A: Radio listeners around the world are celebrating Radio Day February 13. Chinmoy Mahato, President of the Guide International Listeners Club in India wrote: “We are going to celebrate World Radio Day on February 13 in our club. On this occasion, we have arranged a big Radio Exhibition and a Listeners’ Conference.”

A discussion with Vietnamese football commentators at World Radio Day event at VOV

B: It’s so great to be informed about radio listeners clubs’ activities to mark Radio Day, Chinmoy. We wish your event great success. We’d like to welcome Anamdarshi Masih of India to VOV. We’ll send you our frequency list and program schedule to make it easier for you to follow our broadcasts. We look forward to hearing from you frequently.

A: In an email to VOV, Shivendu Paul, President of the Metali Listeners’ Club wrote: “Season’s greetings and best wishes for the New Year 2018 and coming World Radio Day 2018 to all staff and listeners of Voice of Vietnam. Thank you for sending souvenir items for our World Radio Day Program. We try to listen to your program regularly. I hope that in the year 2018 your program will be even mire informative and joyful.”

B: Mr. Paul told us about a blood donation program for Thalasemia Children in India during which they organized a drawing, a student recitation competition and some women’s competitions as well as music and other cultural programs. He asked about blood donation programs in Vietnam.

A: In Vietnam, a blood donation campaign called “Red Sunday” is underway throughout the country. Initiated by the Tien Phong (Vanguard) newspaper 10 years ago, the Red Sunday blood donation drive this year involves 31 localities. More than 42,000 blood units have been collected in the Red Sunday Blood Donation Campaign over the past month. With 15,000 blood units collected, Ho Chi Minh City leads the 31 participating cities and provinces.

B: Many other blood donation drives have been carried out in Vietnam. Over the last 20 years, these drives have attracted tens of thousands of people. In 2017 over 1.2 million units of blood were donated, meeting 70% of the demand.

A: This week we received a letter from Koji Nakayama of Japan, who listened to our broadcast from 13:30 to 13:57 UTC on January 5^th on the frequency of 9840 khz and rated SINPO between 3 and 5. He wrote: “Thank you for the interesting and informative program including the latest news, current affairs, culture, and beautiful Vietnamese songs Vietnam. I had a great time listening to your radio program which taught me many things about Vietnam. “

Bai choi singing is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

B: “It was interesting listening to one of today’s topics. “Bai Choi”, an art form that combines music, poetry, painting, and literature. I was pleased to hear good news that Bai Choi was designated as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. The art of Bai Choi involves a card game and bamboo huts, and plays also an important role in the culture and recreation of village communities. In addition the games teach younger people social values. I hope the younger generations in the villages take over the wonderful tradition forever. At the end of the broadcast, I enjoyed listening to the attractive song a female singer was singing. The beautiful song made a nice impression. I would like to listen to many of the popular songs that Vietnamese people love.”

A: Thank you for your letter. Bai choi, an art form that combines music, poetry, acting, painting, and literature, has been an important and indispensable spiritual and cultural practice of people in central Vietnam over past centuries. UNESCO added Vietnamese ‘Bai choi’ folk music to its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list during the 12th session of their Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in South Korea.

A: In an email to VOV, Ashik Eqbal Tokon of Bangladesh wrote: “I wish you a very Happy New Year of the Dog 2018 and Congratulations to the U23 football team for their great achievements. Thanks for the detailed report on 45 years of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and India. Would you please give us some information about the relationship between Bangladesh and Vietnam in a future Letter Box. We’re eagerly waiting to know more.”

B: Bangladesh was the first country in South Asia and the second in Asia to recognise and establish diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level with the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Viet Nam. On February 11, 1973, Viet Nam and Bangladesh officially established diplomatic relations.  The two countries will mark the 45^th anniversary of bilateral ties this year.

A: The ties between the two countries have grown rapidly over the past 45 years. They are enjoying fruitful economic cooperation, with trade growing to 609 million USD in 2016 from only 93 million in 2009. Bangladesh is a major importer of cement from Vietnam. In 2016 Bangladesh imported cement worth 141 million USD from Vietnam. Vinamilk of Vietnam partnered with Bigbiz in Bangladesh, to sell its products in Bangladesh since last January. Vietnam wants Bangladesh to import more Vietnamese goods, including farm produce, aquatic products, consumer goods, and materials.

B: The two sides have a great potential for partnering in infrastructure, telecommunications, and fish farming. Vietnam is improving its investment environment to attract more investors, including investors from Bangladesh.

A: Richard Nowak of the US confirmed that he had received our wall calendar. He wrote” The calendar is special and beautiful and went into the same spot as last year’s. As soon as one walks in the door to my house, the first thing they see is the VOV calendar.” However, Mr. Nowak complained about our transmission on the frequency of 7315 calling it a “mess”.

B: It’s great to hear that you like our calendar. Thank you, Mr. Nowak, for your technical comment. We’ll forward it to our technicians to fix. We look forward to your further comments.

A: We’d like to acknowledge emails and letters from Andrew Kuznetsov of Latvia, Michael Cunningham of Australia, Malik Allah Bachaya Khokhar of Pakistan, Eddy Prabowo of Indonesia, Fumito Hokamura of Japan, and Siddharta Bhattacharjee of India.

B: We welcome your feedback at: English Section, VOVworld, the Voice of Vietnam, 45 Ba Trieu Street, Hanoi, Vietnam. Or you can email us at englishsection@vov.org.vn. You’re invited to visit us online at vovworld.vn, where you can hear both live and recorded programs. Check out our VOV Media App available on both IOS and Android platforms to hear our live broadcasts. We look forward to your feedback on the mobile version of vovworld.vn. Once again, thank you all. Good bye until next time.