At this time when the new school year is about to begin, students in Son La are struggling to find a room to rent. Many students have to choose to stay in a transplant or dormitory to reduce financial pressure.
Walking around the boarding houses near Tay Bac University, Son La College, Son La Medical College... most of the rooms were full.
Lo Thi Phuong, a new student majoring in Preschool Education at Tay Bac University, said that after receiving an admission notice, she proactively went to school early to find a room. However, for more than a week now, I have not found a suitable room.
"I want to rent a clean room, with a private kitchen and bathroom. However, room rates in areas near schools are often very high (from 1.1 to 1.3 million VND/month), not to mention electricity and water costs. Although the price is high, most rooms are rented, the rest are degraded rooms that do not guarantee quality" - Phuong shared.
Lo Van Tung, a third-year student at Tay Bac University, shared that although he has experience renting rooms, he did not expect that this year, rooms near the school will be scarce and prices will increase.
"For nearly a week now, I have been looking for a room around the school, but any room that I like has someone to rent. In the end, I had to rent it outside near National Highway 6, about 10km from the school" - Tung shared.
According to a survey by Lao Dong Newspaper reporters, in areas near the school, a closed rented room with an area of 20 - 25m2 often costs from 900 thousand VND to 1.3 million VND/month. Some newly built rooms are equipped with heating and cold, cabinet beds, the price can be from 1.5 - 1.8 million VND/month.
For boarding houses far from the center, room prices also range from only 700 - 900 thousand VND/month, but living conditions are limited, many rooms do not ensure safety in terms of security, order and fire prevention and fighting.
To quickly find a room, many students search on social networks, however, renting a room online has many potential risks.
Finding a room online is very convenient, but the information and advertising images on the internet are sometimes inaccurate. Many people who do not come to see it directly but deposit online are easily scammed" - Luong Thi Xuyen, a first-year student at Son La College shared.
Ms. Le Thi Thao, owner of Phuong Thao boarding house in Dun village, Chieng Sinh ward, said that during this time, students are looking for accommodation in large numbers. Many boarding houses have been out of rooms since the beginning of August.
"There is also a situation of taking advantage of the scarcity of rooms, some landlords have increased prices or required high deposits" - Ms. Thao said.
Mr. Kieu Tien Luong - Secretary of the Northwest University Youth Union said that in order to support students in finding rooms, in addition to consulting students to stay in the school's dormitory, the Student Volunteer Club regularly consols and introduces rooms to new students.
"We also recommend that students be vigilant against short-form advertisements on unclear websites, carefully check facilities, electricity and water costs and deposit terms before signing the contract. The club aims to support about 500 new students to rent suitable rooms" - Mr. Luong shared.
