The Tuan Trang pharmacy at Van La market in Ha Dong, gives away 1,000 free medical masks every day. Pham Dinh Cong, a fast-food delivery driver, said that the price of masks has been increasing rapidly, so every free mask is greatly appreciated. 

“The epidemic is frightening because it is spreading very fast. Handing out free masks at a public place like this is a humane action which helps people protect their health.” Cong said.  

A pharmacy hands out free masks (Photo: giaoducthoidai.vn)

Pham Thi Phuong Lan is the owner of the Tuan Trang pharmacy. As a pharmacist, Lan understands the value of using medical masks and hand satinisers to protect one’s health and prevent the spread of coronavirus in the community. 

“My friends and I buy the masks and give them to people who need them. Another 300 boxes of medical masks will be given to people. As the epidemic spreads, we want to do what we can to help the community. It’s not much, but I hope through this action we can share our love for others.” Lan said. 

Police give free  masks to people at intersection Ton Duc Thang st - Nguyen Luong Bang st - Xa Dan st - O Cho Dua st, Dong Da district (Photo: atgt.vn)

The number of free masks sites is growing in Hanoi. Free masks are available at 70 Thai Ha, Dong Da district, 66 Chua Lang, Dong Da district, 226 Ba Trieu, Hai Ba Trung district, and many other places. Ms. Bui Niem works at Pizza Home at 168 Trung Kinh street. She says she will give away free masks until the end of the epidemic. “Pizza Home has been giving free masks since the 5th day of the Lunar New Year to anyone who needs one. Anyone who comes by can get a free mask.  I think this will help combat this dangerous virus.”

Ms. Tran Phuong Anh of the Authentic Company at 66 Chua Lang street, has been giving away free masks since the start of the outbreak. “The more we give, the more we receive. I think this is a useful act. At first, few people knew about it, but in the past few days, more people have been coming to get masks. I hope even more people will start coming.”

Visitors receive free masks when attending a Ha Noi City Tour by double decker bus (Photo: Zing.vn)

In big cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Quang Ninh, Ninh Binh, Ha Tinh, and Nghe An, some pharmacies are offering free masks to anyone who comes to buy medicine. They give instructions on how to use the masks properly and suggest things people can do at home to protect themselves from the virus.