Indonesia will open thousands of kitchens nationwide next year as the incoming government led by President-elect Prabowo Subianto kicks off his multi-billion dollar free meals programme.

Close to 1 million free meals worth 15 billion VND (653,274 USD) have so far been offered to disadvantaged people who are affected by COVID-19 across 28 provinces and cities nationwide since April.

Free meals have been delivered to the needy in Hanoi as part of a programme launched by the Vietnam Volunteer Centre under the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU) Central Committee, the Vietnam Youth Federation of Hanoi, artists and donors in the city.

Some 100 free meals are being offered each day at the Peace Shop at 20 Thuy Khue Street in Hanoi’s Tay Ho district to help those in need overcome the tough time triggered by COVID-19.

The central city of Da Nang has taken various measures to support the vulnerable amid the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic.

German and European media have reported high appreciation for Vietnam's donation of face masks to European countries to help them fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

A group of Hanoi expats is giving something back to the city they now call home.