 VOV's Headquarters at 58 Quan Su, Hanoi |
B: S.B Sharma of India wrote: “Radio is still a trusted and authentic medium of communication to all people and societies around the globe. Radio is not the past. It is the present and will be the future, also. We join hands to strengthen our bond with radio. Celebrate and enjoy World Radio Day 2022.”
A: Dawood Jabarkhail of Pakistan wrote on our website “Happy World Radio Day 2022! All of your programs are great. Your news and commentaries are valued.”
B: We thank all our listeners for accompanying VOV. We’re very happy to have had a growing number of listeners year after year. It shows that radio is still one of the most popular means of communication, used by an overwhelming majority of people.
A: UNESCO said in an article commemorating World Radio Day that media studies show a global decline in trust of the Internet and social networks, but a rise in overall trust in the news. And many people still have greater confidence in radio than in any other media. This confidence level reinforces the importance of providing citizens with accurate and reliable information whatever it costs.
 The gate of VOV's headquarters at 58 Quan Su, Hanoi |
B: Despite digitalization being a global trend, digital access to information is far from being equal, with huge differences remaining between regions and between communities, in terms of both Internet subscriptions and computer ownership.
A: UNESCO’s article said radio remains affordable and can be listened to everywhere, even when electricity or connectivity is not reliable. Radio is consequently one of the most popular means of communication, used by an overwhelming majority of people.
B: With its achievements over the past years, VOV is confident in continuing our shortwave broadcasts of trusted, verifiable information shared in the public interest, while also promoting its content on other platforms to help society and build a better future for all.
A: Once again, Happy World Radio Day! Last week we got 4 letters from Fumito Hokamura, a regular listener to VOV’s programs in English and Japanese. He listens to VOV every day and sends us reception reports every week. Mr. Hokamura asks about many things, such as cooking and special Tet dishes like nem, also called cha gio, and dipping sauce.
 A tray of typical Tet food |
B: We celebrated Tet in early February but the Tet atmosphere still lingers, so let’s talk about popular dishes for Tet – boiled chicken, pork and beef paste, chicken salad, dried bamboo shoots steamed with pig trotters, and fried spring rolls, called nem or cha gio in Vietnamese.
A: Fried spring rolls are delicious, with a crispy exterior and flavorful filling. This dish is not only for Tet. It’s a must at any traditional Vietnamese feast, worship ceremony or celebration. It’s great for everyday meals, too, because you can make it ahead of time and freeze it for later.
B: Depending on the region, the filling may be slightly different, but it usually contains pork, shrimp, and a variety of shredded veggies. Shrimp can go together with or be replaced by crab meat or other seafood. All the ingredients are wrapped in a rice wrapper and fried until golden and crispy.
 Fried spring rolls are served with fresh aromatic leaves and fish sauce. |
A: The filling usually includes mung bean vermicelli, dried wood-ear mushrooms, shredded carrot, beansprouts, eggs, shallot, fish sauce, salt and pepper. The trick is to buy good quality rice wrappers so the fried rolls will have a golden and crispy appearance.
B: The dipping sauce adds a special flavor to the nem. It’s a mixture of warm water, sugar, fish sauce, lime juice, minced garlic, and minced chili.
A: You can find detailed recipes on the Food Delight page of our website vovworld.vn.
B: Tet week is traditionally for family reunions, family meals, ancestral worship, and relaxing. After that many people make a spring pilgrimage to religious sites and scenic spots, so the whole first lunar month is considered the spring festival season.
 Spring rolls are arranged in the shape of a peacock. |
A: For the past two years, spring festivals have been cancelled to keep COVID-19 from spreading. But in recent weeks Vietnam has adapted to the new normal and reopened many public places and festivals.
B: Huong Pagoda and spiritual sites in the Huong Son complex, a special national relic sit, in My Duc district on the outskirts of Hanoi, welcomed back visitors today. The Huong (Perfume) Pagoda Festival is one of the biggest spring festivals in northern Vietnam.
A: The complex was closed during Tet to curb the spread of COVID-19. Now that the pandemic is under control in Hanoi, authorities have allowed the special relic site to re-open.
B: Huong Son attracts visitors with its wonderful landscape of rivers and mountains, and also its historic Buddhist pagodas and temples.
 Boat rides on Yen stream to Huong Tich cave (photo: dulich24.com.vn) |
B: At Huong Son complex, visitors can take a boat ride on charming Yen Stream to contemplate the beauty of nature. The ride brings them to pagodas, temples, and caves along the river bank.
A: Unlike most other festivals in Vietnam, the Huong Pagoda Festival in Hanoi does not feature folk games, but does offer ceremonies to request favours from Buddha.
B: A pilgrimage to the Huong Pagoda Festival can be for religious reasons and at the same time to explore the beautiful natural landscape.
 The Huong Pagoda |
A: Last week we received emails and comments from many listeners and visitors to our website. Daniel Rodrigo Troncoso Murillo of Colombia contacted VOV for the first time and said it was very exciting to be able to listen to VOV’s English program on shortwave on January 31 on the frequency of 11885kHz. He rated SINPO all 3s.
A: Mr J. Fairish of northeast England told us that he received VOV’s English program on January 15th on 9730kHz. The transmission had a very good signal with a SINPO reading of 55544.
B: Soutik Hati of India wrote to us again after a long break. He listened to VOV’s broadcast again through our website because his short wave receiver is not working properly.
A: Mrityunjoy Bera of India told us that he is interested in the news and Vietnamese culture. The website vovworld.vn is well organized, he said.
B: Danilo Nonato of Brazil said: “I'm passionate about radio listening, especially shortwave waves broadcasting worldwide. I'm also quite curious about and fascinated by Vietnamese culture. I follow VOV’s daily broadcast on 11885 Khz. The short wave signal is excellent in Brazil.”
A: We thank you all for your feedback and for accompanying us. We welcome your comments at English Service, VOVWorld, the Voice of Vietnam, 45 Ba Trieu street, Hanoi, Vietnam.
A: Our email address is: englishsection@vov.vn. You’re invited to visit us online and leave your comments at vovworld.vn. Once again, thank you all for listening. Goodbye.