Hello and welcome to VOV’s Letter Box, our weekly feature dedicated to our listeners throughout the world. I’m … .
And I’m…. . It’s nice to be back on the Letter Box again.
A: This week is a festive one for Vietnamese teachers because November 20th has long been a special day for Vietnamese students to show their respect and gratitude to their teachers. We observe November 20th as Vietnam Teachers’ Day.
B: This is really a unique celebration which reflects the Vietnamese tradition of ‘remembering the source of the water we drink’ by honoring teachers and others who work in the education sector. This day is an opportunity for current and former students to express their gratitude to their teachers. On this day, students give their teachers bouquets of flowers or gifts to thank the teachers for giving them education and life skills.
B: Students begin preparing for the celebration a week in advance, and many of them write essays or draw pictures to commemorate the day. Some prepare food and flower arrangements for a classroom party, some deliver gifts to their teachers’ homes, and some take a class trip somewhere with one or more teachers.
A: In Vietnam teaching is a highly-respected profession, and Teachers’ Day is just one of the many ways Vietnamese people show their respect for teachers. In Vietnam we have a saying, "If you want your children to be well-educated, then you should love the teachers" which acknowledges the role teachers play in their children's educational development.
A: On this occasion, local Party and people's committees, in coordination with mass organizations, hold meetings to honour outstanding teachers for their active contributions to the education sector.
B: Vietnam Teachers' Day is also a good occasion for all people, old and young, to refresh good memories of the times they shared and enjoyed with their former teachers.
A: On this occasion we would like to send our best wishes to all Vietnamese teachers and other teachers around the world.
A: Let’s continue our Letter Box with letters and emails from our listeners around the world. We were glad hear that a number of listeners have received certificates of merit for participating in our contest “What do you know about Vietnam?”
B: Radhakrishna Pillai from India wrote: “I have received my certificate of merits and souvenirs from VOV for my participation in the contest “What do you know about Vietnam”. It was a real surprise. Thank you VOV English section for this beautiful and valuable gift. I’m a regular listener to VOV on the internet. Live streaming on internet radio is excellent. I was impressed by your different programs. They are very interesting and informative”.
A: Radhakrishna continued: “Being an information officer in the Government of Kerala and an active media person, I closely follow VOV. I have know that VOV is an important source of information and entertainment. I would like to hear about role of motorcycles in the everyday life of Vietnam”.
B: Thank you Radhakrishna for tuning in to our programs. In Vietnam, on average, every adult owns a motorcycle. Motorcycles are popular around Vietnam and it’s the main vehicle for most Vietnamese people. Honda and Yamaha motorcycles have been the most popular brands in Vietnam for many years.
A: Scooters and motorcycles are central to the culture of Vietnam; farmers ride them to their fields, parents use them to drop the kids off at school, furniture stores use them to deliver beds, and so on.
A: To drive a motorcycle in Vietnam, you need to have a driving license, wear a helmet and must be 18 years old.
B: One of the best ways to explore Vietnam is by riding a motorbike. You can feel and experience the real Vietnam, away from the busy tourist areas, and explore the rich and stunning culture of Vietnam’s countryside, visit small remote minority villages and ride through spectacular mountainous countryside.
A: Feel the wind in your hair and the sense of real freedom, as you make your way through the stunning coastal roads to lush green rice fields, rolling green jungles and the mountainous roads of the legendary Ho Chi Minh trail in the Central Highlands, visit former battle fields, and visit villages where time has almost stood still and where friendly locals are just as interested to meet you as you are to meet them.
A: That’s a short take on Vietnamese motorbikes and tours around Vietnam on motorbikes. Rabisanka Bosu of India listened to our broadcast on November 6 on the frequency of 9730 from 16:00 to 16:30. He rated SINPO at 34423. Listening to our news and stories about the Vietnamese-Chinese relationship broadcast on November 6th, he wrote: “I came to learn that Vietnam and China have agreed to push forward their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership for the development of bilateral relations. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong said that the younger generation will promote the values of the Vietnam-China friendship and neighborliness which should be passed on from generation to generation”.
A: Thank you, Rabisanka Bosu, for tuning in to VOV. We’re happy to learn that you have received QSL cards and souvenirs from VOV. Also from India, Deekay Dimple reported listening to our program on November 15 at 1614UTC on the frequency of 9550. He wrote: “I listened to your Sunday program. I very much enjoyed listening to today’s program about a one day tour of Ho Chi Minh city to explore its lifestyle, food, culture and lots more. I enjoyed the program very much and know more about Ho Chi Minh city. I find the program very interesting”.
B: Thank you very much for your report. We’ll send you a QSL card to confirm it. We continued receiving reports from Richard Nowak of the US this week. Also listening to our broadcast on November 15 on the frequency of 6175khz from 1:00 to 1;27 UTC, Richard shared his joy at listening to our story about the markets in Ho Chi Minh City. He wrote: “A great segment on the market in Ho Chi Minh City. The announcer explained there are 2 seasons but travel is also good during the raining season as it only rains for a short time. This interesting program took us for a tour of a food market, and to Free Alley or Alley 96, named after the locals offering free services to the poor this is great. This program was fun and informative. I felt like I was there”.
A: We’d like to acknowledge letters and emails from Jurgen Kurger in Germany, Richard Lemke in Canada and Taslim Rocket in Bangladesh. We’ll send you QSL cards, frequency lists, and program schedules soon.
B: We welcome your feedback at: English section, VOV World Service, Voice of Vietnam, 45 Ba Trieu Street, Hanoi, Vietnam. Or you can email us at: englishsection@vov.org.vn. Tune in to additional English programs on our website at vovworld.vn. Good bye. See you next time.