20,000 VND student meal and the problem of making ends meet in a big city

(Dan Tri) - In the middle of expensive urban areas, many students away from home have to struggle to maintain a meal of 20,000-30,000 VND.

The burden of eating out and the worry of unhygienic conditions

Entering university, many new students face independent living for the first time, when food costs are one of the most "shocking" expenses.

Bao An, a first-year student at Ho Chi Minh City National University, shared: "When I was at home, my mother took care of everything, so I didn't know how much a meal cost. When I came here, I realized that a meal at a restaurant costs 25,000-30,000 VND, with only a few pieces of meat and a few vegetables. Eating out is not only unhygienic, but also gets boring quickly."

The fear of cooking, not having a private space or simply lacking basic equipment such as a stove, rice cooker, etc. makes many young people like Bao An have to accept eating out, even though they know that "it's both expensive and not delicious".

Quoc Anh, a third-year student at the University of Natural Sciences, Ho Chi Minh City National University, agreed: "In my first year, a meal cost only 20,000-25,000 VND, but now it has increased by 5-10,000 VND/meal. The quality has not changed, but an extra meal that was previously free now costs 2,000-3,000 VND. Although the amount is not large, it still makes me feel more "hesitant" to ask for more."

A meal at a restaurant costs 35,000 VND and can only include 1 main dish and some vegetables (Photo: Phuong Thao).

This is a common reality for many students, especially those in dormitories or rented rooms that do not allow cooking. They are forced to accept the "eating out" lifestyle, despite always worrying about food hygiene and safety.

The repetitive menu also makes many students quickly bored and lose their appetite. This reality shows that, despite trying to save money, the "eating out" lifestyle is always a burden for students away from home, forcing them to find ways to overcome it.

Home-cooked meals: Economic solution and spiritual support

Faced with the burden of eating out, many students have turned to cooking for themselves to be more proactive in spending and ensure the quality of their meals.

Tam Tam, a second-year student at Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, shared: "I'm used to home-cooked meals. Eating out quickly gets boring and is very expensive. Luckily, my parents in the countryside often send rice, dried fish, braised meat... so I only need to buy more vegetables and eggs."

Many students prefer to go to the market to personally choose each type of fresh food (Photo: Phuong Thao).

With only 20,000 VND, Tam Tam can buy a bunch of vegetables for 5,000 VND, add an egg or a piece of tofu. Many days, she also buys tomatoes and cucumbers to eat with it.

"Country rice, braised dried fish, a plate of vegetables, and a plate of fried tofu are enough to feel like a meal at home," she said.

With the same amount of money, the quality of home-cooked meals is much better, and hygiene is guaranteed. Moreover, this also helps female students save a considerable amount of money.

In addition to planning menus, many students have also become "experts" in hunting for promotions to reduce costs. Quoc Tuan, a fourth-year student at the University of Technology, Ho Chi Minh City National University, is an example.

With a busy schedule of studying and working part-time, Tuan often comes home late, which is also the time when supermarkets and convenience stores start to have discounts.

"Every evening, I watch for promotions, with vegetables and meat discounted by half price. I buy them to cook immediately so I don't have to worry about them spoiling or smelling. Moreover, these products still have an expiration date, so I feel very secure," Tuan shared.

Boiled morning glory and braised pork – a familiar meal for many young people away from home (Photo: Phuong Thao).

For Tuan, cooking is not only an economical solution but also a way to relieve stress after a long day. Home-cooked meals become a spiritual "support", where each student can take care of themselves, find initiative and comfort in life away from home.

Looking at the 20,000-30,000 VND meals of students, it can be seen that it is not only a way to survive during the price storm, but also a practical “lesson” in independence. From going to the market, hunting for promotional items, cooking, each student gradually forms the habit of reasonable spending and life skills – a necessary luggage.

Phuong Thao

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/bua-com-sinh-vien-20000-dong-va-bai-toan-xoay-xo-noi-thanh-pho-lon-20250923231744788.htm