Art performance at the preliminary round of the National Radio Festival 2024 held in Tuyen Quang province in May, 2024.

B: Jose Carlos Carbajal of Uruguay told us: “I had the opportunity to listen to VOV on the frequency of 9730 kHz some time ago. Your program was very interesting. Thank you, VOV, for maintaining your shortwave broadcast.”

A: Mr. Carbajal said: “I began listening to shortwave radio in 1987. When I moved to an apartment in 1998, I couldn't install an antenna to continue listening. I was extremely regretful when I had to give up my hobby. I know that some radio stations are streaming on the Internet, but it's not the same as listening to shortwave radio, so I abandoned listening to international radio stations. In February this year, a friend of mine, who is a professional DXer, introduced me to a receiver that uses SDR software. Thanks to it, I can return to my hobby of listening to international radio stations."

B: Jose, welcome to VOV’s community of shortwave listeners! We’re grateful to you for encouraging us to maintain our shortwave broadcast. We hope to establish a regular correspondence with you.

A: July will be a happy month for radio broadcasters in Vietnam as the final round of the 16^th National Radio Festival will he held in Thanh Hoa province from July 9 to July 14. More than 1,000 broadcasters and technicians from radio and television stations across Vietnam are expected to attend the Festival, which is being organized by Voice of Vietnam with the theme “Vietnamese radio – diversity in digital transformation.”

B: This year's Radio Festival will draw 81 agencies, the Ministry of Public Security, and the Ministry of National Defense. They have sent to the Festival 380 entries for competitions in news reportage, thematic programs, interviews, radio dramas, and ethnic language programs.

A: There will also be awards for Golden Voice broadcasters, Excellent Production Techniques, Digital Application to Radio, and Podcasts. Radio stations of cities and provinces nationwide will bring to the Festival their most interesting programs which vividly mirror Vietnam’s socio-economic developments.

Tran Minh Hung, VOV’s Vice President and Chief Organizer, said: “The entries sent by 81 agencies cover diverse topics and were carefully produced with innovative approaches and presentation.”

B: The Organizing Committee said radio programs have caught up with contemporary trends and use digital platforms to reach a wider audience.

Nguyen Thi Tuyet Trinh, Director of Phu Tho province’s radio and television station, said: “The topical programs are high-quality. Radio stations have covered hot local and national topics with experts who can clarify the issues. This year's theme is “Diversity in digital transformation”, which has been used to make programs more informative and entertaining.”

A: VOVWorld’s English section will bring to the Festival a live show with expat guests talking about their life in Vietnam. There will also be a seminar called “Experience in using AI in communications”, as well as an exhibition of radio and television equipment.

A live radio program "Between the line of life and death" by reporters of the People's Public Security Broadcasting Unit wins the Special Prize at the National Radio Festival 2022.

 

A: Kim Samneang of Cambodia asked: “Does Vietnam have flyboarding?”

B: Flyboarding, the thrilling sport of flying above the sea on a water-jet powered board, is available at beaches in Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, and Da Nang.

A: The flyboard is a jet ski device that requires proper instruction and safety precautions. The personal watercraft (PWC) gives its driver the freedom to go anywhere, even underwater. The PWC’s thrust via a 180-degree attachment allows the rider to steer the device.

B: In Nha Trang, flyboarding is available at Hon Tam, Hồ Tiên Tourism Complex, and Tranh beach. Tourists in Phu Quoc can experience flyboarding at Bai Dai and Bai Sao.

A: Skyboarding just made its debut in Da Nang this month. People were thrilled to see skyboarders soaring 15 meters above the water and performing 360-degree turns and somersaults.

B: For 50 USD you can rent all the necessary equipment, including the flyboard, a life jacket, and a helmet.

A: Coastal cities offer other entertainment possibilities, including underwater walking, jeep rides, snorkeling, and kayaking.

B: In their emails to VOV this week, many listeners have asked us, what are the most popular sports in Vietnam?

A: According to sportfoundation.org, the 10 most popular sports in Vietnam are football, badminton, table tennis, volleyball, swimming, martial arts, chess, athletics, basketball, and cycling.

B: Football is undoubtedly the most popular sport in Vietnam. The speed, skill, and drama of the matches keep fans glued to their screens or cheering in the stands.

A: Football matches take place all year round across the country, with tournaments at national and local levels organized by the Vietnam Football Federation, provinces, sectors, schools, and other organizations.

B: The V-League, Vietnam’s top professional football league, showcases the country’s best talent.

A: Some milestones of Vietnamese football: U23 Vietnam miraculously won the silver medal at the Asian Football Confederation U23 Championship in Changzhou, China, in 2018. The final match between Vietnam and Uzbekistan was widely considered the most exciting final in the history of the AFC.

B: The Vietnam U23 team won the gold medal at the 31st SEA Games in 2022.

A: With 3 wins and 1 draw in the 2018 AFF Cup, the Vietnamese team climbed to 100th place in the FIFA rankings in 2018. Until the end of the second qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup, the Vietnamese team occupied 92nd place in the rankings.

B: In 2021, Vietnam, for the first time in its history, qualified for the Final Round of the FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, the sole Southeast Asian team to reach this stage.

A: VOV’s listeners have sent us a lot of questions, but we only have time to answer a few. We’ll be back next Wednesday with some more of those answers. Until then tune in to VOV every day for news updates and stories about events in Vietnam.

B: We welcome your feedback at English Service, VOVWORLD, the Voice of Vietnam, 45 Ba Trieu street, Hanoi, Vietnam.

B: You can email us at englishsection@vov.vn. You’re invited to visit us online at vovworld.vn, where you can hear both live and recorded programs. Once again, thank you all for listening. Goodbye!