Student Bui Thi Oanh from Nghe An Province said, “This is the second year I’ve enjoyed a free ticket. This is great for students who live far away from their families.”
Tran Thi Ty, a fourth-year student at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, who lives in Quang Binh Province said, “Initially, I didn’t intend to return home for Tet because bus ticket prices have tripled. It costs nearly VND2 million (USD95.23) for a return ticket from Ho Chi Minh City.”
This year, the centre arranged 38 bus trips for poor students in the central and Central Highlands region, including students whose families were affected by recent floods, and those suffering from disabilities or live in mountainous areas. The total cost for the programme this year is likely to reach VND1 billion (USD47,600).
The HCM City Student Assistance Centre has carried out the programme for nine years, supporting roughly 25,000 students.
The centre has also provided information for students willing to work during Tet and provided gifts for students having to remain at dormitories in HCM City.
Hanoi: Offering gifts to poor students for Tet
This year, the Hanoi Students Association have continued providing gifts and arranging bus trips for poor students to return home for Tet. Around 1,000 students have benefited from the programme, receiving a chung cake and VND50,000 (USD2.38).
The students mostly live in remote areas in northern mountainous localities, including Bac Kan, Hoa Binh, Lai Chau and Son La and the central provinces which often face flooding, such as Thanh Hoa, Nghe An and Ha Tinh.
The association has implemented the programme since 2009.
Ho Chi Minh City authorities handing over tickets to students
Nearly 2,800 students gathering at the station before returning home
Happy faces
