Market goers uses coupons with a QR code while entering the market in Da Nang City under a pilot programme. Photo Vov.vn

Each family will be given five coupons to use over the course of 15 days.

People can simply take a photo of the coupon, save it on their phone and present it to the guards when entering the market.

The move is convenient and has aided epidemiological investigations.

Initially, the coupons with QR codes were piloted at four markets in Hai Chau District - the city centre - including Dong Da, Han and Con markets and Hoa Cuong wholesale market since Monday.

In the past few days, the market management board has arranged more QR scanning points at the entrance gates of Hoa Cuong wholesale market.

In addition to a thermometer, officers at the market’s gates are equipped with smartphones to scan QR codes. Market-goers can present the coupons with the codes to guards to enter.

It takes about 25 seconds for each person to complete the process.

Nguyen Thi Minh Trang, a resident from Hai Chau District, said: “I find the use of QR codes when shopping at markets very convenient for people.

“In the past, I sometimes forgot to bring coupons while going to the market. The application of QR codes is convenient and economical, reducing contact between people and security guards in the market," she told the Voice of Vietnam radio.

"This was a very good initiative,” Trang said, adding that she expected the programme would be expanded to more markets.

Diep Hoang Thong Anh, head of Hoa Cuong Wholesale Market Management Board, said using the codes makes managing people entering and leaving the market easier.

"All local officers do is scan the code, if it turns green it means a successful check-in and people can enter the market. If it turns red it means that the person went to the market on the wrong day or should go to another market that day," Anh said.

The officers explain the situation to them and ask them to leave, he said.

“The initial application of the coupon with QR code has many advantages. It helps manage market access quickly, reducing congestion at checkpoints. The use of technology will control the time and number of visits to the market.

"The adding of QR codes to the coupons helps save cost for issuing coupons as well as human resources of localities,” Anh said.

Earlier, the city's Department of Industry and Trade has sent documents to agencies on the application of coupons with QR codes at Dong Da, Han, Con and Hoa Cuong markets. Wards are authorised to distribute coupons to households, students and labourers residing in Hai Chau I, Hai Chau II, Thanh Binh, Thuan Phuoc and Hoa Cuong Nam wards. The residents can go to the market every three days and the coupons can be reused.

People who don't reside in the five wards can use one-time coupons when entering the four market until further notice.

After getting support from local residents, the programme would be introduced at all markets citywide, said Nguyen Van Tru, deputy director of Da Nang Department of Industry and Trade.

On August 12 last year, Da Nang City for the first time applied the market coupon policy to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks in markets.

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