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Many expats said they were surprised as they got food rations and other essentials delivered right to their door by military personnel.

Matthew Keenan gets food rations from local police. Photo: Vietnam Times

Vietnam is a caring country, nobody is left behind

Pedr Finn, an Australian living in Da Nang, expressed his gratitude to the Vietnamese government and people.

“I’ve been an expat in this beautiful country for quite a long time but I’m still amazed by the optimism, thoughtfulness and sincerity of the people here,” Finn told Vietnam Times.

“The authorities of Nai Hien Dong ward visited and handed me presents, which contain both personal and spiritual values," said Finn in an email. "They did not hesitate to visit me even though my neighborhood was medically isolated. Vietnam is truly a country of thoughtfulness and compassion. When the whole nation joins hands to fight the pandemic, expats like us are not left behind. We still get a helping hand."

Finn is grateful for the assistance during this trying time. "Again, I’m sincerely thankful for Vietnam - my second home country. I feel very lucky to stay here,” Finn writes.

The Australian national expresses his gratitude to the Vietnamese Government for the support. Photo: Vietnam Times

Meanwhile, Matthew Keenan, an expat in Da Nang, said “Restaurants have been shut for days. Police distribute rice, eggs, fruits and vegetable to each people, including foreigners during the social distancing. My American friend also had food delivered to his home. Thank you Da Nang police for the goodwill.

On September 3, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in Hanoi and Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations presented 72 gift packages, including daily necessities and medical supplies for 72 foreigners living in Hoan Kiem and Tay Ho district affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I’m very surprised I get such a warm and generous gift from the Vietnamese government. The Covid-19 pandemic has been a struggle for many people, including language teachers like me,” a British national told Vietnam Times. “Not being able to reunite with family in the UK is sad, but I’m lucky to have Vietnam as my second home country and Vietnamese people as my second family.”

5 hotlines for foreigners in Vietnam

With the wish to “leave no one behind during the pandemic”, Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations has worked with embassies, foreign NGOs, districts to find all foreigners in Hanoi affected by the pandemic, according to Tran Thi Phuong – vice chairman of the union.

The union has also received a list of needy 270 foreigners and sent documents to the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in Hanoi to propose for support.

Photo: Vietnam Times

There are 4,851 foreigners living and working in the central city of Da Nang. Most of them concentrate in Son Tra and Ngu Hanh Son district.

On September 2, Huynh Duc Truong, director of the Department of Foreign Affairs, said the city’s hotline gets around 180 calls, emails and messages asking for support from foreigners.

They mainly make recommendations on issues such as support to buy food, necessities, medicine; how to travel to Covid testing and vaccination sites, advice on visa extension procedures.

After receiving requests, the department immediately coordinate with local authorities to verify the information and bring food and other necessities to their homes; as well as provide necessary support such as transportation and registration for vaccination.

Photo: Vietnam Times

Vietnam recorded 9,521 domestic Covid-19 cases from 5 pm on September 3 to 5 pm on September 4, down 5,373 infections against the previous day, according to the Ministry of Health.

Ho Chi Minh City remained the largest hotspot with 4,104 cases, followed by Binh Duong province with 2,485, Dong Nai 992, Long An 544, Tien Giang 148, Tay Ninh 137, Kien Giang 125, Dong Thap 120, and Quang Binh 110. The capital city of Hanoi logged 52 cases.

On the day, 11,848 patients have recovered from Covid-19, raising the total number of recoveries to 282,516.

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