Free supermarkets help poor people survive COVID-19 pandemic in Ho Chi Minh City

Over 10 ‘zero dong mini supermarkets’ have been established across the city

Free supermarkets help poor people survive COVID-19 pandemic in Ho Chi Minh City
A woman browses for products at a ‘zero dong mini supermarket’ in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, July 11, 2021. Photo: N.Tri / Tuoi Tre

Over 10 charitable supermarkets have been established across Ho Chi Minh City to help poor residents overcome difficulties brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Named ‘zero dong mini supermarket,’ the model is part of the ‘Vong Tay Viet’ charitable program carried out by the municipal Department of Industry and Trade, the Business Association of High Quality Vietnamese Products, and Phu Nhuan Jewelry Joint Stock Company.

After the first supermarket of this kind was opened in Thu Duc City on June 27, more than 10 venues have been put into operation in several districts up to date.

A coupon worth VND200,000 ($8.7) for people to use at the ‘zero dong mini supermarkets’. Photo: N.Tri / Tuoi Tre

A coupon worth VND200,000 ($9) for people to use at the ‘zero dong mini supermarkets’ in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: N.Tri / Tuoi Tre

The program plans to give away approximately 16,000 coupons to about 8,000 poor residents so that they can buy products, mostly essential items such as eggs, milk, rice, cooking oil, and vegetables, at the supermarkets.

Each person is given two coupons, worth VND200,000 apiece.

A total of 5,500 coupons, worth VND300,000 ($13) each, will also be handed to university students in difficult circumstances in the city.

Essential products are brought to a ‘zero dong mini supermarket’ in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, July 11, 2021. Photo: N.Tri / Tuoi Tre

Essential products are brought to a ‘zero dong mini supermarket’ in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, July 11, 2021. Photo: N.Tri / Tuoi Tre

The organizing board is calling on benefactors to join them in the charitable program so they can help more people in the coming time.

Vietnam had documented 31,590 COVID-19 cases as of Monday afternoon, with 9,275 recoveries and 123 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health.

The country has recorded 28,086 local infections in 58 provinces and cities since a new outbreak began April 27.

Ho Chi Minh City is now the hardest-hit locality with 14,435 cases.

tuoitrenews.vn

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