B: The 3-part question was: “How do you access the Voice of Vietnam’s programs? Which VOV programs do you like best? And why?”

A: We received some great answers which expressed listeners’ love and support for VOV.

B: Our listeners tuned in to our programs using traditional short- and medium-wave receivers as well as through modern media channels such as the VOVWorld website, VOV’s mobile media app, and podcasts.

A: Johnny Antonio Ramírez López of Peru, a listener to our Spanish service, said: “I listen to VOV’s program conveniently at any time of the day on my smart phone, notepad, or computer using an internet connection. I appreciate the loud and clear transmission quality of VOV’s programs.”

Ashik Eqbal Tokon of Bangladesh is a member of the Spectator's Association Bangladesh

B: Rudi Hartono, an Indonesian listener, told us: “I have been listening to VOV every morning and evening on shortwave for 32 years. When I miss a shortwave program, I listen to it on VOV’s website and social network. It’s convenient.”

A: Jayanta Chakrabarty, an Indian listener to our English service, said: “A regular listener since 1973, I’ve followed VOV's transformation with awe and fascination. I’m grateful to the Voice of Vietnam for giving listeners a variety of platforms to access its programs – shortwave radio, live streaming, smartphone, Facebook, and YouTube. I prefer shortwave radio and internet radio. It's a delight to feel the pulse of Vietnam through shortwave. It seems so natural and personal to be picking up radio waves from far off Vietnam propagating news and events and different aspects of life in Vietnam.”

B: Listeners told us about their favorite features on VOV and the reasons. Most of them mentioned two or more of the following features: Current Affairs, News, Discovery Vietnam, Village Life, Colorful Vietnam—Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups, Culture, Society, Economy, the Saturday Report, and Personality of the Week.

A: Many of our listeners are interested in stories about Vietnamese cuisine, music, and lifestyle. Jacques Augustin, a French listener to our French service, wrote: “I’ve been listening to the French section of VOV since 1968. I like listening on shortwave more than on the Internet. VOV’s programming has enhanced the France-Vietnam relationship. I regularly email my reception reports to the French section. I mostly listen to the news for an update on the political, economic, and cultural events in Vietnam. My favorite program is the Sunday Music show. I have a relaxing moment exploring Vietnamese music of all genres, including folk songs, which are my favorite.”

B: Listeners expressed their love for VOV and its broadcasters. Xue Fei, a Chinese listener, said: “Listening to the Chinese program on VOV is an indispensable part of my life. I’m learning more about the history, economy, and culture of your beautiful country.

A: Dietmar Wolf, a German listener, said: “It’s amazing that the broadcasters speak German very well and the selection of music is wonderful. They are the reasons I listen to your program regularly. Current Affairs discusses urgent issues, while other features – Village Life and Discovery Vietnam – take me on “tours through the ears”. We stay at home and listen to sounds from a remote country. I nurtured a dream of visiting Vietnam and it came true with my trip to Vietnam in 2018. VOV has done well as a channel of external diplomacy to introduce Vietnam to the world.”

B: There were too many good answers to read them all on the air. Once again, thank you all very much for your love and support of VOV.

A: We’ll continue now with reception reports we received from listeners this week. Ashik Eqbal Tokon of Bangladesh said he was very happy to learn about Vietnam’s national flag from our Saturday Report on November 28.

B: He wrote: “Thank you for your detailed report explaining the meaning of the red flag with a yellow star. Red represents Blood, Revolutionary Enthusiasm and Victory. Yellow symbolizes Vietnamese people’s skin and the bright soul of the Vietnamese nation. The five-pointed star symbolizes the national unity of five social classes: intellectuals, workers, farmers, business people, and soldiers fighting on the same battlefield for national independence and freedom.”

A:  Ashik said he shares the sentiment of Doctor Le Van Ty, who said: “The flag embraces the national soul and represents national unity, independence, freedom, self-reliance, and peace for Vietnamese people.”

The second edition of VOV SAB Club news

B: Ashik Eqbal Tokon, a member of the VOV Spectators' Association of Bangladesh, informed us that they have begun sending the printed edition of VOV SAB Batayan, the six-month newsletter of VOV SAB, to members and other shortwave radio stations.

A: Thank you very much for sending us a photo of the second print edition of VOV SAB Batayan, issued on November 2, 2020. We were delighted to see our writing contest “What do you know about Vietnam?’ featured in your club news.

B: We’re eagerly waiting to welcome some of these listeners to Vietnam. Once the COVID-19 pandemic is under control, the contest winners will be contacted to arrange their free trip to Vietnam.

A: Shivendul Paul of India told us that he listened to some of VOV’s English programs in November and received good reception at 1600-1630 UTC on the frequency of 7220 Khzon a Grundig YB 80 receiver.

A: He said he visits VOV’s Facebook page and website regularly and finds there many interesting news stories. Paul said: “I love the natural beauty of Vietnam. My dream is to visit Vietnam one day and meet with you at the Voice of Vietnam headquarters.”

B: You’re welcome to visit Vietnam. It’s a pity that the novel coronavirus pandemic has made it difficult for people to travel as freely as before. We hope we will have COVID-19 vaccines available soon. Until then you can continue listening to VOV as you work from home.

A: Somnath Biswas, an Indian artist currently working as a senior art teacher, told us that he has exhibited his acrylic and oil paintings many places in India and abroad. He hopes to exhibit his paintings some day at a Hanoi art gallery.

B: Somnath, please contact the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Center in Hanoi. They will help you organize an exhibition. The Cultural Center is an overseas branch of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations in New Delhi. It promotes Indian yoga, dance, music, and literature through classes and workshops.

A: Indian listener Samarendra Biswas asked us: “Do you have any thoughts about broadcasting in Bengali for Indians and Bangladeshis?”

B: VOVWorld Service is not currently planning to record programs in Bengali, but if the number of requests should increase, VOV will consider adding some Bengali broadcasts to its services. VOV is always hoping to expand its services to wider listeners and hope to receive more support from you.

A: Rakesh at rakeeshradha@gmail.com wrote on our website that he is a shortwave radio listener since 1980 and has heard VOV programs since his childhood. His radio broke and is being repaired. He read about our contest on our website, but unfortunately the contest deadline had already closed.

B: Michael Kilgore asked us about a tour of villages in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak. He said had read a VOV story from 2015 about a tour of ethnic minority villages in DakLak, where visitors could ride an elephant and learn how local people hunt and tame elephants.

A: It’s easy to book a day tour in advance of your visit or right on the day you arrive in DakLak province. Elephant rides for tourists have been discontinued, but elephant owners may offer other services such as allowing tourists to bathe or feed the animals.

B:  In 2018 Animals Asia and Yok Don Park in Dak Lak province signed an agreement to make the park’s elephant tourism service more elephant-friendly. Even without elephant rides, Dak Lak province still offers visitors many fun and exciting activities. 

A: 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.

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

Goodbye until next time.