The capital city plans to install 1,000 vending machines by 2020 to make shopping more convenient for local consumers as well as foreign tourists.

The machines will be located mostly at hospitals, schools, bus stations, depots, passenger waiting rooms, historic and cultural sites, tourist attractions and parks, according to a decision on developing an automated vending machine network, issued recently by the municipal People’s Committee.

Each machine will be placed on an area covering around two to three square metres. Depending on demand, up to four adjacent vending machines could be placed on one slot, according to the decision.

Local authorities said they planned to choose machines that can adapt to the local climate, use solar power, and have surge protectors and security devices.

Last September, Ha Noi installed some vending machines serving bottled beverages on walking streets around Hoan Kiem Lake. Both residents and visitors said they liked the machines and the method of selling.

Seven drink vending machines, each of which sells 300 products and is located on an area of one square metre, are available around the lake.

Nguyen Thi Thu, a 25-year-old Hanoian, said the city should install more vending machines, especially around crowded areas such as bus stations, train stations, schools, hospitals and industrial zones.

Buying a water bottle from a vending machine is more convenient than searching for a grocery, she said, adding that consumers also do not have to worry about street vendors overcharging them. — VNS