NZ embassy opens zero-dong supermarket to help COVID-19-affected workers

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Ambassador Wendy Matthews talks with customer at zero-dong supermarket. Photo: New Zealand Embassy

The zero-dong supermarket, is a joint-initiative between the New Zealand Embassy in Vietnam, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) and the International Labour Organisation in Vietnam (ILO) and operated by the Trade Union of Thang Long Industrial Zone.

Each customer is allowed to choose a package of groceries worth around VND 200,000 (USD 8,59) for free. Items on the shelf included essential goods such as rice, eggs, cereals, vegetables, noodles, and protective products like face masks, and hand sanitiser.

“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 Thăng Long workers and their families."

2020 marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between New Zealand and Vietnam. In recent years their ties have developed strongly and steadily across diverse fields, from political aspects to trade, investment and education.

New Zealand is one of Vietnam’s most important trade partners, and the two nations established their comprehensive partnership in 2009, with bilateral trade reaching NZD 2.04 billion (USD 1.3 billion in 2019, representing a year-on-year rise of 13%.

New Zealand has carried an array of activities to support Vietnam in fields of its strength such as agriculture, e-government, education, and natural disaster prevention.

Ambassador Wendy Matthews talks with customer at zero-dong supermarket. Photo: New Zealand Embassy

From June 20, "New Zealand Fruits Week" is being celebrated in over 3000 Vinmart and VinMart+ supermarkets across Vietnam this week, showcasing high quality and tasty New Zealand apples, kiwi fruit and meat.

Ambassador Matthews noted: “New Zealand agricultural products have a well deserved global reputation for being safe, high quality, healthy and delicious”.

She added: “Vietnamese consumers are increasingly eating and enjoying fantastic New Zealand fruit, meat and dairy products, further boosting the vibrant trade cooperation between our two countries”./.

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