Celebs become online sales reps to aid Covid plight

On June 26, Saigon-based model Ha Anh sent VND85 million ($3,689) she earned from selling her books, clothes, and cosmetic products to a charitable organization in the city. According to the model, each person who is in need will receive VND300,000 and information about locations where they can have free meals.

"I’m worried since the city being 'closed' means vendors and lottery sellers cannot earn money. Poor people do not have savings to overcome these difficult days," she said.

HCMC was in a social distancing period from May 31 to June 29 with certain restrictions. Amid the pandemic resurgence, the city has to keep coronavirus restrictions.

The model is among a host of Vietnamese celebrities who have given a helping hand to poor people and those severely hit by the Covid-19 outbreak in the country by selling a variety of products online.

Model Truc Diem donated VND35 million to the Covid-19 vaccination fund, while fashion designers like Le Thanh Hoa, Do Long, Le Ngoc lam, Vu Ngoc & Son have joined the "Selling old clothes - Supporting Covid-19 vaccine fund" set up by the "Suoi Mat Tu Tam" organization, a newly-founded charity.

"Hope" T-shirt designed and made by Suong Nguyen. Photo courtesy of Suong Nguyen.

Designer Le Thanh Hoa sold 14 outfits he made for the "Thien Than Ho Menh" (Guardian Angels) movie, with prices ranging from VND1 - 2 million a piece.

"It is not a big amount of money, but my business has faced some difficulties, I just want to contribute to the community," he said.

Le Ngoc Lam and Do Long have also sold many of their creations from old collections to contribute to the vaccine fund.

Some others have designed new outfits to raise money. The duo Vu Ngoc & Son made 100 shirts named "A Better Day", sold for VND680,000 each. Suong Nguyen, having designed "Hope" T-shirts for VND399,000 each, said she used VND23,000 from each sold item to support those living in Covid hotspots.

"By designing these products, I can do charitable work and create jobs amid the pandemic," the fashion designers commented.

Comedian Xuan Bac sells lychees in a live-streamed video. Photo courtesy of Xuan Bac.

Worrying local farmers would face challenges when selling their products amid the pandemic resurgence, many artists have posted live-streamed videos to sell lychees and cantaloupes on their Facebook pages, attracting thousands of patrons.

Hanoi-based comedian Xuan Bac, wearing farm clothes, had 5,000 orders of lychees after his live-streamed video aired in early June. Actress Ha Huong later also lent a helping hand to support farmers in northern Bac Giang Province by selling their summer specialty: lychees.

Singer Thai Thuy Linh sold hundreds of kilograms of cantaloupes from Bac Giang in a live-streamed video too.

According to Bac, many farmers are facing hurdles in selling their products, severely affecting their lives and incomes, so he just wants to help them sell more amid the pandemic.

Vietnam has recorded 13,493 local Covid-19 cases in 50 of its 63 cities and provinces since the new wave started on April 27.