VietNamNet Bridge – Youth organisations and individuals have been busily preparing to welcome and help students who will be taking university entrance examinations next month.

More than 38,000 volunteer students of universities and colleges across the country will assist candidates with various tasks, including giving information on paperwork, lodgings and exam locations.

The volunteers are members of Tiep suc mua thi (Support Students in the University Entrance Exam), launched by the Viet Nam Students’ Association at the beginning of this month.

The programmes are being developed in 12 provinces and cities, including Ha Noi, Da Nang, Dak Lak, HCM City and Can Tho.

Under the programme, the provincial students’ associations and support centre for students and youth unions offer free meals, bus tickets, maps and free or inexpensive lodgings to candidates and their relatives.

Quach Hai Dat, director of the HCM City Support Centre for Students, said by last weekend the centre had prepared 90,000 free meals, 30,000 free bus tickets, 10,000 bus route maps, and 250,000 city maps for candidates and their relatives.

More than 17,000 volunteers are waiting at the coach and train stations including the Northern Coach Station, Western Coach Station and Sai Gon Train Station to pick up provincial students.

Le Thi Hanh, a third-year student at HCM City University of Natural Sciences, said, “As a native of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, I learnt that it was difficult when coming to a new place and taking one of the most important examination in life.”

“I’m very excited to help candidates feel comfortable to prepare for tests,” said Hanh, who is waiting for candidates at the Sai Gon Train Station in District 3.

Dat said by last weekend volunteers had picked up and arranged accommodations to 20,000 candidates and their relatives.

The centre has also called on individuals and organisations to offer free or cheap lodgings from VND20,000-80,000, for 30,000-40,000 candidates and their relatives.

Cao Thi Oanh in Go Vap District, who has offered free lodgings for candidates for five years, said this year she had three rooms, a ground floor and a terrace for students to stay during the exam.

She hoped her contribution would encourage students to do their best.

“The centre and other youth organisations in the city are ready to support students who will be taking the exams,” Dat said.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News