The shop, lasting for two days over the weekend, is a joint-initiative between the New Zealand Embassy in Vietnam, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor (VGCL) and the International Labor Organization in Vietnam (ILO).

Each customer who visits the zero-dong supermarket, operated by the Trade Union of Thang Long Industrial Zone, is allowed to choose a package of groceries worth around VND 200,000 for free. Items on the shelf included essential goods such as rice, eggs, cereals, vegetables, noodles, and protective products like face masks, and hand sanitizer.

leftcenterrightdel
Ambassador Wendy Matthews talks with customer at zero-dong supermarket.

This initiative, funded by the New Zealand embassy, aims to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 among 1,500 workers in Dong Anh district of Hanoi, whose jobs and incomes have been adversely impacted by COVID-19.

“This project demonstrates the strong partnership between New Zealand and Vietnam,” said Ambassador Wendy Matthews at the opening ceremony.

“This project is a practical initiative to help ease the economic impacts of COVID-19 on Thang Long workers and their families."

Vietnam and New Zealand are celebrating 45 years of diplomatic relations this year. Over that time New Zealand has worked closely with Vietnam to develop shared prosperity and stability, drawing on the best of New Zealand’s knowledge and skills.

Source: VNA