The 24/7 automatic dispensing machines were invented by a Vietnamese entrepreneur in Ho Chi Minh City to provide free rice for people out of work following an ongoing nationwide social distancing order to curb the spread of the pandemic, Reuters reported on April 13.
It quoted a Vietnamese woman whose husband was among those to lose their jobs as saying the rice ATMs have been helpful.
On the same day, CNN ran a story reporting businessmen and donors who have set up machines that dispense free rice for people whose incomes have been suddenly cut off in several cities across the country.
In Hanoi, rice contained in a large water tank dispenses into residents’ bags from 8am to 5pm, it quoted Vietnam News Agency as saying.
Those waiting in line are required to stand 2 metres apart and they must use hand sanitiser before receiving their rice, it said.
Similar “rice ATMs” have been set up in other big cities like Hanoi, Hue and Da Nang.
CNN also reported that Vietnam has more than 260 COVID-19 cases and zero deaths, numbers that are significantly lower than the rest of the world./.
