 Listeners' corner at VOVWorld's English section |
B: In October, you can explore Hanoi's historical landmarks, culture, and urban life without worrying about the weather.
A: How’s the weather where you are? We hope you’re also enjoying some nice weather. Now let’s look at some listeners’ letters.
B: Here’s a letter from Joandric Avila Fernandez in Costa Rica. “Warmest greetings to all of you, my dear and most appreciated friends of Vietnamese radio. I hope you are all in good health.”
A: This letter was sent on August 26th and we just received it. Mr. Fernandez expressed his deep regret at the passing of Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. He said: “My heartfelt solidarity goes out to all the Vietnamese people. I wish the best for Vietnam under the leadership of General Secretary To Lam. May Mr. Trong’s legacy of honesty and honor endure forever.”
B: Thank you very much for your message. We note your comment that reception on the frequency of 12020 kHz is usually better than on 9840 kHz.
A: I’m reading a letter sent by Dr. Jyrki Hytonen of Finland on August 27th. “As a forest researcher I’m interested in nature and forests in Vietnam. I also study afforestation. I vacationed in Vietnam for two weeks before the COVID pandemic and saw with my own eyes the fast development of your country. I’m interested in learning more. And VOV is a good way to find out what’s going on in Vietnam. I listen to VOV in English and visit your webpage. I also listen to some of your programs in Spanish online to refresh my skills.”
B: We’re happy to have a letter from you after such a long time. Your photo at the Saigon Botanical Garden is very nice. We hope you can visit Vietnam again to study Vietnam’s diverse nature and forests.
A: Listener Frank Bresonik of Germany asked us about popular destinations in Vietnam in the winter.
B: Vietnam has a varied topography and spans 15 degrees of latitude. When the northern region is experiencing winter, with snow on some of the mountain peaks, the southern beaches are still enjoying tropical weather. Take your pick.
 Letters from Dr. Jyrki Hytonen of Finland and Chinmoy Mahato, President of the Guide International Radio Listeners Club in India |
A: I just read some good news on the online travel website Agoda. Interest in Vietnam’s northern travel destinations remains high despite the heavy damage caused by typhoon Yagi.
B: Accommodation searches on Agoda from August to October for Hanoi, Sapa (a mountain resort town in Lao Cai province), the superb mountains of Ha Giang province, and famous Ha Long Bay (between the historic port city of Hai Phong and magical Cat Ba Island) were 4% higher than last year.
A: Lam Vu, country director of Agoda in Vietnam, said visitors are returning to these places as clean-up and rebuilding efforts continue. Agoda has also recorded an 84% increase in interest in Christmas and New Year travel to Vietnam.
B: The Lonely Planet travel guide has rated southern Vietnam one of the world's most attractive destinations in November, when the dry season arrives.
A: In an article called "Where to Go in November? The Best Places to Visit Next Month," Lonely Planet ranked southern Vietnam in its top ten global destinations and one of the two best for relaxation.
B: Southern Vietnam’s outstanding destinations are Phu Quoc Island, Vung Tau, Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta, and Tay Ninh. Each offers stunning natural landscapes and rich cultural, historical, and spiritual features.
A: Phu Quoc, Vietnam's largest island, has been capturing international attention and earning accolades from prestigious global tourism awards. At the 2024 World’s Best Awards by Travel Leisure, Phu Quoc was named the second-best island in the world, after the Maldives. In November, the beginning of Phu Quoc's most beautiful season, tourists can enjoy kayaking, snorkeling, and other marine sports in the crystal-clear waters of what has been nicknamed “Pearl Island”.
B: Though often overlooked, Tay Ninh is another hidden gem for tourists who want to explore Vietnam's indigenous culture, intangible cultural heritage, and vestiges of the war in Vietnam. A highlight is Ba Den mountain, the highest mountain in southern Vietnam at 986 meters above sea level. It’s a sacred mountain, steeped in legends.
B: Here’s a letter from Chinmoy Mahato of India and the flyer for a Radio Exhibition and Listeners Conference that his Guide International Radio Listeners Club will host to celebrate World Radio Day on February 13th, 2025.
A: It’s interesting to learn that your club is preparing for this event. We’ll send you some stickers or posters of Vietnam and VOV that you can exhibit at the event.
B: Mahato has a collection of 512 radio sets in his radio museum. He said: “I often listen to your program and enjoy Current Affairs, Village Life, Culture, Discovery Vietnam, music, and particularly the Letter Box.”
A: Please tell us more about your collection of radio sets. I’m sure other DX’ers would like to hear about it.
B: Hayato Furukawa of Japan sent us a letter and reception report for a program on September 9th on the frequency of 9840 kHz, with SINPO rated all 4s. He told us he received our QSL card for his previous reception, and he wants to collect more QSL cards with images of Vietnam.
A: You’ll definitely keep receiving VOV verification cards to confirm your reception reports.
 Mong women in Suoi Giang, Yen Bai province collect Shan Tuyet tea leaves. (photo: baodantoc.vn) |
B: A recent story about “Vietnamese Goods Week” in Paris caught our listeners’ interest. Some mentioned that Vietnam’s ST25 rice has been rated the best in the world. How about Vietnam’s other agricultural staples, like coffee, tea, cashew nuts, and fruit?
A: Just on October 29 the special flavour of Shan Tuyet tea from Vietnam’s Lao Cai province won the acclaim of the judging panel at the “Teas of the World” international competition.
B: The Agency for the Valorization of Agricultural Products (AVPA) in France gave bronze awards to Hong Lien Son Red Dragon tea and Hoang Lien Son Memory tea. An award was also given to Hoang Lien Son Waterfall tea, which is also from Lao Cai province.
B: Shan Tuyet tea was the first five-star OCOP product of Lao Cai exported to the US and Europe. An awards ceremony will be held on November 4 in France.
A: In the previous “Teas of the World” international competition, Vietnamese teas from the northern provinces of Thai Nguyen, Ha Giang, Yen Bai, Son La, and Lai Chau won gold, silver, and bronze awards.
 Shan Tuyet tea trees in Yen Bai are listed as heritage trees. (photo: VNA) |
B: Shan Tuyet tea from Suối Giàng in Yen Bai province has always been a top-ranked tea. Local people say it’s a "5-best" tea: hardest to grow and harvest; cleanest because of the climate, environment, and care of the growers; rarest because of its low yield; most delicious; and most expensive.
A: Vietnamese rice, tea, coffee, and many types of fruit are sold around the world. Have you ever tried any kind of Vietnamese food or beverage? We would love to hear about your experience.
B: We welcome your feedback at English Service, VOVWORLD, the Voice of Vietnam, 45 Ba Trieu street, Hanoi, Vietnam. You can email us at englishsection@vov.vn. Once again, thank you all for listening. Goodbye!