Bringing Tet home with students

With more than a month remaining until the Lunar New Year (Tet) 2026 (the Year of the Horse), universities, colleges, and Youth Union organizations across the locality have rolled out a range of practical activities to support students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds and those studying far from home.

Truong Le Bao Trinh, Secretary of the Youth Union of Lac Hong University, presents Tet gifts to students who serve as Youth Union and Association officers at the university. Photo: Collaborator

From support policies to practical activities implemented by universities, colleges, and Youth Union organizations, numerous meaningful programs have been carried out and are ongoing, helping students “bring Tet home” while enabling them to study with peace of mind and strengthen their attachment to Dong Nai.

Many activities to support students

To help share difficulties and bring a warm spring atmosphere to students ahead of the Lunar New Year, universities and colleges across Dong Nai have proactively implemented a range of practical support activities, from awarding scholarships and presenting Tet gifts to organizing spiritual and recreational activities for students.

Accordingly, Mien Dong College, located in Binh Phuoc ward, is organizing the “Spring of Love - Supporting Students' Education” scholarship program in 2026. The program is expected to award 10 scholarships, each worth 1 million VND, to eligible students. Similarly, Dong Nai Technical College, located in Tran Bien ward, plans to present 15 Tet gift packages to disadvantaged students currently studying at the college.

Alongside activities to support students’ spiritual well-being, as part of the “LHU Tet journey 2026" program, Lac Hong University organized a lucky draw event for its students on January 5. The program attracted around 1,000 student participants, with red-envelope prizes ranging in value from 10,000 to 500,000 VND, helping create a cheerful and warm atmosphere in the days leading up to Tet.

On January 6, the university continued with the “Bus tickets for Tet 2026” Gala program, attended and supported by many enterprises. At the event, businesses presented 40 Tet gift packages to disadvantaged students and to active Youth Union and Association officers who have made substantial contributions to the student movement.

Nguyen Thuy Minh Hue, a Public Relations student, said she was deeply surprised to receive a Tet gift intended for students in difficult circumstances. Minh Hue shared: “Due to my family’s hardships, every year we have received Tet gifts from the local authorities in Long Thanh commune, but I never imagined that after entering university, I would receive a Tet gift from the school. It is an unexpected gift and a great source of encouragement, giving me the motivation to keep striving and achieve good academic results.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Vu Quynh, Vice Rector of Lac Hong University, said that the university will review cases to present Tet gifts to students who are studying far from home and are unable to return to their hometowns for the holiday.

The joy of returning home for Tet on free bus trips

As part of the LHU Tet journey 2026, 412 students of Lac Hong University will be transported home for Tet free of charge on high-quality sleeper buses, ensuring safety and convenience. Starting from January 26, after students complete their end-of-term examinations, Lac Hong University will organize zero-fare bus trips to take students home for the Tet holiday. Students eligible for the program who do not travel on the organized buses will receive financial support of up to 1 million VND per student.

To date, the LHU Tet journey of Lac Hong University has been held seven times, supporting over 3,500 student trips home for family reunions during the Lunar New Year, with a total budget exceeding 3 billion VND. The program not only offers practical material support but also reflects the care and solidarity of the university and the business community toward students. As is tradition, when the buses depart with students “bringing Tet home,” the university’s Rectorate Board sees them off and extends New Year greetings to the students and their families. In some previous editions of the LHU Tet journey program, representatives of the Rectorate Board even joined the trips, visiting and offering Tet greetings to families of the university’s students.

Nguyen Thi Loan, a student of the Faculty of Pharmacy at Lac Hong University, shared: “I am from Ha Tinh province. This year marks my fourth year of study at the university, and I have received support through the LHU Tet journey every year. I feel grateful and thrilled that the university cares for and supports its students in this way.”

Students from disadvantaged backgrounds in the Central and Central Highlands regions who are studying at universities and colleges in Dong Nai province will also have the opportunity to join zero-fare bus trips home for Tet as part of the “Bringing Tet Home” program organized by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee. Under the program’s allocation, Dong Nai province has received 700 coach tickets for students, young workers, and laborers from poor and near-poor households who have not returned home for Tet in three years or more. The Organizing Committee will also consider support for families severely affected by natural disasters and floods. In addition to registering directly at the Dong Nai Provincial Youth Union (with a deadline of January 12), students wishing to participate may also register online via the website: mangtetvenha.doanthanhnien.vn.

The bus trips taking students home for Tet not only help ease their travel cost burden but also serve as a bridge of care, enabling them to reunite with their families after a year of studying away from home. Tet gifts and scholarships help students in difficult circumstances enjoy a more complete holiday, while also providing encouragement and motivation for them to strive further in their studies.

By Hai Yen – Translated by Huyen Trang, Minho