A number of internationally-renowned media outlets have paid tribute to Vietnam for the nationwide launch of its rice ATM machines to provide free rice to those who have been negatively affected by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The story was picked up by broadcaster CNN of the United States on April 13 as they ran an article on their website which describes the initiative as “too good to be true”, noting how a number of such machines have been installed in cities across the country such as in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hue, and Da Nang to support local people hardest hit by the epidemic. 

On Twitter, US writer Marianne Williamson stated her belief that the initiative should be deployed throughout the US where tens of millions of people have been left out of work as a result of the economic impact of the COIVD-19.

Reuters of the UK ran a piece on April 13 which quoted Nguyen Thi Ly, 34-year-old mother of three, who stated that the rice ATMs have been invaluable to her family as one bag of rice is enough to feed her family for an entire day. 

Elsewhere, the website Red Fish has hailed the initiative, noting that the rice ATM machines are capable of feeding the poor amid the lockdown which has been implemented to slow the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic.