Mac Anh Thu reveals that her annual living expenses in Finland amount to one billion VND.
Former model Mac Anh Thu completed her bachelor's degree in Finland after 30 months and shared details about the cost of living and the challenges of settling in Northern Europe.
After nearly three years of studying abroad, former model Mac Anh Thu officially graduated with a degree in Business Administration from Turku University of Applied Sciences in mid-June. On this occasion, she revealed for the first time the living and study expenses for her and her daughter in the country known as the happiest in the world.
Details of the annual expenditure of one billion VND.
Mac Anh Thu stated that the total annual cost for her and her 14-year-old daughter, Ngoc Uyen, ranges from 30,000 to 40,000 euros, equivalent to approximately one billion Vietnamese dong. These expenses include tuition fees, rent, living costs, and trips back to Vietnam to visit family. Notably, her daughter benefits from tuition fee reductions as stipulated by the host country.
Despite not facing significant financial pressure, the former model still chooses a minimalist lifestyle. She and her daughter rent a small apartment near the school, cook their own meals, and limit shopping and eating out. In Finland, she prioritizes using bicycles and public transport for daily commuting to save money and maintain her health.
Language barriers and challenges when settling down.
Although a bachelor's degree program typically takes three years, Mac Anh Thu managed to complete it in just 30 months. However, she admits she lacks the confidence to apply for a full-time job due to her Finnish language proficiency not meeting the requirements of local employers.
In her experience, language is a crucial factor for integration and finding career opportunities. Besides that, Vietnamese immigrants also face cultural differences, harsh winter climates, and culinary barriers.
Reference table for the cost of living in Finland
Below are some reference figures for basic expenses for a small family in the Helsinki area and surrounding cities:
| Cost category | Estimated price (Euro/month) | Conversion rate (VND/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent a one-bedroom apartment | 1,000 - 1,300 | 30.5 - 39.6 million |
| Food and Drink (Home-cooked meals) | 400 - 500 | 12.2 - 15.2 million |
| Public transport tickets | ~70 | 2.1 million |
| Bachelor's degree tuition fees (varies by university) | 800 - 900 | 24.5 - 27.5 million |
For parents considering sending their children to study abroad, Ms. Le Thu (from Hanoi) – a Vietnamese woman currently living in Helsinki – notes that basic primary and secondary education here is free. This significantly reduces the financial burden for families with young children accompanying their parents on student visas.
Mac Anh Thu, born in 1986, was the first runner-up in the Miss Hau Giang 2007 pageant. After divorcing actor Huy Khanh in mid-2024, she and her daughter moved to Finland to start a new life and maintain a respectful relationship with her ex-husband to co-parent their child.