Students stay in the city during Tet

At 12 o'clock on New Year's Eve, Dang Quynh Ngan saw off the last guests at the coffee shop, cleaned up, and returned from District 3 to her boarding house in Thu Duc.

The streets are deserted, the boarding house is dark, but Ngan is used to it. This is the second year the female student at Ho Chi Minh City University of Law has not returned to her hometown Nghe An for Tet.

Ngan said her mother was sick, her father was unable to work, not to mention expensive train and bus tickets, so she proactively stayed in the city to earn money to cover her education and living expenses.

"Seeing my friends return home to reunite with their families, I also feel sad. In my situation, I have to try harder and work harder," Ngan said, adding that last night she took the opportunity to call her parents at New Year's Eve, while she was at work. Receiving New Year's greetings from her family, the female student eased her homesickness.

Because the hourly wage is tripled to 60,000 VND on Tet, Ngan tries to work hard without taking a day off. On the morning of the first day, she cooks a simple breakfast, eats it quickly, then goes to work at 11am, preparing the shop to welcome customers from 12pm.

Tran Thi Truc Ly, a third-year student majoring in Business Administration at the University of Economics and Law, Ho Chi Minh City National University, also stayed in the city for the second consecutive Tet holiday.

Before that, seeing her friends dragging their suitcases back to their hometown, the girl from Quang Ngai felt sad and sorry for herself. But due to difficult family circumstances, having to take care of herself, Ly applied to work during Tet at a convenience store.

"On a normal day, I earn 23,000-32,000 VND per hour. During Tet, my salary doubles or triples, so I stay and work until the 10th day before going home," the 21-year-old girl shared, calculating that she can earn 6-7 million VND during Tet.

The female student said that last year she still went to work on New Year's Eve. It was her first time away from home for Tet, so she cried because she felt sorry for herself.

"This year, I have more experience and am stronger, so I try not to cry and not to make my parents sad," Ly shared. In her free time, Ly will take advantage of it to rest and not go out.

Truc Ly (in white shirt) at the student meeting celebrating Tet away from home at Ho Chi Minh City National University, morning of February 3. Photo: UEL

In addition to Ly, the University of Economics and Law has 20 other students staying in Ho Chi Minh City during this Tet holiday. According to statistics from the Ho Chi Minh City National University Dormitory Management Board, more than 50 students stayed, most of them to work part-time.

Mr. Tang Huu Thuy, Director of the Dormitory Management Center, Ho Chi Minh City National University, said that this unit had previously received information and connected with the student's workplace, confirming the shift to support the dormitory's entry and exit times.

"The students work the night shift until 11 or 12 a.m., and it takes about an hour to travel from the city center back to the dormitory. Therefore, the management board keeps track of the time so that the security guards can open the gate for the students," said Mr. Thuy. In addition, the leaders also contact and confirm that the students will stay in the city for Tet so that their families can rest assured.

In Hanoi, the number of students who did not return home for Tet was recorded to be lower. Many schools such as National Economics, Commerce, Irrigation, Mining - Geology, Cryptography Engineering... did not have students staying. The Academy of Journalism and Communication had three Vietnamese students, all from difficult circumstances, and 12 Lao students celebrating Tet in the dormitory.

Students celebrating Tet away from home receive gifts from the Ho Chi Minh City Student Support Center, January 31. Photo: SAC

After counting the number of students staying, the university and the organization organized many activities to support and encourage them.

Master Cu Xuan Tien, Head of Admissions and Student Affairs Department, University of Economics and Law, said that on February 3, school leaders and departments met, wished a happy new year and gave lucky money to students staying behind.

At the Academy of Journalism and Communication, Master Le Khanh Loc, Head of Dormitory Management, said that at 10pm last night, the board of directors came to the dormitory to meet and wish the students a Happy New Year. Before that, each student was supported with 500,000 VND to buy more food.

"We also moved students to rooms near the management area for convenient support, creating a close atmosphere, and having activities like at home to help them feel less bored," Mr. Loc shared.

Similarly, the Ho Chi Minh City National University Dormitory also arranged for more than 50 students to stay in one area. They were supported with one million VND for food each, along with gifts from Ho Chi Minh City National University worth about 250,000 VND. On the morning of the first day, students received lucky money from the management board and representatives of the schools.

Previously, the Ho Chi Minh City Student Support Center gave each person a Tet gift worth 1 million VND. Mr. Le Nguyen Nam, Deputy Director of the Center, assessed that the economic recession after the Covid-19 pandemic has deeply affected social life, especially for disadvantaged students and pupils, so the center contributed to supporting them.

Having spent many years staying in the city to work during Tet, Mr. Tang Huu Thuy said he understands the feelings and concerns of students far from home while their friends are all gathered with their families.

"We try to keep the connection with students, so they don't feel lonely and sad during these days," said Mr. Thuy.

Le Nguyen - Thanh Hang

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