The Vietnamese government will distribute 100,000 Vietnamese dong (about 16 ringgit) in cash to each citizen to celebrate the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on September 2.
This initiative may cost up to 380 million US dollars, with distribution expected to be completed before National Day.
On the 28th, the Vietnamese government issued a statement saying that this unprecedented measure 'continues to demonstrate the deep care of the Party and State for all the people.'
According to the statement, the funds can be either transferred to individual bank accounts or collected in cash, and the State Bank of Vietnam as well as the Ministry of Finance have been instructed to complete the distribution process before National Day on September 2.
A Hanoi resident said: 'I was really surprised by this move from the government; at first, I thought it was a joke. I’ll use it to buy coffee...it can buy 3 cups.'
Vietnamese government data shows that last year, the average monthly wage of Vietnamese workers increased by 8.6%, reaching 7.7 million dong.
Vietnam will celebrate its 80th anniversary of independence on September 2. The capital, Hanoi, is preparing for the largest National Day parade in decades next week.