Nguyen Thu Giang, a freshman at Hanoi University of Industry, has just rented a room in Xuan Phuong ward, Nam Tu Liem district, for 2.6 million VND/month.

Closed room in a 2-storey house, roofed with corrugated iron, about 12m² wide, can accommodate 2 people, no air conditioning or hot and cold water.

Giang said that including electricity, water, sanitation and internet, the rent is about 3 million VND/month. Giang and her friend split it, each person gets 1.5 million VND/month.

"This is the cheapest price in this area. I asked around at many boarding houses and none were cheaper, except for a few damp, windowless row houses rented to construction workers," Giang said.

Ms. NTL, the owner of a boarding house in Xuan Phuong, said that the average room rental price in this area is from 3-4 million VND.

"A room of 3 million VND has air conditioning, but no hot water heater. A room of 3.5 million VND has air conditioning and hot water. Each room can accommodate 2 people, some rooms can accommodate 3 people, but it will be a bit cramped. This price does not include electricity, water, and wifi," said Ms. L.

There are rooms in this area that are fully furnished with beds, wardrobes, kitchen cabinets, etc. for around 5 million VND/month, but they are rarely rented by students, mostly by families.

Ms. L. also confirmed that there are no rooms for rent under 2 million VND/month for students in Nam Tu Liem.

In Cau Giay district, the rental price is higher than in Nam Tu Liem district because it is the center of major universities such as National University, Hanoi Pedagogical University, Academy of Journalism and Communication, University of Theater and Cinema, University of Commerce...

The student accommodation segment in this area is popular at 4-5.5 million VND/month, area from 30-35m², sharing 3-4 people.

In addition to room rates, the average service price is about 500,000 VND/person/month.

This amount includes electricity bill of 4,000 VND/unit, water bill of 150,000 VND/person, internet bill of 100,000 VND/person, laundry and hallway electricity bill of 200,000 VND/person.

On average, the cost of accommodation for each student is about 2 million VND/month.

For a single room, the common price is 2.1-2.3 million VND/month including electricity, water, cleaning, and internet. However, this type of room does not have a private kitchen but uses a shared kitchen and laundry area.

Nguyen Thi Thanh, a second-year student at Hanoi National University of Education, who lives in Hoang Quoc Viet, shared: "There is a newly built building for rent near where I live. The public price list is 1.5 million VND/room without windows, 2 million VND/room with windows.

Both rooms can only accommodate one person. The room has air conditioning, hot and cold water, and a shared kitchen. Including electricity and water, if used sparingly, it will cost no less than 2 million VND/month. It is difficult to rent a house in Cau Giay for less than this price."

2 million VND/month is also a common price in Dong Da and Thanh Xuan districts for a single room for 1 person.

With rooms for 2-4 people, the rental price is not less than 4.5 million VND/month.

The areas with the cheapest rental prices according to a survey by Dan Tri reporters are the areas around Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Hanoi University of Construction and National Economics University.

Mai Anh Tuan, a third-year student, rents a 15-square-meter room on Bach Mai Street for 2.3 million VND. In addition, the landlord charges 3,800 VND/kWh for electricity and 25,000 VND/person for water. The landlord has not increased the rent for 3 years.

Tuan lives with a friend, the monthly rent does not exceed 1.5 million VND/person. This student said this is a common price in this area.

Around Tran Dai Nghia, Truong Dinh, Bach Mai, Minh Khai areas, there are still many closed rental rooms without air conditioning or hot and cold water, priced at 1.5-1.7 million VND/month.

Rooms equipped with air conditioning and hot and cold water have many different prices: From 2.5 million VND to 3.5 million VND for a room for 2 people and from 4.5 million VND to 5.5 million VND for a room for 4 people, with wardrobes and kitchen cabinets like a mini apartment.

Ms. Phan Thanh Huyen, whose child has just been admitted to the University of Science and Technology, is looking for a 45m² apartment on Tran Dai Nghia Street, with a rent of 5 million VND/month, for a maximum of 4-5 people.

Her child lives with 2 friends. The monthly cost is about 2 million VND/person.

In addition, Pho Vong and Dai La areas have rooms designed like miniature dormitories.

Each room has 2-3 bunk beds, can accommodate 4-6 people, fully equipped with air conditioning, hot and cold water, kitchen, washing machine. The rental price is calculated as a package per person at 1.7-1.8 million VND/month.

Students renting a room will not have to worry about finding a roommate, the landlord will arrange for them to fill the room.

Hoang Anh Tu, a new student at the National Economics University, said: "This type of accommodation is convenient because the price is affordable and I don't have to worry about finding a roommate. Whether the room has enough space or has extra space, I only have to pay a lump sum of 1.7 million VND/month.

However, I think it would be complicated for girls to be with strangers."

Tu added that he estimates that he will spend 3 million VND per month on accommodation, food, and living expenses. Combined with tuition fees, the amount of money that his parents have to provide each month for a new student at the National Economics University is 5 million VND.

"I feel lucky to be admitted to a school with low tuition fees. For my friends studying at Foreign Trade University or National University, I estimate that each month they will need 7-8 million VND because the tuition fee alone is 4-5 million VND.

This amount of money is only enough for eating, living frugally, cooking for yourself, and bringing food from the countryside. If you like to snack or go to cafes, or if you are a girl who needs skin care cosmetics, 9 million VND/month is enough."