New Zealand’s top fresh produce exporters to Vietnam have sent more than ten metric tons of apples and kiwi fruits to eight hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City to support the fight against COVID-19 in Vietnam's business hub.

Over 58,850 fresh New Zealand apples and 1,100 gold kiwi fruits have arrived at eight hospitals and medical centers in the southern city, providing patients and medical staff with the necessary relief to tide over the latest coronavirus wave, the New Zealand Embassy said on Tuesday.

The donations were made by Bostock Group, Freshmax Exports, Golden Bay Fruit, Scales Corporation, T&G Global, and Zespri International to show appreciation toward health workers’ hard work and provide a small amount of relief for patients, said New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam Tredene Dobson.

“The New Zealand Embassy is pleased to show our support to Vietnam by assisting New Zealand exporters who, with current travel restrictions, are not able to travel to Vietnam, but still want to contribute where they can by donating the highest quality fresh apples to the local communities they work with,” Ambassador Dobson continued.

“These are very difficult times but through small gestures like this we can show the profound friendship between our two countries.”

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) Trade Commissioner and Consul General to Vietnam Joe Nelson said the NZTE is pleased to partner with the firms to help facilitate the donations. 

“It’s been an honor to partner with New Zealand companies for such an important cause," Nelson remarked.

"Vietnam is an important export destination for many of our companies but more than that, we have a strong personal relationship with a number of our Vietnamese partners and we want to do whatever we can to help.”

The eight hospitals and medical centers received the New Zealand fruit boxes through a partnership with the Song Foundation, a Ho Chi Minh City-based non-for-profit organization.

They included Binh Chanh Hospital, Thu Duc City Hospital, Cu Chi Hospital, University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Thanh District Medical Center, Tan Binh District Medical Center, Cho Ray Hospital, and Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!