The Vietnamese electricity industry is on course to implement discounts on electricity prices in a active response to the national government’s urgent appeal for more support for nationwide residents amid financially challenging times triggered by COVID-19. Also in a supportive move, telecommunications businesses plan to reduce their service charges.

Telecommunications businesses are deploying to reduce service charges to support citizens nationwide financially affected by the ongoing COVID-19 wave. Viettel Da Nang technical staffer is seen installing equipment at the Da Nang field hospital, in Lien Chieu District. (Photo courtesy of Viettel Da Nang)

Many objects enjoy discounts on electricity charges

Reductions in electricity prices from June to the end of this year with the aim of supporting 3,450 customers in Central Viet Nam to overcome difficulties triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic are estimated to hit a total of VND352 billion, recently said Da Nang-based Central Power Corporation (EVNCPC).

The reductions are being applied in seven months, for power bills from June to December this year.

In detail, designated quarantine facilities, and venues for the medical examination of COVID-19 confirmed or suspected patients are allowed to enjoy free electricity.

As for medical facilities for COVID-19 examination, test and treatment, electricity bills are entitled to a 20% discount.

Serviced accommodation facilities benefit from the same electricity prices as manufacturers.

This is the third time that EVNCPC has cut the electricity prices since COVID-19 broke out early last year. EVNCPC’s support came after the national government had issued Resolution No 55/NQ-CP to reduce electricity prices in response to the Viet Nam Electricity (EVN)’s proposal to support those heavily affected by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, including hotels as well as medical and quarantine centres.

In June, the first month of electricity price reduction, EVNCPC reduced more than VND 34 billion for 3,288 customers in 13 provinces and cities in the Central Viet Nam and Central Highlands regions

In the peak season of hot weather, with an average electricity consumption of 500-600kWh/month, Tran Hoang Hai's family in Phan Thanh Street, Hai Chau District has to pay from VND1.5million - VND1.7 million worth of the monthly electricity bill. According to the current electricity bill reduction scheme, his family is eligible for a 10% discount which is applied to customers with an electricity usage capacity of over 200kWh/month, equivalent to a reduction of VND150,000-170,000. /month. Such an amount helps him pay other expenses such as monthly garbage collection and water supply bills.

Currently, local residents’ demand for electricity is very large due to the scorching heat. A female resident in Hoa Khanh Bac Ward, Lien Chieu District is seen using an air conditioner. Photo: X.D

Reducing telecommunications charges and tap water prices for residents

According to Mr. Huynh Ngoc Thuong, the Director of Viettel Da Nang, Viettel will increase bandwidth and reduce data charges in tandem with the release of some special incentives for residents in localities where the social distancing rules are in place according to Directive No. 16/CT-TTg dated March 31, 2020.

Viettel Da Nang will donate 500 sims with a capacity of 5GB/month/sim and lasting for 3 monthsfor access to the Internet to those who have returned from the coronavirus hit localities in Southern Viet Nam and currently under quarantine at concentrated facilities.

Nguyen Nho Tuy, Deputy Director of VNPT Da Nang cum Director of VNPT Vinaphone Da Nang Business Centre, said that, in response to the Prime Minister's appeal for support for citizens nationwide financially affected by the ongoing COVID-19 wave, VNPT Group is on track to reduce service fees for its customers, especially those in provinces and cities that are subject to social distancing mandates.

Accordingly, each VinaPhone subscriber who lives in a Vietnamese locality in which social distancing is in effect under the National Government Directive No. 16/CT-TTg have 50 minutes of on-net calls every day free of charge.

For customers nationwide, VNPT offers an additional 50%-data-capacity package with unchanged price.

Beside, there is a 50% discount on VX3 and VX7 packages with the charge of VX3 reducing from VND 20,000 to VND10,000 and that of VX7 going down from VND 35,000 to VND 20,000.

Each time a VX3/VX7 service plan is successfully extended or registered, VND5,000 is given to the National COVID-19 Vaccine Fund.

Amid the complicated development of COVID-19 VinaPhone pre-paid subscribers will still be allowed to make outbound calls whilst post-paid subscribers are permitted to receive inbound calls in case they fail to pay their fees on time.

Also, VNPT will maintain supportive moves that are being implemented such as doubling the bandwidth for all fiber-optic internet packages with the prices unchanged. Free high-speed access to all the formal information portals of the Vietnamese Ministry of Health and the Bluezone app will be ensured.

Reporting by KHANH HOA, MAI QUE – Translating by A.T