Business community expresses their social responsibility

To join hands with the government in fighting against COVID-19, Muong Thanh Group sponsors hotel rooms for all doctors, nurses, and other staff from Bach Mai Hospital, as well as donating 100 tonnes of rice.

Accordingly, from April 1, all staff working at Bach Mai Hospital can come to stay at the 4-star Muong Thanh Grand Xa La in Ha Dong district, Hanoi. On the evening of March 31, the hotel welcomed the first group of 250 doctors, nurses, and staff to stay in the hotel’s provisional quarantine centre. In addition to sponsoring accommodation, the hotel also provides food and drinks as well as other needed services for the healthcare workers. All activities are under the strict guidance of the Ministry of Health to ensure hygiene and safety.

Moreover, Muong Thanh also contributed 100 tonnes of rice to the Central Committee of The Vietnamese Fatherland Front to distribute to people in need. “Doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers are the heroes on the battlefield against the pandemic. They are facing serious and stressful dangers day by day. So it’s necessary to provide them convenient accommodation and facilities as well as special care to promote their health and spirit to fight against the coronavirus,” said Nguyen The Cuong, head of the COVID-19 prevention and combat board of Muong Thanh Group.

Haissam Chraiteh, general manager of Sanofi Indochina, said “We do understand the emergency of the novel coronavirus, which is getting more and more complicated across the world. Thus, we are paying great attention to this outbreak.” An internal committee has been formed and is working in order to take immediate actions to provide necessary support to employees and ensure Sanofi’s business continuity. They have also had frequent communication to their employees to provide updates on the current situation in Vietnam and advice on international travel as well as alternative ways for working during the current time.

“We will continue to pay close attention to the situation and decide whether to take further actions in alignment with the guidance of Vietnam’s Ministry of Health”, said Chraiteh.

Currently, at the regional and global level, Sanofi said to be proud of its contributions to the public health sector and is committed to leveraging its unique expertise in infectious diseases to help the world combat the coronavirus outbreak. At this moment, the company’s focus lies on sharing its expertise in infectious diseases with the global health community, guaranteeing the safety of employees by implementing measures in accordance with health authorities, and ensuring there is no discontinuation in the production and distribution of medicine.

Grab Vietnam has launched a support fund worth VND70 billion ($3 million) to assist drivers and delivery partners, as well as supporting the government’s initiatives during the tough times of the pandemic.

Accordingly, Grab provides insurance packages worth VND100 million ($4,350) each for selected drivers with good performance on its platform. Should those drivers test positive for COVID-19, the insurance package will not only cover their medical expenses but also grant them an allowance of VND10 million ($435) in cash. If drivers are quarantined, Grab will offer them a one-time payment of VND100,000 ($4.35) per day for 14 days maximum.

The company will also support restaurant chains and 500 merchant partners in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to mitigate the impacts of the health crisis. Grab will pay part of the rental fees of eligible merchant partners to maintain their operations during the pandemic.

Furthermore, Grab will donate VND2 billion ($87,000) to the local COVID-19 fund and also support volunteers at quarantine areas at the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City with food and rides. For consumers, Grab delivers for free for every order on GrabFood. All shipping expenses are paid from Grab’s pockets without affecting the earnings of drivers.

Nestlé Vietnam has distributed thousands of cartons of nutritional products valued at VND3 billion ($130,000) to heroic people fighting against the outbreak.

Thanks to the support of the Committee of the Fatherland Front of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi and the Vietnam Women’s Union, Nestlé Vietnam offered presents including food and drinks to doctors, nurses, police officers, soldiers, and other volunteers, who are all working hard in isolation areas across the country.

Nestlé Vietnam, in collaboration with authorities and organisations, delivered the products – including 3,640 cartons of Nestlé Milo, 2,500 cartons of Nestlé milk, 500 cartons of Nestea lemon tea, and 569 cartons of Nescafé, as well as many Maggi seasoning products – to dozens of cities and provinces across the country, contributing to the battle against the novel coronavirus and its devastating impact.

Nestlé Vietnam said, “We really appreciate the dedication, responsibility, and great sacrifices of those who are on the front lines against the epidemic. Through these practical activities, we would like to share those difficulties side by side and support the community. With unwavering determination and responsibility, we are confident of overcoming these challenges together.”

In response to the government’s directions and call for support, Panasonic Vietnam has donated 200 household electronic products directly to four hospitals in Hanoi, Danang, and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as 36,000 eco-friendly batteries with the help of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee. The total value of these products is estimated to be over VND2 billion ($87,000).

Founded on March 7, 1918 by Konosuke Matsushita, the Panasonic Corporation has since followed its founder’s management philosophy of contributing to society and creating a better life for everyone.

“As a leading enterprise in consumer electronics in Vietnam, one of our strategic markets in Asia, Panasonic has been constantly innovating and pioneering lifestyle updates, providing products and services that evolve with the individual end-user’s personal preferences to create a better life for Vietnamese consumers,” said Yoichi Marukawa, managing director of Panasonic Sales Vietnam.

Le Thanh Phuc, director of Danang Lung Disease Hospital said in his letter that “Panasonic Vietnam’s support has a deep humane meaning, and gave health workers a great encouragement as well as added motivation for the white-coated soldiers to cope with COVID-19.”

Managing director Marukawa also emphasised that “Panasonic Vietnam will continue to accompany the government and the people in disease prevention.”

Unilever Vietnam has announced its Stay Strong Vietnam initiative, a wide-ranging set of measures to support the country and the people in the fight against the ongoing coronavirus outbreak

Unilever Vietnam has announced its Stay Strong Vietnam initiative, a wide-ranging set of measures to support the country and the people in the fight against the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

The company has committed VND50 billion ($2.17 million) to partner with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education and Training to enact initiatives that will help people through product donations and education programmes cultivating habits of personal hygiene.

Since March, Unilever has set up mobile hand-washing booths in large cities to facilitate and encourage regular hand-washing with the target to reach around three million people.

Moreover, the company has pledged to deliver a total of 550 tonnes of goods to more than 1.6 million people in need, as well as 3,000 schools, hospitals, and quarantine areas.

These products include personal care and hygiene items from Lifebuoy, Clear, P/S, and Closeup; home cleaning and sanitation products from Vim, Cif, and Sunlight; and food from Knorr and Lipton.

“Part of Unilever’s vision is to create a positive social impact, including here in Vietnam, and it has never been more important for us to deliver on this commitment than now, when the pandemic is affecting lives in the country,” shared Nguyen Thi Bich Van, chairwoman of Unilever Vietnam.