The Turtle Tower at Hoan Kiem lake in the heart of Hanoi.

B: We also welcomed some new listeners, who love to tune in far-away stations and discover new places all over the world.

A: Kenneth Smith of the US reported receiving VOV’s radio transmission in the central part of Oregon. On April 5, he heard our Vietnamese program. The overall signal was good, he said, with moderate interference, slight noise, and no propagation. 

B: Thank you, Kenneth, for writing. It’s the magic of shortwave radio that allowed you to catch our program in Vietnamese. We’ll send you our frequency list and our program guide to VOV’s English programs, and are hoping to receive more reception reports from you soon.

A Debashis Gope of India wrote on our website vovworld.vn that he listened to VOV’s English program for the first time on April 13. Since then he has tuned in to the program regularly.

B: Thank you, Debashis. We’re very glad to have many Indian listeners, who tune in to our shortwave programs, visit our website, and write to us almost daily. 

A: Sanil Deep of India told us: “The Sunday show and Saturday music program are two of my favorite programs where I can hear a variety of songs.  My day starts with Voice of Vietnam. Your news and current affairs are up to date, and cover developments inside and outside Vietnam.”

A: According to the Health Ministry, new COVID-19 cases have been increasing over the past two weeks. From April 16 to 22, Vietnam recorded 12,700 new cases, the highest weekly number since the beginning of the year. Most people have mild symptoms and get better on their own. All community and outdoor activities are still taking place normally.  

B: Because of the rapidly increasing number of new cases, the Health Ministry is urging more vaccinations, with priority given to groups at high risk of developing serious symptoms.

A: Since the XBB.1.5 variant of the Omicron strain appeared in Vietnam in January, the Ministry of Health has been warning that it is fast spreading. Experts say the changing weather makes it easier for all viruses to spread. 

B: Early this month Vietnam approved the first traditional medicine for treating respiratory tract viral infections, including flu and mild COVID-19. Sunkovir was announced as the first to treat COVID-19.

Sunkovir is announced as the first Vietnamese drug to treat COVID-19.

A: Dr. Truong Thi Ngoc Lan, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Traditional Medicine Institute and a member of the research team, said that within three days of taking Sunkovir, all patients experienced a rapid reduction in symptoms.

B: None of the study's COVID-19 patients who used Sunkovir experienced severe symptoms. Sunkovir significantly reduced the severity of coughing, shortness of breath, loss of smell and taste, and other symptoms. On average, patients recovered from all symptoms within seven days.

A: The medicine also reduced the need for corticosteroids, cough suppressants, expectorants, anti-histamines, and anti-viral and gastro-intestinal drugs. Dr.Huynh Nguyen Loc, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Traditional Medicine Institute, said that this demonstrates the safety and effectiveness of Vietnamese herbal products in the fight against COVID-19.

B: Many of our listeners say they’re interested in news about Vietnam’s green development. Vilaysuc, a Laotian listener, asked: “Does Vietnam have environment-friendly taxis?”

Electronic Xanh-GM taxi by VinFast.

A: Vietnam had electronic buses since 2021 and electronic taxis were launched early this month. The GSM (Green-Smart-Mobility) company, the first taxi service to use electric cars in Vietnam, launched its Xanh SM taxi service in Hanoi on April 14. All EVs in GSM's fleet are produced by VinFast, a member of the Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup.

B: The firm provides two kinds of service, the standard GreenCar using the VinFast VF e34 model, and the high-end LuxuryCar using the VinFast VF 8.Currently, its fleet comprises 600 e-taxis in Hanoi. In the future, it will add the VinFast VF 5 Plus model to its GreenCar fleet.

A: Vinfast, the first EV company in Vietnam, launched the first electric buses in early 2021. The e-buses are equipped with bus stop announcement screens, free wi-fi, and LCD entertainment screens, and a driver behavior monitoring system, which gives warnings about possible hazards like distracted driving, drowsiness, and signs of fatigue.

B: The Vietnamese taxi market has more than 200 companies led by ride-hailing company Grab, taxi companies VinaTaxi, Vinasun Taxi and the Mai Linh Group. None of them are entirely electric.

Electronic bus VinBus.

A: In mid-June last year, the Đồng Thúy Company which owns Lado Taxi, began using the VinFast e34 to provide taxi services in Lam Dong province. Delivery services company Ahamove, in collaboration with VinFast, last year launched AhaRide in Da Nang, which uses electric scooters to transport passengers. The company plans to have 10,000 electric vehicles by 2025.

B:  Last month VinFast opened stores in Rennes, France. Stores are expected soon in Montpellier, Aix-En-Provence, and other cities. VinFast has already established a presence in Paris, Cologne, Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Oberhausen, Amsterdam, The Hague, and Rotterdam. 

A: VinFast will organise large-scale test-drive events in France, Germany, and the Netherlands to attract new customers with a hands-on experiences of VinFast's products and services.

B: Here’s an email from Lu Dacheng of China, who said: “I often listen to your shortwave broadcast on 9840 khz and 12020  kzh and  visit your website. I know that some ethnic groups in Vietnam celebrate Eid al fitr and the Songkran Festival. The Songkran Festival is also celebrated in Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos.  I learn a lot from your Letter Box program. April is not only a spring month, but also a festival month. I want to say Happy Spring to all friends of the English Section of the Voice of Vietnam.”

A: Thank you very much, Lu, for your good wishes. Vietnam has 54 ethnic groups, who celebrate various festivals throughout the year. People from other countries, of different religions, enjoy the freedom to practice their religion in Vietnam, supported by the local authorities. 

B: Here’s an email from Sutomo Huang of Indonesia, who reported listening to several programs in April on the frequency of 12020 khz and 9840 khz. He said the signal was only fair.

A: KarunaKanta Pal of India emailed us to say: “I like your program’s Current Affairs, news and Letter Box very much. I learn many new things about Vietnam and the world from your programs. Please play a Vietnamese pop song.”

B: Sure thing. This song is our thanks to all of you for your interest in VOV and for sending us your feedback. 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.

A: 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!