VAS (Vietnam Australia International School) Summer Camp – What They Do and What They Offer

VAS Summer Camp is an annual summer programme organised by Vietnam Australia International School (VAS) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It is designed as a multi-week, bilingual (English-rich) summer experience for children and students across a broad age range. The programme blends academic exploration, personal development activities, cultural experiences and fun challenges to support holistic growth beyond the regular school year.

Purpose and Educational Focus

The primary purpose of the VAS Summer Camp is to offer learners a summer environment that combines skill development, exploration, creativity, physical activity and English language engagement. The curriculum integrates a variety of subjects and activities — including STEAM areas (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Maths), sports, arts, crafts, personal challenges and global citizenship themes — with the aim of supporting students’ academic, social, physical and creative development.

Programme Options and Structure

The VAS Summer Camp is structured with multiple programme options designed to meet different interests and developmental goals:

• Exploration Camp: A broad exploratory experience where students engage in over 20 foundational and choice subjects inspired by past summer activities. This includes weekly competitions, team challenges, global changemaker activities and regular fun-day events.
• English Intensive Camp: A camp focused on Cambridge English language skills, where over 80% of activities are delivered in English. Participants work on the four core skills — listening, speaking, reading and writing — alongside arts, crafts, storytelling and communication challenges.
• International Camps: Separate international experiences are offered as special trips (e.g., Australia, USA, Switzerland, Singapore–Malaysia, Korea) lasting from 7 to 15 days in diverse global destinations. These include cultural immersion, exploration, visiting universities or iconic landmarks, and experiential tours.

Language and Teaching Environment

The Summer Camp is delivered in a bilingual international environment, with a significant portion of activities conducted in English — typically 50–83% depending on the programme track. The teaching team comprises both expat and local teachers and specialists who support academic and co-curricular experiences. This approach is designed to help students use English in real contexts while building confidence in communication and intercultural skills.

Activities and Experiences

VAS Summer Camp includes a wide array of weekly activities aimed at engaging learners in hands-on and collaborative experiences:

• STEAM Learning: Foundational knowledge in science, technology, engineering, arts and maths — often blended into project-based tasks.
• Sports & Physical Development: Physical activities, swimming opportunities and team sports designed to build fitness and teamwork. Arts, Performing & Creative Projects: Singing, dancing, performance workshops and creative art experiences.
• Global Citizenship & Challenges: Global changemaker themes, team challenges and personal development events.
• Experiential Field Trips: Visits tailored by age, such as Dragon Farm, JP World, Kids Playground for younger groups, and overnight adventures or multi-day trips for older students.

These experiences are designed to reinforce learning with real-world applications, encourage creativity, and provide social and physical engagement outside the classroom.

Developmental Goals and Benefits

VAS Summer Camp is intentionally structured to support holistic development, including:

• Academic enrichment through foundational subjects and English language immersion.
• Skill building in digital literacy, social skills and core values like leadership and teamwork.
• Physical growth through sports and active play.
• Artistic and creative expression through arts, crafts and performances. Global awareness as students explore cultural, scientific and community themes.

The programme helps learners uncover potential, develop confidence, and enrich their understanding of diverse subjects through both classroom and experiential learning.

Age Groups and Participation

While the official Summer Camp page does not list exact age eligibility, VAS programmes are typically open to students from Kindergarten through Secondary school levels, with tailored activities and field trips adapted to different age groups. Some components, like international trips, have specific grade or age guidelines.

Conclusion

VAS Summer Camp is a comprehensive, international-style summer programme by the Vietnam Australia International School in Ho Chi Minh City. It blends academic enrichment, English immersion, STEAM learning, arts, sports and global experiences into a structured 6-plus-week holiday programme. With options ranging from local exploration and intensive English tracks to international cultural trips, the camp supports students’ holistic growth — intellectually, socially, physically and creatively — in a bilingual environment with experienced educators.