High tuition fees, parents struggle to support their children through university.

Going to university has always been a great hope for many families, but that journey is becoming increasingly difficult as tuition fees rise and living costs continue to escalate. Behind the numbers lies a story of frugality and effort from both parents and students to achieve their dreams.

Tuition fees - A parent's concern

In September, when universities are bustling with the arrival of new students, many parents are also worried about the financial burden of tuition fees for their children. Ms. Pham Thi Theu, originally from Ninh Binh (formerly Nam Dinh province), sits at a small roadside stall on Hoang Minh Giam Street, Phu Nhuan Ward (formerly Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City), her eyes filled with concern as she talks about her daughter, who has just started her first year at Saigon University.

"I'm so happy that my daughter got into university, but I also have many worries. The tuition fee is 30 million dong a year, not including rent and food. My husband initially didn't want her to go to university because he was afraid he couldn't afford it, but I absolutely supported her education. We've had a hard life already, and I don't want her to suffer too," Thêu confided.

Every day, Thêu sells drinks until midnight to earn money to support her children's education.

PHOTO: THAO PHUONG

To provide for their children, Thêu's family has to live in two separate places. She and her eldest daughter rent a room near their business, costing 3 million VND per month, while her husband and two younger children rent a room in Dong Hung Thuan Ward (formerly District 12, Ho Chi Minh City), costing an additional 4 million VND. In total, the family spends 7 million VND per month just on rent.

"My husband drives a tricycle, and I sell drinks from 11 am to 12 am. We have to be frugal with our meals; my husband cooks and brings food over for me and our child. Many nights I feel sad thinking about it, after more than 20 years of making a living in the city, I'm still living in rented accommodation and struggling to pay for my child's education," Thêu shared.

Despite working hard selling goods and hoping to save up to feed and educate her children, the family is currently burdened with tens of millions of dong in debt from previous years' business losses, adding to the heavy burden on their shoulders.

Ms. Pham Thi Ngo, originally from Da Nang City (formerly Quang Nam province), also has a child entering university this year and is deeply worried about tuition fees. Her family of three lives in a small rented room of about 10 square meters in Linh Xuan Ward (formerly Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City). When we arrived, Ms. Ngo had just returned to her room after her shift, and her son was also hurrying out to work part-time. Her son is studying Automotive Engineering Technology, a bilingual Vietnamese-Japanese program at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education, with tuition fees of 50 million VND per year. Ms. Ngo said her son chose the bilingual program hoping for more job opportunities after graduation.

"At the beginning of the school year, my child had to pay 28 million VND in tuition fees, but my husband and I only managed to save 18 million VND. We had to borrow another 10 million VND from colleagues to make up the difference. We don't know how we'll manage for the following semesters. The highest monthly salary for a factory worker is 10 million VND, and in months with less work, it's only 8 million VND. So, when my child goes to university, I'm very worried and anxious about many things," Ms. Ngo confided.

Her greatest comfort is her obedient and understanding son. She recounted that her husband used to work as a ride-hailing driver, with an unstable income. Since their son started university, he applied for a job at a company hoping for a more stable income. "We only have one child, so no matter how difficult things are, we have to try our best to provide for him. I just hope he finishes his studies, gets a good job, and doesn't suffer like his parents," she said.

Striving to hold onto the dream of going to college.

While parents struggle financially, students also strive tirelessly to keep their dream of attending university alive. Lam Gia Bao, the son of Ms. Ngo, said he is working part-time at a coffee shop near his accommodation, earning 25,000 VND per hour. Bao has been doing this job for the past three summer months.

Currently, since the new school year has started, Bao is working the night shift from 6:30 PM to midnight. "I'm working part-time to help my parents. I use the money I earn to buy books, study materials, and school supplies. Tuition fees are too high, and I can't help them yet," Bao said.

Students take on part-time jobs to earn money and help ease the financial burden on their parents.

After school, Bao would cook dinner for the whole family and eat before going to work. Despite working nights and having to wake up early for school the next day, Bao persevered because he understood that every penny he earned was a burden lifted from his parents' shoulders.

Meanwhile, Giang Thi Che, a new student at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade, couldn't hide her sadness when talking about her family. Coming from a poor family, with a frequently ill mother, Che once thought her dream would have to be abandoned because her family couldn't afford it. "I had to persuade my parents for a long time before they agreed. My mother said she wanted me to finish my education, but because we're poor, she's helpless," Che recounted, her voice choked with emotion.

The tuition fee of 36 million VND per year is a large sum for a family without a stable income. To allow their child to go to school, Chè's parents had to borrow money from relatives. "I felt so sad that my parents had to borrow money. Sometimes I thought about giving up my studies so my parents could pay it back. When I arrived in the city and looked at my luggage, I was still unsure whether I had done the right thing or the wrong thing," Chè confided.

Chè said she wanted to stay in the dormitory to save money, but because there were no more rooms available, she had to rent a room with a friend for 2.5 million VND per month. "I told myself I have to study hard so as not to disappoint my parents. After I adapt to life here, I will look for a part-time job," Chè said.

Kim Ngan, originally from Lam Dong (formerly Binh Thuan province), is a second-year midwifery student at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City. She shares a similar dilemma. Ngan is the eldest of five sisters in a family of farmers who work hard year-round. Her tuition is 46 million VND per year, plus 13 million VND for dormitory fees for 10 months. Each month, her parents provide 2.5 million VND, a sum she must save as much as possible to cover her expenses.

"My parents are struggling financially. Besides farming, my father does whatever work he can find, while my mother is a housewife, takes care of both sets of grandparents who suffered strokes, and works extra jobs to help my father support the family. Last year, I received a scholarship that reduced my tuition by 75% for new students, but from my second year onwards, my family had to take out student loans to support me," Ngân recounted.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hoc-phi-cao-cha-me-gong-ganh-nuoi-con-hoc-dai-hoc-18525091719084056.htm