After the Vietnamese government started a nationwide social distancing campaign to stop the spread of the coronavirus, many people lost their jobs and are struggling to pay for food.
In order to lend a helping hand to those in need, entrepreneur Hoang Tuan Anh has created an idea call Rice ATMs. His idea has received a lot of support from the community. Since then, these special ATMs have popped up all over Vietnam.
Hoang’s rice machine has inspired many similar initiatives nationwide to support underprivileged people during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nguyen Manh Hung, director of Thai Ha Books company, has sponsored the installation of a rice machine in Ha Noi:
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| People in Ha Noi also donated to the “Rice ATM" in Cau Giay district to help those who are suffered from COVID-19 pandemic. |
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| On April 11, the first rice ATM of Thai Ha Books was launched in Nghia Tan ward, Cau Giay district. |
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| People lining up to get free rice are required to keep a minimum distance of two meters from each other in the queue. |
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| Clear instructions for how to operate free rice ATMs are provided. “People should wait until the button turns green, then push it to collect rice.” |
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| Volunteers show a woman how to push the lever on the ground which prompts the rice ATM to fill up her bag. People are required to wear face masks and bring their own bags to avoid dumping plastic waste. Those who don’t bring bags will be given paper bags. |
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| Each person is given 3kg of rice per visit. |
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