In a proposal to the city Department of Industry and Trade, VinCommerce, owner of the Vinmart/Vinmart + chains, said to ensure supply of essential goods during social distancing, each ward, commune and residential area should nominate an official for the task.

Customers can call the nearest store to order or do so on its website and complete payment.

The official can then collect the orders and send them to the store and help dispatch the purchases to customers.

Saigon Co.op, also planning a similar move, is working with district officials to increase the volume of consolidated orders.

"This is a quick solution that reduces staff workload and transmission risks," a spokesperson said.

GS 25 Vietnam has done so at its 100 outlets.

HCMC has recently reopened some traditional markets and distributed shopping tickets, but the number remains low while demand is rising, making it difficult for people to buy groceries.

HCMC is the epicenter of the latest Covid-19 wave with more than 100,000 cases.