 Sa Dec Flower Village is in full bloom, with thousands of fragrant flowers brightening the area. |
B: Yes, over the past week, we received multiple New Year greetings from listeners around the world.
A: We’d like to welcome back to VOV Richard Chen of Trinidad & Tobago and thank him for the beautiful New Year greeting card. It’s been such a long time since we last heard from you. We wish you all the best for the New Year and hope to hear from you more regularly.
B: In his email to VOVWorld this week, Mr. Najumuddin of India wrote: “Happy Lunar New Year 2025. I wish you celebrate the Lunar New Year with heartfelt wishes for a prosperous and joyful journey through the Year of the Snake. Let these greetings spread positivity and light, enriching the lives of everyone around you.”
A: He also shared his understanding about Vietnamese Lunar New Year or Tet: “This special holiday is all about family reunions, honoring ancestors, and starting fresh with blessings for the year ahead. Traditions come alive with delicious bowls of traditional food, symbolizing growth and good fortune, and folk games that bring families together in laughter!”
 Pagoda visits at Lunar New Year embody Vietnam’s cultural tradition |
B: Mr. Najumuddin, we truly appreciate your kind words and well wishes for the Year of the Snake. Tet is a time of joy, renewal, and family reunions, and we’re delighted to know that you recognize and appreciate its significance.
A: Bidhan Chandra Sanyal of India wrote: “Vietnamese New Year is a celebration that transcends generations, entwining cultural significance with sincere expressions of joy and prosperity. Rooted in deep cultural heritage, this enchanting festival marks the beginning of a new lunar year and serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of family.”
B: He continued: “I would like to greet everyone in the English Section of Voice of Vietnam as Chuc nam moi nhieu suc khoe, an khang thinh vuong – translated as Wish you a New Year of Health, Luck and Prosperity.”
A: Mr. Sanyal, your description of Tet beautifully captures its essence. Respecting elders, honoring traditions, and celebrating with loved ones are at the heart of Vietnamese culture, and we’re glad you highlighted these meaningful aspects.
B: This week, Khamtan, from Laos, told us that he wants to learn more about the custom of giving lucky money at the beginning of the year.
A: Tet is Vietnam’s biggest holiday, associated with a range of traditions and customs and praying for good things for the coming year. “Li xi” or giving lucky money is one of the most anticipated Tet customs, especially by the children.
B: “Li xi” is a little new money put in a red envelope. No one knows exactly when and how the “li xi” custom began. It is just a belief without any scientific evidence that “li xi” can bring good luck, but for sure, it brings great happiness to the recipients, whether in the ancient past or in modern times. During Vietnam’s subsidy period, when lives were difficult, a small “li xi” was a great morale boost.
“When I was 7 years old, there was no paper money nor red envelope. Visitors to my house during Tet gave 3 coins to each of the 4 sisters. My parents didn’t allow us to spend them right away. We had to put them into a water tank to keep them cool so that we would have a peaceful and lucky year. When Tet was over, we took the coins out to play cards, toss the coins, and play a game in which a coin was shaken in a bowl. It was lots of fun. We hung out all day long without even thinking about meals,” said an elder.
"When I was a child, my family was very poor. On New Year’s Eve, I got new clothes that my parents made themselves. Then on the first lunar day, we wore our new clothes to get some lucky dimes. My friends and I spent them on hiring bicycles to ride around and buy the food and toys we loved," a local elder recalled.
B: Children nowadays are raised in better conditions with enough food and clothes and entertainment. But that doesn’t lessen the children’s eagerness to receive or even give “li xi”.
Some children said:
“The thing I love most when Tet comes is receiving lucky money. I usually spend a little of my money on toys and give the rest to my parents. I usually give ‘li xi’ to my cousin. He thanks me for the ‘li xi’ and it brings us closer to each other”.
“I am very happy to get ‘li xi’. I just give all my lucky money to my parents to pay my tuition fees. My brother and I even compare to see who got more ‘li xi’. We’re both very happy”.
A: The “li xi” custom has changed a little bit to keep up with evolving Vietnamese society. But in any society, whether old or modern, “li xi” remains one of the most important customs of Vietnamese people, whose significance doesn’t lie in the amount of money given but in the goodwill of the givers for happiness and prosperity for their loved ones in the new year.
B: HM Tarek of Bangladesh listened to our broadcast on February 2 on the frequency of 7220 khz with SINPO of all 3s and shared his interest in our story about the Dong Da mound festival which celebrates our victory against Qing invaders 236 years ago.
A: Thank you for tuning in to our broadcast. The Dong Da Mound Festival is a symbol of national pride and resilience, and we are happy to share its significance with our international audience. We appreciate your report on the reception quality and look forward to bringing you more engaging content in the future!
B: Ratan Kumar Paul of India listened to our broadcast on February 1 on the frequency of 7220 khz and reported a good signal for the reception. “I enjoyed your very nice songs. Others program are always my favourite for reliable source of knowledge,” he wrote.
A: We sincerely appreciate your kind words and feedback on our February 1 broadcast. It is wonderful to hear that you enjoyed our selection of songs and found our programs to be a reliable source of information. Your support motivates us to continue delivering quality content. We hope you will keep listening and sharing your thoughts with us.
B: Kanchan Kr Chatterjee of India is excited about the upcoming World Radio Day, February 13. He wrote: “On February 13th, Our Radio Listener's Club along with the world is celebrating World Radio Day. As we celebrate World Radio Day, let us also take a moment to appreciate the hard work and dedication of those who work in the radio industry, bringing us the content that informs, inspires, and entertains us. So, on this World Radio Day, let us tune in to our favorite radio stations and celebrate the power of radio.”
A: Thank you for your heartfelt message about World Radio Day! We share your enthusiasm in celebrating the power of radio and its role in informing, inspiring, and connecting people across the globe. Your appreciation for the dedication of radio professionals means a lot to us. On this special occasion, we invite all our listeners to continue supporting radio as a vital medium for education, entertainment, and cultural exchange. Stay tuned for our special broadcasts to mark this important day!
B: Once again, we thank all our listeners for your continued support and engagement. Your feedback and suggestions help us improve and bring you better programs. We wish you a New Year filled with joy and prosperity!