Here’s How You Can Help Saigonese In Need During COVID-19

When many out there are struggling to make ends meet during these socially-distanced days, having a roof over our head and a device to do online shopping on is perhaps truly a privilege. 

This article lists a few organizations that you can consider sharing a little love with during hard times.  

Emergency relief for people in difficulty

“Nụ Cười” 2,000 VND/meal joints 

Nụ Cười (Smile) joints serving meals costing only 2,000 VND each were established by Bông Sen (Lotus) Charity, a nationwide private fund authorized by the Ministry of Home Affairs. In the past weeks under Directives 15, 10 and 16, they have worked diligently to deliver affordable meals to the city’s homeless and laborers most stricken by the pandemic.

The fund is audited by Ernst & Young — one of the world’s “Big 4” accounting firms. Each Nụ Cười joint regularly updates donations received on their own Facebook page.

Nụ Cười joints currently in operation:

Branch 1

596 Tran Hung Dao B Street, Ward 5, D5

Branch 2

170 Tan Son Nhi Street, Tan Son Nhi Ward, Tan Phu District

Branch 6

11 Nguyen Huy Luong Street, Ward 14, Binh Thanh District

For monetary contributions

Account owner: Quy tu thien Bong Sen

Account number: 508388, ACB, Saigon branch

Phone number: 0906805838 (Mrs. Châu)

Campaign “Cơm Sài Gòn” 

The Cơm Sài Gòn (Rice Saigon) campaign cooks and provides free meals directly to those in need: homeless people and residents at quarantined areas. Each portion comes packed with rice, meat, eggs and vegetables.

This campaign is an initiative of the Joy Foundation, founded by Nguyen Sieu Hanh — a leader of the Obama Foundation in the Asia-Pacific region.

For non-cash contributions, here are addresses of soup kitchens that Cơm Sài Gòn is currently supporting

• 165 Le Hoang Phai Street, Ward 17, Go Vap District — Contact: 0915600502 (Ms. Vy)
• Block B2 Hoa Binh Apartment, Alley 666, 3/2 Street, Ward 14, D10 — Contact: 0938341780 (Mr. Trung)
• 48/17M Ho Bieu Chanh Street, Ward 11, Phu Nhuan District — Contact: 0916882551 (Ms. Phương)
• 243A/46/9 Hoang Dieu Street, Ward 8, D4 — Contact: 0966459988 (Ms. Phụng)
• 71 Nguyen Duc Thuan Street, Ward 13, Tan Binh District — Contact: 0984118912 (Mr. Fu)
• 66/8 Le Hong Phong Street, Ward 2, D5 — Contact: 0989991078 (Ms. Nhiên)

For monetary contributions

Account owner: Nguyen Sieu Hanh

Account number: 152758685, VPBank, HCMC branch

Momo/Phone number: 0987030387

One Egg A Day

One Egg A Day is taking donations to help Saigon’s poor and homeless population get through tough times.

The fund was established in 2017 by Dr. Khuat Thi Hai Oanh, founding member and executive director of Center for Supporting Community Development Initiatives (SCDI). It seeks to connect benefactors’ support to the destitute in society so that they can overcome crises, recover and thrive.

For non-cash contributions

One Egg A Day takes starches (rice, instant noodles), storables (soy sauce, salt, cooking oil, peanuts, dried fish, eggs), milk, sweets and dry provisions. They’re also putting out calls for masks, hand sanitizers and soap.

Contact: 0906987424

Address: SCDI Southern Office, 223 Le Niem Street, Phu Thanh Ward, Tan Phu District

For monetary contributions

Account owner: Khuat Thi Hai Oanh

Account number: 0021000392211, Vietcombank, Hanoi branch

Momo/ZaloPay: 0913570246

Paypal: ricarddominique@hotmail.com

From Saigon to Saigon

This project raises donations for low-income laborers living in rentals and are hard-hit by the pandemic, when the only way to curb the spread of the coronavirus is to stop people from going through their usual routine, even if it means they can’t go to work. 

Their support work is transparent on their Facebook page. If you have any leads on a family in need of help, shoot them a message.

For monetary contributions

Account owner: Nguyen Thi Cam Van

Account number: 20578417, ACB, HCMC branch

Project “Chuyến rau vui vẻ”

Chuyến rau vui vẻ (Happy veggie delivery) connects and transports fruits and vegetables to HCMC, Dong Nai and Binh Duong’s quarantined areas, as well as for the cities’ most vulnerable population.

The project is co-launched by the experienced teams at Earthworm Food Forests Regenerative and Saigon Eco Compass. Their current daily goal is to donate 10 to 20 tonnes of fruits and vegetables.

You can let them know about organizations in the area needing help by filling out this form, or introduce a volunteer.

For monetary contributions

Account owner: Ta Thuy Trang

Account number: 03804965569, TP Bank, Phu My Hung branch

Note: YourFullName_vanchuyen97

For non-cash contributions

Chuyến rau vui vẻ is collecting starches or organic produce from Saigon and nearby provinces. They’re also in need of delivery vehicles.

Contact: 0977000819 (Ms. Lam Hồng)

Zalo is also launching their campaign Sài Gòn bao dung (Generous Saigon), compiling a list of charities in the city filtered by location. You can check out this information on the ZaloPay app.

Support for workers and organizations impacted by COVID-19

Help Saigon’s dancers

Dance studio Arabesque Vietnam sets out to support dancers during the pandemic, a time when their income is greatly affected. Contact them if you know a dancer in need or are one yourself.

Contact: 0948791112 (Ms. Nhi)

Help preschool teachers

H.A.T (Help A Teacher) is a nonprofit initiative that raises funds and financial aid packages for private preschool staff affected by COVID-19, including teachers, nannies, guardians, custodians and security guards. For teachers, they also organize 1-1 support groups.

H.A.T has disbursed their first round of support in 2021 and recently paused registration for the second round to process existing applications. All earnings and expenses are communicated on Facebook on a weekly basis.

For monetary contributions

Account owner: Nguyen Thuy Uyen Phuong

Account number: 19020416473015, Techcombank, Phu My Hung branch

Note: YourName HAT

Help SOS Children’s Villages Vietnam

SOS Children’s Villages Vietnam is a charitable organization and part of the world’s largest non-governmental network supporting children without parents, as well as families at risk. While the costs of caring for this demographic are expanding during the pandemic, support from abroad is decreasing. 

For monetary contributions

Account owner: Lang tre em SOS Viet Nam

Account number: 12410004003067, BIDV, Hoan Kiem branch

Translated by Jennifer Nguyen