Hoang Su Phi rice terraces in Ha Giang. (Photo: VOV) The best time for sightseeing the ripening rice here is early October, when rice terraces turn yellow.

B: The weather in October in the north experiences significant changes as it enters the autumn season. The temperatures begin to drop, ranging from 20° to 25°C . The region sees a higher chance of rainfall, with occasional showers and cloudy days.

A: Despite the occasional rain, October showcases the stunning beauty of the North, with landscapes adorned in vibrant autumn colors. Cities like Hanoi and natural wonders like Ha Long Bay offer a captivating experience for travelers during this time, making it an ideal season for travel in the northern region of Vietnam.

B: During October, Central Vietnam experiences a transition from the rainy season to a drier period. The weather is generally mild and pleasant, with warm temperatures ranging from 24° to 30°C. You can expect a mix of sunny days and occasional showers, so it is advisable to carry a light rain jacket or umbrella.

A: Popular destinations like Hoi An, Da Nang, and Hue offer a variety of attractions to explore, from ancient temples and historical sites to stunning beaches and delicious cuisine. It is a great time to visit Central Vietnam and immerse yourself in its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty.

B: In the southern region of Vietnam, October marks the transition from the rainy season to the dry season. During October, the weather in the south of Vietnam is generally warm and humid. The rainy season starts to taper off, and you can expect less rain compared to the previous months.

A: Temperatures typically range from 24° to 32°C, with an average around 28°C.  It is still a relatively hot and muggy time of year, but you can expect some relief from the intense rains of the previous months.

In recent years, Pu Luong in Thanh Hoa province has become a popular name among foreign tourists.

B: Overall, October is a good time to visit Vietnam, as the weather becomes more pleasant. It is advisable to check the local weather forecast for more accurate and up-to-date information.

A: In a correspondence sent to VOV this week, Diego Echeverri of Colombia wrote: “I listen to your program on the website and I really like your programs. VOV is one of the stations that I love most, I hope to continue to listen to such wonderful programs.”

B: Liu Fan of China thanked VOV for sending congratulations to Chinese listeners on the occasion of China’s National Day, October 1. “I’m very happy. Recently, Chinese media covered a Vietnamese swimmer competing in ASIAD 19 in China. He finished last but he did not give up, I really admire that spirit.” Liu Fan expressed his interest in Vietnam’s Mid-Autumn Festival and the traditional autumn treats which he said is also a traditional festival in China and throughout east and southeast Asia.

A: Yes, in Vietnam, we do organize the Mid-Autumn Festival and it is one of the major festivals in our country. Stories about the Mid-Autumn Festival have been recently covered in our programs and are now available on our website vovworld.vn.

B: In an email to VOV this week, Toyama Yoshihiro of Japan asked about seasonal diseases in Vietnam at this time of the year.

A: During the recent transition period from summer to autumn, a time that can cause the spread of disease in many localities across the country, provinces and cities strived to control the seasonal diseases, including digestive, respiratory, hand‑foot‑mouth disease, conjunctivitis (pink eye) and dengue fever which are the most common diseases during this period.

B: This year, conjunctivitis (pink eye) and dengue fever have spread widely throughout Vietnam, causing great concern to the public and also the health sector.

A: Hari Santosa of Indonesia wrote that he wanted to learn more about the automobile industry in Vietnam, particularly VinFast and its growing market.

B: Last week, VinFast, the electric vehicle (EV) maker of Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup said it plans to expand in 50 markets globally by the end of 2024.

A: It also revealed a plan to set up an assembling plant in India – the third largest automobile market in the world. Some 150‑200 million USD will be splashed out on the Indian plant, which is designed with the capacity of 50,000 vehicles a year in its first phase.

The VinFast pavilion at the Geneva International Motor Show Qatar 2023. (Photo: VinFast)

B: According to Le Thi Thu Thuy, VinFast Global General Director, VinFast has an ambitious plan to build a green future, and its business result in the last quarter is only an initial step. She said a feasible plan was outlined to ensure that VinFast is able to make bold steps to become a global company.

A: Many listeners told us that they wanted or planned to visit Vietnam and lauded Vietnam for its rapid tourism recovery and development. Sok Sereyroth of Cambodia asked about the growth of tourism in Vietnam since the beginning of this year.

B: Vietnam’s tourism industry could achieve its goal of welcoming 12‑13 million visitors by the end of this year, according to Deputy General Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Pham Van Thuy.

A: Thuy said in the first nine months, foreign arrivals in Vietnam exceeded the set target of 8 million by 11%. Recently, Vietnam’s more open visa policy has created favorable conditions to welcome foreign visitors.

B: According to the VNAT, Vietnam’s tourism sector has recovered rapidly since the beginning of this year. In the past nine months, foreign and domestic arrivals reached 8.9 and 93.5 million, respectively, bringing in revenue of 22 billion USD.

A: Ashik Eqbal Tokon of Bangladesh expressed his interest in our story about the braised fish of Vu Dai village. “I’m writing to express my sincere appreciation for your recent program Letter Box of 27 September 2023 on braised fish in Vu Dai village, Ha Nam province. I learned a great deal about this delicious and traditional Vietnamese dish, and I was particularly interested to learn about the unique cooking methods and ingredients that make it so special.”

B: “Overall, I found your program to be informative, engaging, and well-produced. I learned a lot about braised fish in Vu Dai village, and I am now even more eager to learn about more delicious dishes from VOV. Thank you for sharing this important part of Vietnamese culture with the world.”

A: Thank you for your very enthusiastic feedback on our program. To learn more about Vietnamese dishes, check out the Food Delight segment on our website vovworld.vn.

B: Vicentiu Gheorghe of Romania sent us a long story on the development of the Vietnam-Romania bilateral ties which reflects his in‑depth understanding of the issue.

A: Annis Chan told us a very interesting story about the sale of a painting by Vietnamese painter Mai Trung Thu at Bonhams Southeast Asia Art Sale.

B: He wrote: “Le Collier”, a never-before-seen painting by celebrated Vietnamese artist Mai Trung Thu, was in the top lot at Bonhams Southeast Asian Modern and Contemporary Art sale held on October 4 in Hong Kong. Painted in Paris and displayed in Uruguay by the seller for decades, the work has finally come full circle back to Asia. It sold to an Asian private collector for 3,306,000 HKD.”

A: He also mentioned the sale of “Hanoi Trees”, painted by Tran Trung Hau in 2022. “A new auction record was set for one of the most respected Vietnamese artists Tran Luu Hau, whose painting “Hanoi Trees” sold for 702,500 HKD, four times higher than its estimate (170,000-270,000 HKD) and far surpassing the artist’s previous record of 481,800 HKD realized at Bonhams in December 2022.”

B: Thank you all for your interest in VOV, for sharing your love of our country, and for sending us your feedback. We hope to see you soon in Vietnam.

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

B: Check out our VOV Media App, available on both the IOS and Android platform, to hear our broadcasts. We look forward to your feedback on the mobile version of vovworld.vn. Once again, thank you all for listening. Goodbye!