A so-called Rice ATM is operating within the pedestrianised area of Tran Hung Dao Street, in the eastern side of the Han River Swing Bridge, Son Tra District, Da Nang.

Despite the wet weather on Friday morning, a large number of people lining up two meter apart on Tran Hung Dao Street to use the rice dispenser

The Da Nang Young Entrepreneurs' Association is partnering with the municipal Youth Federation and the Hai Chau District authorities to set up rice dispensers in the city as a way to support the needy and those without income citywide during the coronavirus pandemic.

The similar machine has already set up in the front of the Binh Thuan Ward Cultural House located at 230 Trung Nu Vuong Street, Hai Chau District and it will begin operations on 25 April.

These machines will run within 1 month and operate from 7.30am - 11.30am, and from 1.30pm - 5.30pm daily, except Sundays. A rice ATM provides 2 kilograms of free rice for those in need.

A rice dispenser has been already set up in the front of the Binh Thuan Ward Cultural House located at 230 Trung Nu Vuong Street, Hai Chau District

During one-month period, a ‘zero-VND Happy supermarket’ will open on Tuesdays and Saturdays at Binh Thuan Ward’s Cultural House.

The store aims to supply those affected by Covid-19 with essential goods, such as eggs, cooking oil, soy sauce, fish sauce ... Each customer, who visits Happy Supermarket, is allowed to choose and buy 3 out of 10 products on supermarket shelves for zero dong after receiving free rice from the rice dispenser.

By MAI QUE - Translated by MAI DUNG