Students who stayed in the city during Tet

At midnight on New Year's Eve, Dang Quynh Ngan saw off the last customers at the cafe, cleaned up, and then returned from District 3 to her rented room in Thu Duc.

The streets were deserted, the boarding house was dark, but Ngan was used to it. This was the second year that the female student from Ho Chi Minh City University of Law hadn't returned to her hometown in Nghe An for Tet.

Ngan said that her mother is ill, her father is unable to work, not to mention the high cost of train and bus tickets, so she proactively decided to stay in the city to earn money to cover her tuition and living expenses.

"Seeing my friends go home to reunite with their families makes me feel a little nostalgic. Given my circumstances, I have to try harder and be more diligent," Ngan said, adding that she managed to call her parents at midnight on New Year's Eve while she was at work. Receiving New Year's greetings from her family helped ease her homesickness.

Because the hourly wage was tripled to 60,000 VND during Tet (Lunar New Year), Ngan worked tirelessly, without taking a single day off. On the morning of the first day of Tet, she cooked a simple breakfast, ate quickly, and then went to her part-time job at 11 am, preparing for the shop to welcome customers from 12 pm.

Tran Thi Truc Ly, a third-year business administration student at the University of Economics and Law, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, is also staying in the city for the second consecutive Tet holiday.

Earlier, seeing her friends carrying suitcases back to their hometowns, the girl from Quang Ngai felt a pang of sadness and loneliness. But due to her family's difficult circumstances and the need to support herself, Ly applied to work throughout the Tet holiday at a convenience store.

"On a normal day, I earn 23,000-32,000 VND per hour. During Tet (Lunar New Year), the salary doubles or triples, so I take advantage of the opportunity to stay and work until the 10th day before going home," the 21-year-old girl shared, calculating that she could earn 6-7 million VND during the Tet holidays.

The female student recounted that last year she was still working on New Year's Eve. It was her first time away from home during Tet (Lunar New Year), and she felt so lonely that she burst into tears.

"This year I'm more experienced and stronger, so I try not to cry and not to upset my parents," Ly shared. In her free time, Ly takes advantage of the opportunity to rest and doesn't go out.

Truc Ly (in white shirt) at a gathering of students celebrating Tet away from home at the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, on the morning of February 3rd. Photo: UEL.

Besides Ly, 20 other students from the University of Economics and Law are staying in Ho Chi Minh City for Tet this year. According to statistics from the Ho Chi Minh City National University Dormitory Management Board, more than 50 students are staying, mostly to work part-time.

Mr. Tang Huu Thuy, Director of the Dormitory Management Center, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, said that the unit had previously gathered information and connected with the students' workplaces to confirm their work shifts in order to support their dormitory entry and exit times.

"The students work night shifts until 11 or 12 midnight, and it takes about an hour to travel from the city center back to the dormitory. Therefore, the management keeps track of the schedule so that the security guards can open the gate for them," Mr. Thuy said. In addition, the supervisors also contact and confirm that the students will be staying in the city for Tet (Lunar New Year) so that their families can rest assured.

In Hanoi, the number of students not returning home for Tet (Lunar New Year) was recorded as lower. Many universities, such as the National Economics University, the University of Commerce, the University of Water Resources, the University of Mining and Geology, and the University of Cryptography, had no students staying behind. The Academy of Journalism and Communication had three Vietnamese students, all from disadvantaged backgrounds, 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 on January 31st. Photo: SAC

After compiling statistics on the number of students remaining, the university and student organizations organize various activities to support and encourage them.

According to Mr. Cu Xuan Tien, Head of the Admissions and Student Affairs Department at the University of Economics and Law, on February 3rd, the university's leadership and departments met with, wished a Happy New Year to, and gave lucky money to students who stayed on campus.

At the Academy of Journalism and Communication, Master Le Khanh Loc, Head of Dormitory Management, said that at 10 PM last night, the management board visited the dormitory to meet with and wish students a Happy New Year. Prior to that, each student received 500,000 VND to buy extra food.

"We also moved the students to rooms near the management area for easier support, creating a friendly atmosphere and activities similar to those at home to help them feel less lonely," Mr. Loc shared.

Similarly, the Ho Chi Minh City National University dormitory also arranged for more than 50 students to stay together in one area. Each student received a 1 million VND allowance for food and drinks, along with a gift from the Ho Chi Minh City National University worth approximately 250,000 VND. On the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, students received lucky money from the management and representatives of the universities.

Previously, the Ho Chi Minh City Student Support Center presented each student with a Tet gift worth 1 million VND. Mr. Le Nguyen Nam, Deputy Director of the Center, stated that the economic downturn following the Covid-19 pandemic has profoundly affected social life, especially for disadvantaged students and pupils, so the center contributed to supporting them.

Having spent many years working part-time in the city during Tet (Lunar New Year), Mr. Tang Huu Thuy said he understands the feelings and anxieties of students far from home while their friends are all gathered with their families.

"We are trying to maintain a connection with the students, so that they don't feel lonely or sad during these days," Mr. Thuy said.

Le Nguyen - Thanh Hang

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