Phuong, a second-year student at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, lives in Zone B of the dormitory complex at Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM).

Last year, she usually arrived at the gate by 6:30 a.m. to catch bus number 33 to the Zone A dormitory stop, about 4 km away, and then walked over 1 km to her university.

But since mid-August, she has had to wake up an hour earlier, waiting for a bus from 5:30 a.m. Phuong, along with hundreds of other students, stands in long lines spilling onto the road, waiting for bus 53 or 99 to Zone A.

The reason is that bus route 33 (An Suong Bus Station - VNU-HCM) has been shortened, with its last stop now at the Zone A dormitory instead of Zone B as before.

"Since bus 33 no longer passes through Zone B dormitory, everyone is crowding onto buses 53 or 99. These two buses were already overcrowded, and now with the extra passengers, it takes a very long time to get on board," Phuong said.

The 4 km journey from Zone B to Zone A dormitory is short, but walking it is tiring and time-consuming. Phuong and many of her friends, fearing being late for class, opt for ride-hailing services, accepting the 20,000-30,000 VND fare, but even then, finding a ride during rush hour is difficult. Meanwhile, a bus ticket costs only 3,000 VND.

"In the past two weeks, I've been late for class and missed roll call three times," Phuong said.

Students wait for buses at the VNU-HCM Zone B dormitory at 6 a.m. on 10/9. Photo: Kim Thanh

Thanh Tuan and Ngoc Thanh, students at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education, also live in Zone B of the VNU-HCM dormitory complex. According to Tuan, there's constant pushing and shoving whenever bus 53 or 99 arrives, with students squeezing into every available space, even crowding the driver.

"I usually have to wait for 4 or 5 buses, almost an hour, before I can get on," Tuan shared. "Many days I have to walk from Zone B to Zone A to catch a connecting bus."

Phuong Nhung, a second-year student at Ho Chi Minh City University of Agriculture and Forestry, also struggles with the bus commute. The distance from the Zone B dormitory to her university is less than 5 km. Previously, Nhung only needed to take bus 33, but now she has to take bus 53 or 99 to Zone A, and then transfer to bus 33 to get to her university.

"Having to wait 1-2 hours for a bus to get to class is tough. Mornings are manageable, but on afternoons with scorching sun, waiting while drenched in sweat is exhausting," Nhung said.

Having waited too long for a bus, students at the Zone B dormitory take ride-hailing services to university on 10/9. Photo: Nhu Ngoc

A representative from the VNU-HCM Dormitory Management Center said that Zone B alone houses over 25,000 students from various universities, including the University of Science, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, International University, University of Economics and Law, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education, and Ho Chi Minh City University of Agriculture and Forestry. Most of them commute by bus.

For universities within the VNU-HCM urban area, students usually take a bus from Zone B to Zone A, and then walk about 1-1.5 km. Those studying at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education have to take another bus from Zone A for about 5-7 km to reach their university. Meanwhile, students of Ho Chi Minh City University of Agriculture and Forestry and University of Economics and Law previously could travel directly from Zone B dormitory to their universities on bus 33.

Therefore, the dormitory representative assessed that the shortening of bus route 33 has created difficulties for students' commutes.

On 12/9, in response to VnExpress, a representative from Ho Chi Minh City’s Public Transport Management Center acknowledged the overcrowding at the Zone B dormitory bus stop since bus 33 stopped serving the area on 1/8. The reason given was to restructure the public transport network.

"The greatest need of Zone B students is to take a bus to Zone A and then walk to the universities within the VNU-HCM urban area," the representative noted. Therefore, as a temporary measure, the center has added bus number 8 to alleviate the pressure on buses 53 and 99, partially meeting the demand during peak hours (morning, noon).

The center is also considering a dedicated bus route that would travel directly from the dormitory to the universities within the VNU-HCM urban area. They expect to finalize the plan next week and seek input from relevant parties.

Students at Zone B dormitory jostle to board a bus to get to class on 10/9. Photo: Nhu Ngoc

Students at Zone B dormitory wait for a bus on 10/9. Photo: Nhu Ngoc

Students at Zone B dormitory wait for a bus on 10/9. Photo: Nhu Ngoc

The VNU-HCM dormitory complex, located on the border between the former Binh Duong province and Ho Chi Minh City, comprises 47 buildings covering an area of approximately 42 hectares, making it the largest in the country.

Room prices currently range from 230,000 to 1.9 million VND per month.

Le Nguyen