More than 9,000 volunteers, 58,000 cheap rooms, 31,000 free bus tickets, 76,000 maps and 18,000 free rations are ready for university examinees and their relatives.

The programme is implemented in nine provinces and cities, namely Hanoi, Thai Nguyen, Nghe An, Thua Thien-Hue, Da Nang, Binh Dinh, Dak Lak, Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho City.

The programme, launched since 2002, is a social activity aimed at helping poor or rural students with transportation, accommodation and food while they take part in their university entrance exams. This year, there will be a number of new activities, including information technology in consultancy, setting up groups to find rooms for examinees, and providing consultancy on the Internet.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, student Nguyen Lan Anh from the Institute of Finance said every one involved would do their best to help university examinees.

In Ho Chi Minh City, a similar ceremony was held last week.