The recent floods devastated several provinces in Central Vietnam, causing heavy losses to people’s property and livelihoods. Upon learning that some students’ families were among those severely affected, the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City (IUH) immediately took action to support them.
To ensure that students’ education is not disrupted, the University has announced tuition extensions for all students living in flood-affected regions. Particularly, for cases suffering severe damage, IUH will provide additional support depending on the level of impact including the possibility of a 100% tuition fee waiver.
One of the most severely affected students is Trương Thanh Bình, a student from the Faculty of Tourism & Commerce. Due to the destructive flash floods and blocked roads, Bình lost contact with his family for four days. His hometown of Hòa Thịnh, formerly in Phú Yên and now part of Đắk Lắk province, lies within the flood epicenter, suffering substantial human and material losses, leaving him deeply worried for his parents’ safety.
To ensure that students’ education is not disrupted, the University has announced tuition extensions for all students living in flood-affected regions. Particularly, for cases suffering severe damage, IUH will provide additional support depending on the level of impact including the possibility of a 100% tuition fee waiver.
One of the most severely affected students is Trương Thanh Bình, a student from the Faculty of Tourism & Commerce. Due to the destructive flash floods and blocked roads, Bình lost contact with his family for four days. His hometown of Hòa Thịnh, formerly in Phú Yên and now part of Đắk Lắk province, lies within the flood epicenter, suffering substantial human and material losses, leaving him deeply worried for his parents’ safety.
Trương Thanh Bình – IUH student from Đắk Lắk province
Bình’s family earns its living mainly from agriculture; during the off-season, his father works as a construction helper to supplement income. However, the recent floods swept away their rice seeds, destroyed transportation means, and left their livelihood in extreme hardship.
“I was really worried because, given the situation, my family cannot afford this semester’s tuition. Even though the water has receded, my parents don’t know where to start again our rice seeds and all of my father’s tools for masonry work were destroyed or washed away,” Bình shared.
The floodwaters rose so high that they nearly submerged the entire house. Seven family members his grandparents, aunt’s family, and his parents and younger sister had to shelter on makeshift planks placed across the rooftop.
“My family works in agriculture; whenever crops are scarce, my father takes masonry jobs for extra income, and sometimes I help him. Now everything is gone. My parents don’t know how they will start over,” Bình said with emotion.
“I was really worried because, given the situation, my family cannot afford this semester’s tuition. Even though the water has receded, my parents don’t know where to start again our rice seeds and all of my father’s tools for masonry work were destroyed or washed away,” Bình shared.
The floodwaters rose so high that they nearly submerged the entire house. Seven family members his grandparents, aunt’s family, and his parents and younger sister had to shelter on makeshift planks placed across the rooftop.
“My family works in agriculture; whenever crops are scarce, my father takes masonry jobs for extra income, and sometimes I help him. Now everything is gone. My parents don’t know how they will start over,” Bình said with emotion.
The temporary flood shelter for Bình’s family of seven wooden planks set across the roof to survive the rising waters
Understanding Bình’s situation, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Hồng Hải – President of IUH stated:
“The University is reviewing all affected students to provide timely support. For Bình's case, IUH has decided to waive 100% of his tuition fees for the second semester. We hope he can continue his studies without financial pressure.”
Beyond Bình’s case, the University continues identifying other affected students to provide tuition waivers, reductions, or extensions, helping them overcome post-disaster difficulties.
Another student from the former Phú Yên region, Nguyễn Chí Mạnh, a third-year student of the Faculty of Automotive Engineering Technology, was more fortunate as his home is located in a higher area and not directly impacted. Witnessing the severe damage to his hometown, Mạnh used his break to return and support residents in Hòa Thành and Hòa Xuân communes.
Thanks to support from a local enterprise, Mạnh’s family received 30 million VND to distribute directly to 60 households (500,000 VND each). His family also contributed essential goods such as rice, food, and drinking water to support those in need.
“Even during exam season, I couldn’t stay still seeing my hometown devastated. I returned with my family to deliver aid as quickly as possible. As a local, I know the area and which households need help the most,” Mạnh shared.
“The University is reviewing all affected students to provide timely support. For Bình's case, IUH has decided to waive 100% of his tuition fees for the second semester. We hope he can continue his studies without financial pressure.”
Beyond Bình’s case, the University continues identifying other affected students to provide tuition waivers, reductions, or extensions, helping them overcome post-disaster difficulties.
Another student from the former Phú Yên region, Nguyễn Chí Mạnh, a third-year student of the Faculty of Automotive Engineering Technology, was more fortunate as his home is located in a higher area and not directly impacted. Witnessing the severe damage to his hometown, Mạnh used his break to return and support residents in Hòa Thành and Hòa Xuân communes.
Thanks to support from a local enterprise, Mạnh’s family received 30 million VND to distribute directly to 60 households (500,000 VND each). His family also contributed essential goods such as rice, food, and drinking water to support those in need.
“Even during exam season, I couldn’t stay still seeing my hometown devastated. I returned with my family to deliver aid as quickly as possible. As a local, I know the area and which households need help the most,” Mạnh shared.
Nguyễn Chí Mạnh – automotive engineering student – returning to Hòa An commune to support residents
Leveraging its strengths in apparel and fashion training, the Faculty of Garment & Fashion Technology's lecturers and students quickly completed 300 sets of school uniforms for children in flood-hit areas. After the floods, many children lost their clothes and had no uniforms to return to school. Understanding this hardship, the faculty members worked together to provide warmth and motivation to help students continue their education.
Lecturers and students from the Faculty of Garment & Fashion Technology are preparing uniforms for children in flood-affected areas
Earlier, all IUH staff and employees collectively donated 4.328 billion VND through Tuổi Trẻ Newspaper to directly support residents in the flood-stricken regions.
