Lotus is summer flower of Hanoi

A: First on our show today, we’d like to acknowledge Mr. Sanil Deep of India for participating in our contest “What do you know about Vietnam”.

B: In his entry to VOV this week, Mr. Deep wrote: “It is my pleasure to participate in the 2020 contest. I have been a listener of VOV since 1981 and still enjoying your wonderful program.”

A: He expressed his interest in our Sunday Show, Current Affairs and Letter Box. He wrote: “The Sunday Show is interesting as I am getting updated information on cultural activities, reports of visits in villages, talk of villagers, the music and songs in between the program played and also various events in Vietnam.  I like Current Affairs as this is one of the important programs of VOV in which up to date information in and out of your country is reflected and presentation is also superb.  Letter Box is one of the best listener participation programs where a friendly bridge between the broadcaster and listeners is maintained . The views expressed on the letter box shows how different programs are liked by various listeners around the globe. I’m glad to see your faithful listeners are picking up the programs for more than 40 years and still enjoying.”

B: Thank you, Mr. Deep, for participating in our contest. Since we launched the contest in March, we have received positive responses from listeners around the world. We call on other listeners to participate in our contest to win a trip to Vietnam.  Once again, we’d like to remind you of the questions of the contest.

1. In 2020, Vietnam serves as the ASEAN Chair and as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure. What are Vietnam’s priorities for the 2020 ASEAN Chairmanship Year? What were Vietnam’s contributions to the UN Security Council during its term as the Council’s President in January?

2. Vietnam will host a number of important political and external affairs events in 2020. Name the 5 events that you find of greatest interest. What are your thoughts about the event that interests you the most? 

3. Vietnam has been actively involved in UN peacekeeping missions. What achievements has Vietnam already recorded and what do you expect Vietnam to accomplish in the future?

4. Vietnam boasts a wealth of UNESCO-recognized heritage sites. Name at least 5 of these heritage sites and talk about the one you find most impressive.

5. What thoughts strike you first when you think about Vietnam? Why?

6. How do you access the Voice of Vietnam’s programs? Which VOV program do you like best? Why?

The 3 top contestants will win a free 5-day trip to Vietnam.

Entries should be sent by post to VOVWORLD, 45 Ba Trieu street, Hanoi, Vietnam, or emailed to: englishsection@vov.vn between March 15, 2020 and July 15, 2020.

Entries should be accompanied by a clear photocopy of the contestant’s passport or other ID. All the information you need to answer these questions can be found in our radio broadcasts and on our website at vovworld.vn. Good luck!

A: So, you will have one and a half months to send in your entry to the contest.

B: This week, we received feedback from Timm Breyel of Malaysia. He wrote: “ As before I am submitting another reception report of the Voice of Vietnam, which was heard on 31 May 2020, from 15:05 till 15:26 UTC, on the short-wave frequency of 9840 kHz, under excellent conditions here in the Kuala Lumpur area.”
A: Expressing interest in our Sunday show about the Dong Son bronze drums, Banh Gai rice cakes and popular Vietnamese songs of contemporary artists, he wrote: “The report on Banh Gai reminded me especially of the glutinous rice cakes we have in Malaysia. While I'm on the topic of Vietnamese cuisine I would like to share with you some of the Vietnamese dishes my wife has recently prepared, including the Bún Bowl, Banh Xeo and Rice Paper Spring Roll. These dishes are not only healthy and wholesome, they are absolutely tantalizing and delicious! If your listeners have not tried Vietnamese food I heartily recommend it. Now, I must tell my wife about Banh Gai.”

Gai cake - a specialty of northern Vietnam

B: Thank you, Mr. Breyel, for sharing your story with us. We’ll confirm your reception report with an e-QSL card.

A: Vietnamese food is often praised internationally. A food tour has been named the top experience in Vietnam by Lonely Planet. The travel publisher describes Vietnamese food as balanced between sour and sweet flavours, crunchy and silky textures, fried and steamed dishes, soups and salads.

B: “Essentially it’s all about the freshness of the ingredients – chefs shop twice daily to collect just-picked herbs from the market,” it says, and calls eating out in Vietnam a feast for the eyes and a treat for the palate.

Vietnam's central region is famous for the many cakes

A: Vietnam is famous for cakes which vary from region to region. Pia cake, one of Soc Trang province’s signature dishes, is now served in a number of places around the world.

B: In the 17th century, Pia cake was introduced to Soc Trang by Chinese people seeking refuge in the south of Vietnam. Vung Thom village in My Tu district is considered the center of Pia cake making. In the past the cake was only made during the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Lunar New Year Holiday.

A: The ingredients include wheat flour, green beans, taro, durian, salted egg, and lotus seed. To make Pia cakes, you need to follow some complicated steps.

B: Flour is kneaded with water, white sugar, salt, cooking oil and pig fat to create the crust. To create a thin crust with many layers, the dough must be well mixed, rolled thin and folded over. A thin, flaky crust is a typical feature of Pia cake.

Pia cake is most popular in southern Vietnam

A: It’s not so easy to make the Pia cake stuffing, either. It requires carefully mixing all the ingredients together to create the right flavor and aroma. For the stuffing, there are different recipes. After steaming the green beans, sugar is added and the mixture is mashed smooth with some lard. The durian is separated, mixed with pig then covered with a salted duck yolk. If you like, you can add pork to the stuffing.

B: Soc Trang province is famous for pia cakes whose main flavor is a combination of durian fruit and steamed green beans.

A: We hope that you will enter our contest “What do you know about Vietnam?” for a chance to win a trip to Vietnam to sample our many kinds of cake. We’re sure you’ll be impressed.

B: We welcome your feedback at: English Service, VOVworld, the Voice of Vietnam, 45 Ba Trieu street, Hanoi, Vietnam. Or you can email us at our new email address: englishsection@vov.vn. You’re invited to visit us online at vovworld.vn, where you can hear both live and recorded programs.

A : We look forward to your feedback on the mobile version of vovworld.vn. Once again, thank you all for listening.