Time bandits deadliest catch

The Hanoitimes - Many needy people said they felt touched when receiving the aid from Hanoi's government, because this is timely attention. Districts in Hanoi have disbursed more than VND3,500 billion (US$149 million) to support people hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, Kinhtedothi.vn reported. Earlier, on April 29, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Ngo Van Quy signed a decision to disburse a part of the money to support people in need, including revolutionary contributors, social assistance beneficiaries and poor people. People in Yen Nghia ward, Ha Dong district receive governmental aid. Photo: Kinhtedothi.vn In this period, the aid is estimated to benefit about 414,000 people with a total budget of over VND505.6 billion (US$21.7 million). Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Hong Dan said as of May 3, many districts had given out the money to the right people. By May 4 afternoon, Hanoi has basically completed delivering the support. Head of Division of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs of Cau Giay district Nguyen Quang Hong said that the disbursement has been carried out with transparency and timeliness to support 3,310 people in the district with a total budget of nearly VND5 billion (US$213,004). Many needy people said they felt touched when receiving the aid from Hanoi's government, because this is timely attention. “During the social distancing period due to Covid-19, my son-in-law and my daughter lost their jobs, and we have two children to support, thus, life has been very hard. I'm very touched since this assistance comes at the right moment,” said Truong Do Chuyen, a veteran. On April 24, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc signed a decision to roll out a relief package worth VND62 trillion (US$2.7 billion) to support vulnerable people directly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The package covers six beneficiary groups who would receive financial support in cash …

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The Hanoitimes - Many benefactors are giving free meals, face masks and essential items to alleviate the hardships of the destitute in Hanoi city every day during Covid-19 pandemic time. Times of crisis can often bring out the best in people. The Covid-19 evolution remains unpredictable in Hanoi, thus deeds of many kindhearted Hanoians’ have been of great encouragement for the poor’ hearts in the capital city to overcome the pandemic time. The shining examples not only show kindness of Vietnamese people amid the pandemic, but also surprise a lot of foreigners in Vietnam and in the world. Donation of food and essential items Many benefactors are giving free meals, face masks and essential items to alleviate the hardships of the destitute people in Hanoi city every day during Covid-19 pandemic time. The Hanoi city government has urged shops that sell non-essential goods and provide services to temporarily shut down to prevent Covid-19 from spreading. Although people agreed with the authority move, it has also made life of the poor more difficult, leaving some with no means to earn a living from. Therefore, kindhearted Hanoians have provided food for free to the destitute who have been left with no livelihoods due to the nationwide business shutdown to prevent the pandemic, working under the motto “Take one if you are in hardship. But if you are well, leave it for others" (XQ group). XQ group prepares donations for the poor at a point near the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion. Photo: Ngan Nguyen Another charity program has been underway in the capital city is “Sharing food every day, together overcoming Covid-19" - “You need it, you take it” to provide free meals to the destitute people. "The enthusiastic support of the community surprises me. Many join my campaign quietly. The pandemic reveals many people in dire situation and need special attention from the community," said Nguyen Phan …

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HCMC Transport Department proposes stopping bus advertising The Saigon Times Buses on a street in HCMC display advertisements. The HCMC Department of Transport has proposed stopping bus advertising - PHOTO: VNA HCMC - The HCMC Department of Transport has proposed that the city stop bus advertising due to low demand. Since 2017, only one business won the bid for the right to advertise on buses in the city. The three-year package worth VND162 billion has just expired. All other tenders for bus advertising in the city failed to attract businesses although the Transport Department has lowered the charges, relaxed the requirements and offered flexible payment options. According to the head of an advertising company, the demand for outdoor advertising, including bus advertising, in the city was high 10 years ago, but has dropped drastically as clients are switching to online advertising. Besides this, many buses in HCMC have become old and worn out, while the prices of bus advertising are higher than that of online advertising. Moreover, the HCMC Transport Department said the Covid-19 pandemic has severely affected the operations of the city’s bus system. HCMC now has over 2,300 buses running on 137 routes. The city spends more than VND1 trillion to subsidize its bus system every year. If businesses advertised on all of the buses, the city would earn more than VND100 billion from bus advertising annually. …

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