HCMC – The New Zealand Embassy in Vietnam funded a zero-dong supermarket at the Thang Long Industrial Park in Dong Anh District, Hanoi, for two days over the weekend, in cooperation with the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor and the International Labor Organization to assist workers who have been financially affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This project demonstrates the strong partnership between New Zealand and Vietnam. It is a small but practical step to help ease the economic impacts of Covid-19 on the Thang Long workers and their families,” said Wendy Matthews, Ambassador of New Zealand to Vietnam, at the opening ceremony.
Each customer who visited the zero-dong supermarket, operated by the Trade Union of Thang Long Industrial Park, was able to choose a package of groceries worth some VND200,000 for zero dong. Items on the shelf included rice, cooking oil, eggs, vegetables, noodles, facemasks and hand sanitizers. The zero-dong supermarket benefited some 1,500 workers at the industrial park.
New Zealand and Vietnam are celebrating 45 years of diplomatic relations this year. New Zealand is one of Vietnam’s most important trade partners, with bilateral trade in 2019 estimated at US$1.3 billion. The two countries established their comprehensive partnership in 2009.
The New Zealand Business Association is also organizing the “New Zealand Fruits Week” in over 3000 Vinmart and VinMart+ supermarkets across Vietnam until June 28, showcasing high quality and tasty New Zealand apples, kiwis and meats.
Ambassador Matthews said, “New Zealand’s agricultural products have a well deserved global reputation for being safe, of high quality, healthy and delicious. An increasing number of Vietnamese consumers are eating and enjoying fantastic fruits, meats and dairy products from New Zealand, further boosting the vibrant trade cooperation between our two countries.”
