Hanoi has opened a mini supermarket, named "Zero-VND mini supermarket - a Golden-heart Hanoi" to support needed people in the People's Committee of Duc Thang Ward, Bac Tu Liem District.

Via the local authority, households affected by the Covid-19 pandemic will receive a gift voucher worth VND400,000 (US$17.2) each. Each household is assigned a shopping time to ensure that there are not too many people at the place at the same time.

Customers stood two meters apart, filled in a health declaration form, and waited to shop with the support of the mini-market staff. "Take only what you need to give chance for others," read a sign in front of the supermarket.

The zero-VND mini supermarket is one of numerous meaningful activities to support workers and students who are facing difficulties amid the pandemic.

In the time ahead, the Organizing Committee is expected to pilot three more mini supermarkets, then replicate the model more widely with more than 20 stores across Hanoi with tens of thousands of gift vouchers delivered to the poor.

The mini supermarket sells more than 60 essential items, including sugar, milk, rice, eggs, cooking oil, fish sauce, soy sauce, instant noodles, fish, vegetables, fruits, among others.

All essential items at the mini supermarket have clear origins and are donated by organizations, businesses and individuals in and out of the ward.

With support from staff, a shopper collected rice, noodles, eggs, salt, and fish sauce. He said he is lucky to receive support from authorities and kind-hearted donors during the pandemic.

Holding a package of rice, sugar, eggs, and oil, the middle-aged woman could not hide her happiness: "With this amount of food, we can feed ourselves for a week. I hope things improve soon."

To void infection, a customer wears two layers of face masks and rubber gloves when shopping at the mini supermarket.

With the criterion "no one is left behind", clerks at the mini supermarket enthusiastically help shoppers, especially the elderly.