Rice ATM opens in Hanoi

A new rice ATM was installed in Hanoi Monday to provide free rice to those having diffiulties during the Covid-19 outbreak, according to the online newspaper Thanh Nien.

Under the slogan “Spreading love – Leaving no one behind,” the local government and donors have set up the large rice container in Bac Tu Liem community center on Vo Quy Huan street in Phuc Dien District to help those suddenly out of work and without income.

Residents can visit the dispenser from April 14 to 30, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to receive a maximum of 3 kg of rice.

The rice can be obtained by simply pressing a button, and is dispensed within 3 minutes.

Social distancing is enforced around the machine, and those standing in line must keep 2 meters apart from each other, use hand sanitizer and register their name before receiving their rice.

The ATM has already attracted many nearby residents. “As our house has run out of rice for the last few days, I was going to borrow some. So, when I first heard about this [rice ATM], I came immediately, hoping to survive through the next days,” said Tran Thi Hong, a Bac Tu Liem resident.

A rice ATM first appeared in Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh city last month, which has since inspired other cities in Vietnam to do the same. Hue has already introduced a similar machine in one of the city’s colleges, and Da Nang is reported to open two next week.