A: First on our show today, we’d like to welcome Makoto Kawauchi, a 47-year old teacher from Japan, to VOV. We’re very pleased to have received your letter on the VOV broadcast online from 18:00 to 18:30 on November 9. We’ll send you a QSL card to confirm your report as well as our program schedule and frequency list. We hope to hear more from you in the future.
B: In an email to VOV this week, Jayanta Chakrabarty of India wrote: “I’m happy to report on your English broadcast on November 20, 2017 via shortwave radio. The signal strength was good. As usual, program content was informative and education. The Voice of Vietnam is my main source of information and events taking place in the beautiful country of Vietnam and they are presented in the most authentic way. With its vast range of subjects covering news, sports, economy, culture and lifestyle, among others, the Voice of Vietnam makes listening an exciting experience.”
 Happy teachers on Vietnam Teachers' Day |
A: Commenting on our report on Vietnam Teachers’ Day, he wrote: “It’s good to hear that the Vietnamese government gives due recognition to teachers who are the creators of the future citizens of Vietnam. there honorable service contributes immensely towards development of high quality human resources in meeting international standards and integration.”
B: Thank you, Jayanta, for your detailed feedback. We’ll confirm your report with a QSL card and send you some Vietnamese stamps. Commenting on our music show dedicated to Vietnamese teachers on November 18, Miss Karobi Hazarika of India wrote: “As a regular listener of your broadcasts, I would like to tell you that I’m very much enjoying your programs. I had heard the “Weekend Music Session” program today and very much pleased with listening to wonderful Vietnamese songs dedicated to all the teachers of Vietnam on the occasion of Vietnam Teachers’ Day. The songs sung by students played in today’s show were really outstanding. As a teacher I really appreciated it.”
 Vietnam Teachers' Day is an opportunity for students to pay their gratitude to their teachers |
A: Thank you, Miss Hazarika, for your feedback. Congratulations to you on Teachers’ Day. We don’t know whether India observes a day to honor teachers but in Vietnam, this is an occasion for us to pay respect to our teachers and honor their contributions.
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 pay their gratitude to their teachers. On this day, students give their teachers bouquets of flowers or gifts to thank them for providing both education and life skills.
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 they play in their children's educational development.
B: Vietnam Teachers' Day is also a good occasion for all people, old and young, to recall memories of the times they shared and enjoyed with their former teachers.
A: In his email to VOV, Sutomo Huang of Indonesia reported a reception for the program on November 8 and asked a question about sacred animals of Vietnam.
B: According to Vietnamese belief, the 4 sacred animals namely the dragon, the unicorn, the tortoise and the phoenix symbolize power, intellect, longevity and nobility. For this reason, these animals have been seen in many architectural works. The 4 sacred animals have been mythologized by the Vietnamese.
 The dragon symbolizes power |
A: The images of dragon have been appear in architectural decorations in Royal Palaces, temples, pagodas and tombs. The Vietnamese dragon looks lither and more flowing than in other Asian countries. The S-shaped curves are indispensable. A dragon decorated in pagodas and palaces always has its head up, wide mouth holding a jade, a flame-like crest and body flying together in one movement, creating a close-fitting structure.
B: The image of the dragon has been modified over time. Looking at dragon images on historical relics or architectural pieces, one can guess from which dynasty these items date. The dragon image reflects people’s desire to free themselves from restrictions and limitations. The dragon can fly in the sky, hide in the clouds, swim, walk and crawl. The dragon symbolizes human aspiration for strength and freedom to live a better life.
 The unicorn represents prestige, peace and good luck |
A: The unicorn, the second mythical animal of the 4 sacred animals represents prestige, peace and good luck. The unicorn has a strange appearance, half dragon-half mammal; sometimes it has only one horn, which never hurts anybody and which symbolizes mercy. The Vietnamese believe that the unicorn is a strong and faithful animal, suitable for guarding pagodas and places of worship.
 The tortoise is the symbol of strength and longevity |
B: The third animal is the tortoise, the symbol of strength and longevity. There is a myth about the tortoise god, who helped King An Duong Vuong build Co Loa citadel on the outskirts of Hanoi. The famous Hoan Kiem Lake or Lake of the Restored Sword in the center of Hanoi is associated with a myth about King Le Loi, who returned the sword to the tortoise god after defeating foreign invaders.
A: Tortoise imagery can be seen in pagodas, temples and shrines. In the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university built in 1070, there are 82 steles of doctors placed on the backs of stone tortoises to underscore the importance of learning. According to the ancient Viet belief, the tortoise is the embodiment of firmness, longevity and endurance. In the early 15th century with the development of Confucianism, the Le dynasty built these doctors’ steles to honor those with high academic records and preserve the tradition of learning to pass on to the next generations.
 The phoenix is a beautiful and noble bird. |
B: Finally, the phoenix is a beautiful and noble bird. The Viet people believe that a phoenix bodes well for those areas where it settles. The combination of the dragon and phoenix represent lovers’ happiness, good luck, position and fame. At any time, images of the 4 sacred animals are integral parts of Vietnam’s culture, reflecting their desire for peace, prosperity and happiness.
A: This week, Bhaikan Hazarika of India expressed his interest in our “Colorful Vietnam-Vietnam’s 54 Ethnic Group” program about pen pipe of the Thai ethnic minority in Vietnam. He wrote: “The pen-pipe is a traditional musical instrument of Vietnam’s several ethnic minorities. I came to know lots more facts about pen-pipe through this program.”
A: Next is a letter from Malik Allah Bachaya Khokhar of Sungat Radio Listeners’ Club in Pakistan. He wrote: “I am a regular listener of your English service. I listen to your program daily. All the programs are informative and interesting. I like them very much. These programs are the source of information of Vietnam and the whole world. Reception of the program is excellent.”
B: We’d also like to acknowledge letters and emails from Hannu Kiiski of Finland, Richard Nowak of the US, KP Muneer of UAE, and Eddy Prabowo of Indonesia. We greatly appreciate your feedback and comments on the technical aspects of our programming. We’ll confirm your reports with QSL cards soon.
A: We welcome your feedback at: English section, VOVworld, Radio the Voice of Vietnam, 45 Ba Trieu Street, Hanoi, Vietnam. Or you can email us at: englishsection@vov.org.vn. You’re invited to visit us online at vovworld.vn, where you can hear both live and recorded programs. Check out our VOV Media App available on both IOS and Android platforms to hear our live broadcasts. We look forward to your feedback on the mobile version of vovworld.vn. Once again, thank you. Good bye until next time.