Vietnamese Education Department
2010 - Formal approval for Concordia by the Vietnamese Education Department

Concordia International School Shanghai was launched in 1998 following considerable feasibility research and numerous requests from the Hong Kong corporate community for a school in China that offered the same level of educational support and community care as the acclaimed Hong Kong International School.

Jinqiao, Shanghai was selected as the perfect site for the new school—a fresh, new emerging international residential area that would enable the school to develop and grow closely with the residential community. Today the school educates more than 1,200 students and offers a complete program from Preschool to Grade 12.
 

About
Concordia
Hanoi

Concordia passionately strives for academic excellence, putting an emphasis on the quality of teaching in order to cultivate the child as a whole. We center our efforts on creating opportunities in the classroom and community to help students discover their talents as scholars, artists, athletes, and servant leaders.

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Parent Testimonials

Why did you choose Concordia Hanoi?

M.Harder 2024

Concordia has taken our kids to an academic level we couldn’t have imagined, which has even allowed our kids to get into top universities in a few countries.... We love what the counseling department does to prepare their kids to go overseas. They do a fantastic job, and I’ve never seen another school come close.”

- Grade 11 and Alumni Parent

Parent Satisfaction Survey 23-24 - 1

Because the education quality is good and the teachers care about the students. 

- Grade 8 and Grade 12 Parent

Parent Satisfaction Survey 23-24 - 9

It's because best international school in Hanoi.

- Grade 3 Parent

Parent Satisfaction Survey 23-24 - 8

I chose the school because I like its organization and educational policy.

- Preschool Parent

Parent Satisfaction Survey 23-24 - 7

The best AP school in Hanoi.

- Grade 6 and Grade 7 Parent

Parent Satisfaction Survey 23-24 - 6

We believe that Concordia offers a quality education in a save environment.

- Grade 1 Parent

Parent Satisfaction Survey 23-24 - 5

The strong academic culture and the commitment to parent partnership.

- Grade 3 and Grade 4 Parent

Parent Satisfaction Survey 23-24 - 4

For its values, academics, small class size, strong community, excellent teachers and staff, and its loving, caring environment.

- Grade 3 and Grade 5 Parent

Parent Satisfaction Survey 23-24 - 3

Excellent academics, international environment, excellent teachers.

- Preschool Parent

Parent Satisfaction Survey 23-24 - 2

It's a good school with strong academics.

- Grade 7 and Grade 10 Parent