The temperature in Phia Oắc mountain summit in Cao Bang province drops to below zero DC on Feb 20, 2022. (photo: VOV)

B: It’s interesting to read listeners’ feedback on VOV’s programs and their questions about many things in Vietnam.

A: Last week we posted articles and photos on the subject of winter cold spells, snow, and ice in Vietnam’s northern mountains, prompting many of our listeners to ask if that weather is unusual in Vietnam.

B: A freezing cold spell blanketed many northern mountain areas with frost, thin ice, and snow. Mountain summits in Cao Bang, Ha Giang, Lang Son, and Lao Cai province attracted tourists looking for snow and ice, which occur for just a few days once or twice a year.

A frozen motobike (photo: VOV)

A: Meteorologists say this was the coldest wave since the beginning of the winter. There have been nine cold spells since December, the coldest causing temperatures to plummet to 2 below zero Celsius on Mount Fansipan in Lao Cai province.

B: Mau Son Mountain in Lang Son province saw frost, heavy sleet, and thick fog. Ice covered a large area atthe top of themountain, quite thick in less windy spots. That’s a rare phenomenon in Vietnam,whichonly occursin the high mountains ofthe northern region.

A: Snow and ice produce stunning scenery in the northern mountains and forests, which always attracts a lot of travelers from the northern lowlands as well as regions further south. Vietnam is, after all, a tropical country.

B: The severe icy weather is great for tourists and tourism businesses, but not so great for farmersbecause it hurts farm production. Plants and animals can die if the harsh weather persists too long.

Tourists flock to the northern mountains on freezing days to contemplate natural scenery. (photo: VOV)

A: Winter in Vietnam typically lasts from late October to February, but only Hanoi and the north suffer a long humid winter with temperatures dropping  below 10°C oreven below zero at higher elevations. It’s getting warmer now as spring comes in.

B: Tourists intending to cometo Vietnam during the winter should choose their destinations with care, because temperatures can vary significantly from north to south and from lowlands to mountains. While the central and southern regions have sunshine all year round, with temperatures ranging from 23 to 26 degrees Celsius, the northern region can experience an uncomfortable humid coldness.

A: Listener Phanthavong of Vientiane, Laos, said he learned from VOV that Vietnam intends to reopen tourism on March 15. He wants to know about theregulations for foreign tourists.

B:  Vietnam will fully reopen its air, land, and sea borders on March 15. All travel restrictions imposed since the pandemic broke out in Vietnam in 2020 will be lifted. The ministries have asked the Government to resume the unilateral visa exemption policy for 13 countries and the bilateral exemption policy for 88 countries and territories that was in place prior to the pandemic.

A: Tourists from the 13 exempted countries can stay in Vietnam up to15 days without a visa. Foreign tourists arriving in Vietnam will not need to have booked a tour package with a designated travel agency as they did under the pilot tourism program launched last November.

B: Foreign visitors arriving in Vietnam by air must stay in their hotel or other accommodation until they have received a negative COVID-19 test result.

B: We’ll continue to update you on Vietnam’s travel regulations to help you plan your visit to Vietnam. We hope to welcome many of our listeners to Vietnam soon.

A group of Lao tourists visit Phu Quoc island on a closed package tour in January. (photo: vietnamtourism.gov.vn)

A: Next Tuesday, March 8, people will celebrate International Women’s Day all around the world. Due to the pandemic, celebrations in Vietnam will be low-key and there will be no large gatherings, but there will still be many activities organized by the Government, social organizations, workplaces, and families.

B: March 1 to March 8 will be “Ao dai week”, during which women are encouraged to wear the traditional Vietnamese long dress, called the ao dai, to work or social events.

B: While Ao dai week calls attention to women’s beauty, there are reasons to celebrate women’s achievements in society and social progress in gender equality and the recognition ofwomen’s contributions.

A: Vietnam has risen to 65th out of 162 countries and territories on the gender development index, and 87th on the narrowing the gender gap index. Over the past 35 years, 20 collectives and 49 female scientists have won the Kovalevskaia award. 26.5 percent of the businesses in Vietnam are led by women.

B: How do you celebrate Women’s Day? We really want to hear your stories. You can leave your comment on our website at vovworld.vn, email us at englishsection.vov.vn, or send a letter to VOV, 45 Ba Trieu street, Hanoi, Vietnam.

Women in Da Nang wear ao dai on Ao Dai Week 2021.

A: Chinese listener Meilin asked: “Does VOV have a seasonal disease consultancy program?”

B: The English Service has a program called “Doctor at home” on its domestic channel VOV24/7 on which doctors give general advice on seasonal diseases and answer listeners’ questions in English.

A:VOV FM, broadcast at 89 MHz, is a domestic channel in Vietnamese that is dedicated to health, the environment, and food safety and hygiene issues.

A: Japanese listener Ueda Tomoharu asked: “Does Vietnam have many natural hot springs?”

B: Yes, it does. There are many hot springs across Vietnam. When the cold wind comes to northern Vietnam, many people like to visit a mineral hot spring. Bathing in these springs relaxes you, improves your overall health, and can improvesome skin, joint, and heart conditions.

A: Quang Hanh hot spring is a popular tourist stop in Quang Ninh province. You can book a private room with a tub or bathe in a big outdoor pool.  Even in cold weather, the hot mineral water of Quang Hanh will keep you warm and comfortable.

B: Tien Lang hot spring in Hai Phong city is considered one of the 5 best mineral water springs in Vietnam. Its water comes up from 850m underground.

A: The natural hot spring of Kim Boi in Hoa Binh province is just 70 km from Hanoi. Of allthe hot springs in Vietnam, this one has the lowest temperature, which ranges from 34 to 36°C. It’s not hot enough to form steam, but its warmth and mineral content are good for skin disease treatment and for relaxing.

B: Thanh Thuy hot spring in Phu Tho province is a great place to relax, summer or winter. The average temperature is between37 and43°C, but it can get up to 53°C. In the summer, the water is cooled to about 27°C.

A: My Lam hot spring in Tuyen Quang province is known to medical tourists around the world. It’s very clear and very hot, with temperatures up to 60°C.The water that comes up from 150m underground contains high levels of sulfur.

B: Most of the areas with a hot mineral spring have developed good services to accommodate people who want an extended stay for treatment or just relaxation.

B: Our time is up. We’re …and ….,thanking you for joining us on VOV’s Letter Box. We’ll be back next Wednesday. Goodbye until then.