 Mending Net by Khanh Phan- Winner of the Travel Photography Contest by Wanderlust Magazine 2019; Published in Wanderlust Magazine (UK) in March 2020 |
B: We’d like to thank Sanil Deep of India for sending us regular reception reports on our broadcasts on the frequency of 12020 and 7220 KHZ. In his email to VOVWORLD this week, he told us that he has been listening to VOV since 1980 and has regularly sent feedback to our program. “The Sunday show and Saturday music program are my favorite programs where I can hear various songs. My day starts with the Voice of Vietnam. Your news and Current affairs are all update, covering news inside and outside your country.”
A: Thank you, Sanil Deep, for tuning in to our broadcast for such a long time. Our program is now available on the internet at vovworld.vn and mobile app VOV Media.
B: We’d like to say hello to Richard Lemke of Canada, who proudly tells us that he has been listening to VOVWORLD on the frequency of 11885 khz for 29 years, since 1995.
A: Listening to our broadcast on December 2 UTC 2024, he shared his interest in the Colorful Vietnam- Vietnam’s 54 Ethnic group with a story about the Muong ethnic people in Quoc Oai, Thach That, Ba Vi, and My Duc district in Hanoi. “They have maintained their traditional customs, culture, costumes, cuisine, folk beliefs, and folk arts, including sung epics, proverbs, riddles, and musical instruments, the best known of which is the gong.
B: Thank you, Richard Lemke. We hope to receive more regular feedback from you. Juan Carlos Hernández Jiménez from Guatemala shared his excitement about writing to us again after many years. He recalled the days of sending letters by post and listening to VOV on shortwave, amazed by how much technology has advanced.
A: Juan Carlos, welcome back! It’s great to reconnect with you. Indeed, technology has transformed how we communicate, but what remains unchanged is our bond with our listeners. Whether by letter, email, social media, or online streaming, we’re always delighted to hear from you!
 Trang An Landscape Complex is Vietnam’s first UNESCO-listed mixed natural and cultural heritage site. |
B: Juan Diez from Spain shared his thoughts on the recent ASEAN Future Forum 2025 in Hanoi, emphasizing ASEAN’s growing strategic autonomy and the importance of global awareness in addressing complex international conflicts.
A: Juan, we appreciate your keen insights! ASEAN indeed plays a vital role in regional and global stability. Your observations highlight the importance of multilateral diplomacy in today’s increasingly complex world. Stay tuned to VOV5 for in-depth coverage of ASEAN’s initiatives and global affairs!
B: Peter Ng from Malaysia wrote to both English and Indonesian programs, saying he enjoys the News, 54 Ethnic Groups of Vietnam, and Personality of the Week segments.
A: Peter, we’re delighted that you enjoy our diverse programming! Vietnam’s ethnic culture is truly fascinating, and we’ll continue to bring you more insightful stories. If you have any specific topics you’d like us to cover, do let us know!
B: Eugene Kornykhin from Russia was captivated by our feature on Vietnam’s mountainous regions and wants to learn about famous tourist destinations in these areas.
A: Eugene, thank you for your curiosity about Vietnam’s breathtaking mountains! From Sapa’s misty landscapes to the stunning Ha Giang Loop, there’s so much to explore. Stay tuned—we’ll prepare a special segment on the best mountain destinations in Vietnam just for you!
B: Wu Leike from Guangdong, China, is planning a trip to Hanoi on May 1 and has several questions about visiting President Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, local transportation, and visiting VOV5 and VTV.
 Delegations pay tribute at President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (Photo: VNA) |
A: Great to hear you’re visiting Hanoi, Wu! Here’s what you need to know. President Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM (April–September). No ticket is needed, but be prepared for security checks and a dress code (no shorts or sleeveless tops).
B: The Ho Chi Minh Relic Site at the Presidential Palace is open for visitors. No advance booking is required.
A: For transportation, buses and taxis are convenient, and motorbike rentals are available. Hanoi's metro system is still expanding, but bus services are extensive.
B: If you wish to visit VOV5, please contact our office in advance for permission and arrangements. We hope you have a fantastic trip!
A: Bunthong from Laos wants to hear about Uoc Le Village, famous for its Vietnamese ham and sausage-making traditions.
B: That’s a fantastic suggestion, Bunthong! Located in Thanh Oai district, 30 kilometers to the southwest of Hanoi, Uoc Le is famous for its pork paste making profession.
 Roasted cinnamon pork is one of the specialties of Uoc Le Village. |
A: Uoc Le’s pork paste making began around half a century ago. According to the village records, during the Mac Dynasty in the 16th century, a concubine in the imperial court who was a Uoc Le native helped villagers build the impressive village gate and taught them how to make pork paste.
B: Uoc Le people were hardworking and eager to make a fortune from their traditional job. Village elder Nguyen Duc Hanh recalled that 90% of villagers used to make pork pies. “As the Vietnamese saying goes ‘one cannot get rich without engaging in trade’, most villagers do business far from home. Some even went abroad to France or the US.”
A: Uoc Le’s products are diverse ranging from lean pork paste, beef dumplings, fried pies, and pork and skin paste, to roasted cinnamon pork, and fermented pork roll. But the most notable products are lean pork paste and roasted cinnamon pork.
B: Making Uoc Le pork paste requires meticulous steps, from choosing the meat to the processing techniques. The meat should be the freshest rump part. Traditionally the meat was manually ground until it became pliable paste.
A: Now Uoc Le villagers use meat grinders which help them free up the labor force but they still maintain the traditional method.
B: Uoc Le native Nguyen Duc Binh, whose shop is in Khuong Dinh market in Hanoi, says: “It’s necessary to choose good meat if you want to turn out delicious products. It’s also important to balance the lean and fat pork meat. The meat is now ground by machine. The spices including fish sauce, honey, and salt are also important. A delicious pork paste product when cut open should have many holes inside."
A: Roasted cinnamon pork is delicious thanks to the meaty taste of roasted lean pork, the fragrance of cinnamon, honey, and daylily.
B: Uoc Le villager Nguyen Dinh Duong says: “To make pork paste, all the veins and fat parts should be removed. The remaining lean meat is sliced and then ground with different kinds of spices and salt. The paste is wrapped by banana leaves and steamed for 60 to 70 minutes. More fat meat is used in making chopped meat paste than in pork paste. Chopped meat paste are fried instead of steamed. 1kg of meat turns out 1 kg of pork paste while we often have 1.2 kg of chopped meat paste from 1 kg of meat.”
A: Pork paste is indispensable in a Vietnamese feast, especially during holidays or Tet, the traditional New Year festival.
A: In his email to VOVWorld this week, Lianan Safitri from Indonesia asked about traditional clothing for Vietnamese men.
B: Great question, Lianan! While the áo dài (long tunic) is commonly associated with Vietnamese women, men also wear a male version of the áo dài, typically paired with loose trousers and a khăn đóng (traditional turban). It’s often seen at formal events, weddings, and cultural celebrations.
A: Once again, a huge thank you to all our listeners for your letters, emails, and messages! Your feedback and support inspire us to keep bringing you engaging and informative programs.
B: That’s all for this edition of the Letter Box! If you have questions, comments, or requests, don’t hesitate to reach out via email at englishsection@vov.vn and our Facebook fanpage at VOV5 English Service. We love hearing from you! Until next time, keep tuning in to the Voice of Vietnam!