(VOVworld) - A: We’re so excited to welcome a new listener to VOV’s DX’ing community: Tom Beaton of the US!
B: Welcome, Mr. Beaton. I’m very glad you enjoy listening to VOV’s program to learn about developments here. Tom listened to VOV on November 23 on the frequency of 7315khz and rated SINPO all 4s with a strong signal. Tom, your report has detailed information about our program so we definitely will send you a QSL card to confirm it.
A: We’ll also send you some other station materials – a frequency list and a program guide – to make it easier to tune in to our programs. Our programs are available on the internet at www.vovworld.vn, where you can hear both live and recorded programs.
B: I’m reading a letter from Hiroyuki Niizuma of Japan, who is not a new listener but has not been writing to VOV for a year. Mr. Niizuma said VOV’s broadcast from 13:30 UTC to 14:05 UTC, which included an English and a Japanese program, was not good. He monitored two frequencies - 9840khz and 12020 khz - for a week.
A: Thank you very much for your enthusiasm, Mr. Niizuma. Your detailed technical report is appreciated. Using a Torio R300 with an interior antenna, Mr. Niizuma reported a signal strength as low as 3 or 2. “Your frequency announcement of 9840kh and station ID were audible but my reception equipment indicated approximately 9820 khz, while VOV was on the air. Listening conditions were not good from October 23 to 29.”
B: We’ve forwarded your remarks to our technicians. We hope you will continue to send us feedback, which is very useful in monitoring our foreign broadcasts. We’d like to welcome Allen Dean back to VOV’s shortwave community after a year’s absence. He has resumed tuning in regularly, normally to VOV’s 16:00 UTC transmission. After recent frequency changes for the winter, reception of VOV’s Europe broadcast on 7280khz on November 26 was good with no interference and only slight noise at times at Allen’s home in Lancaster. SINPO rating was 45444.
A: It’s nice to receive your feedback again, Mr. Dean. You’ll receive our verification card soon. I have here letters from regular listeners Masaru Sekimoto, Toshiya Nishimura, and Fumito Hokamura of Japan. I love to receive letters from Japanese listeners because of the nice stamps of many aspects showing scenes of Japan, the beautiful postcards, and the especially nice hand-writing on the reception reports.
B: The letters characterize the writers and I think the Japanese in general. They are precise, formal, polite, and respectful. Masaru Sekimoto listened to VOV on 9840 khz on November 21 and rated SINPO at 34232. He commented: “I have a good time listening to your English program. I can study English and hear news from all over the world through your programs. I’m interested in the culture of Vietnam. I will listen to your program again.”
A: Toshiya Nishimura tuned in to our program on November 12 and 15 on 12020kh and his reception reports have sufficient information as usual. Fumito Hokamura listened to VOV on November 28 on 12020 khz. It was audible with SINPO rating 45333. Most of our listeners in Japan said the signal on 12020khz in the summer was good.
B: Ashik Eqbal Tokon of Bangladesh emailed us to say that he has learned something about Vietnamese culture. “A couple of weeks ago while reading some articles on world poetry in our library, I came across some lines of Vietnamese poetry. I learned that Vietnam has a glorious literary history. I’ve learned a lot about Vietnam and the Vietnamese people through my only window, the Voice of Vietnam. Now I’ve become interested in your literature, especially Vietnamese poems.”
A: If you go to Amazon.com, you can find several Vietnamese poets translated into English, French, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Egyptian. The most famous Vietnamese poet of all time, Nguyen Du, was recognized as an international cultural figure by UNESCO at its 37th session in Paris in 2013.
B: Nguyen Du, who was born in 1765 and died in 1820, left many valuable works, including The Tale of Kieu. The masterpiece has been translated into more than 20 languages and is cherished for its originality, independent thinking, and distillation of Vietnamese culture. For 2 centuries critics have been explaining and analyzing the work from various angles.
A: On Vietnam Poetry Day, observed on the 15th day of the first lunar month, poets and poetry lovers share their passion. Last year Vietnam Poetry Day was celebrated in many cities and provinces nationwide. The event honors literary works of the past and present. Vietnam’s contemporary poetry features Vietnam’s way of life, renovation, national construction and national defense.
B: Foreign writers and poets are invited to Vietnam on this occasion. The celebration promotes not only poetry and literature, but also the performing arts – acting, dancing, and music.
A: 2017 is almost here and Christmas and New Year greetings are pouring into our office. Ashik Eqbal Tokon of Bangladesh wrote: “Wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in advance. I must say that you are doing a nice job of keeping us all informed about the various events taking place in the world through your radio program and website. Whenever we need to know about Vietnam, VOV is the best choice and the nicest way to do it. I’d like to say that your website and shortwave program very nice sources of information and entertainment.”
A: Rana Dewan Rafiqul of Bangladesh wrote: “I’ve been a regular world service radio listener for 15 years and I’m happy to tell you that during those years, I’ve learned so much about your beautiful country.” Mohamed el-Sayed said 2017 is coming and he looks forward to a new year that holds peace and stability for the whole world. He wished VOV success and progress.
B: VOV sent several cards and calendars to our listeners last week at whatever address you provided us. In my experience of previous years, some listeners never receive our gifts or receive them after many months. These problems are out of our control. This year we’ll keep our fingers crossed that you’ll receive everything soon and no one will complain that they don’t get anything.
A: Dear listeners, thank you very much for tuning in to our programs and sending us feedback. We’ll verify your reception reports and hope you’ll receive our QSL cards soon. We welcome your feedback at English Section, VOVworld, Voice of Vietnam, 45 Ba Trieu Street, Hanoi, Vietnam. Our email address is englishsection@vov.org.vn. Thank you for listening to VOV on shortwave and for visiting our website. Good bye until next time.