A: Also commenting on our Letter Box segment last week, Shri Bhagwan Sharma of India wrote: “Your story about Vietnamese tiger balm was very informative. The ingredients used to make this balm are similar to Indian home-made palm oil. It provides quick relief from all types of pain without any side effects. Thanks to VOV’s staff for their hard work and dedication in sharing such information with us. I appreciate your work.”

President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam at Ba Dinh square, Hanoi, on September 2, 1945. (Photo collected by hanoimoi.com.vn)

B: This week VOVWORLD received more than 360 letters, emails, and phone calls from listeners in 34 countries and territories.

A: Diego Echeverri of Colombia wrote he is extremely interested in VOV’s programs and stories about Vietnamese culture. He expressed his hope of visiting Vietnam one day.

B: Hugo Longhiof Rosario, Argentina, shared his interest in our story about the Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Museum in the central highlands province of Dak Lak. He wrote: “The museum is a good reason to visit Vietnam.”

A: Thank you very much for tuning into ourbroadcasts and following us on the internet. We sincerely hope to welcome you toVietnam one day, once we have contained the pandemic.

The Provisional Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was inaugurated after the success of the 1945 August Revolution. (Photo collected by VNA)

B: Many listeners have congratulated Vietnam on the anniversary of the 1945 August Revolution and the upcoming National Day on September 2. Armando Francisco Higueradel Reyo, a representative of the Colectivo PAIS Group in Mexico wrote: “Remembering the historic 1945 August Revolution in Vietnam is very important to people who aspire for peace and social progress. Amid the current pandemic, the image of a united Vietnam overcoming difficulties brings us confidence and strength.”

A: Ivan Lebedev of Russia wrote: “I hope the pandemic will be contained soon and your interesting program ‘Letter Box’ will be dedicated to good news from around the world and Vietnam. I’m a great fan of Vietnamese music and I like the tune you use at the beginning of ‘Letter Box’. It’s nice music. I think it’s traditional Vietnamese music which makes me think of a small Vietnamese village on a calm river, with lotus lanterns swimming on the water. It’s a pleasant musical vision.”

B: Ivan, you’re very close. It’s a tune from a Quan Ho folk song called “There are 36 types of birds in the forest.”

A: Quan Ho is an art form that combines music, lyrics, and costumes, and embodies the distinctive culture of the people who live in the region formerly called Kinh Bac, now Hanoi’s neighboring province of Bac Ninh province. It’s common at rituals, festivals, competitions, and informal gatherings where guests perform several verses for the hosts before they bid farewell.

B: In September 2009, Quan Ho was recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage. Bac Ninh has about 370 Quan Ho villages and more than 380 Quan Ho clubs with over 10,000 members.

A: There are more than 400 Quan Ho folk songs, sung with many melody variations, that express the longing and sadness of separation and the happiness of lovers’ reunions.

B: Quan Ho songs reflect the spirit, philosophy, and identity of communities in this region, and help forge social bonds within and between villages.

A: Though the popular Quan Ho folk song “There are 36 types of birds in the forest” which we use for the Letter Box theme music doesn’t say what the 36 types are, but it does tell a story about birds, plants, and the love of nature.

B: Many listeners this week shared their condolences with Vietnam over the spreading COVID-19 pandemic here. They expressed their hope and belief that the consensus, determination, and effort of Vietnam’s leaders and people will soon contain the pandemic.

Businessman  Hoang Tuan Anh. (Photo: courtersy of Hoang Tuan Anh)

A: Rin Keo, a listener in Cambodia, asked about oxygen ATMs in Vietnam.

B: Well, the “oxygen ATM” initiative is the brainchild of Hoang Tuan Anh, who created the “rice ATM” that delivered free rice to people in need during last year’s Covid-19 outbreak.

A: To make the initiative work, volunteers stand by at “oxygen ATMs” around the clock to receive requests from people who are in desperate need of oxygen machines and tanks of oxygen. The volunteers deliver the needed items between 8am and 5pm each day, as there is currently a 6pm to 6am curfew.

B: The “oxygen ATMs” provide free oxygen machines and oxygen tanks to COVID-19 patients who are being treated at home.The initiative is currently being expanded to all districts of Ho Chi Minh City.

A: Apparently it’s true that “In times of trouble, wise solutions will appear”. During this pandemic, many creative ideas have appeared to help meetthe unprecedented challenges facing the community, and encourage the community to stay strong and positive.

B: Vietnamese musicians recently launched an online charity campaign to support a local food bank.

A: The 'Muzik Dap Dich' (Stamping Out Covid With Music) charity campaign was begun by a group who call themselves the SpaceSpeakers.

B: The group called upon rappers, dancers, and producers to create music videos using a beat the SpaceSpeakers produced. For each video they select and post on their Facebook page, the group sends 100 kilograms of rice to the Ho Chi Minh City Fatherland Front Committee.

A: In the first 72 hours, the campaign has sent 7,000 kilos of rice to HCMC and attracted a number of well-known rappers and singers.

A: One founder of the campaign said the campaign is literally about using music to stamp out the pandemic and they hope their 'music vaccine' will help heal listeners’ spirits and revive the positive energy of the community.

B: Thank you all for tuning in to VOV’s English broadcast and leaving your comments on our Facebook fanpage. We always 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. Thank you. Goodbye until next time.