B: The contest’s winners, who won a free trip to Vietnam, were announced in 2020, but because of travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they have been unable to get a flight to Vietnam before now.
A: The Voice of Vietnam presented one 2nd prize to Rabi Sankar Bosu of India, one 3rd prize to C. R. Nurdin of Indonesia, and one of five consolation prizes to Rudy Hartono of Indonesia. The 1st prize winner, Johny Antonio Ramirez Lopez of Peru, will delay receiving his prize until next year, for personal reasons.
 VOV's leaders and staff take photos with the winners of the writing contest "What do you know about Vietnam?" at VOVWorld's office 45 Ba Trieu, Hanoi. |
B: Rabi Sankar Bosu is the founder and President of the New Horizon Radio Listeners’ Club in West Bengal, India. His association with VOV’s English Service began in 1985. He told us that 36 years ago, on a midsummer evening, he happened to pick up the English broadcasts of VOVWorld.
A: Since then he has listened regularly to VOV on shortwave and now often visits our website at vovworld.vn. He sends feedback to VOV on a weekly basis. After 36 years, he has finally met VOV’s staff in Hanoi.
“When I got your invitation to attend the award ceremony I got too much excited. It’s my long dream to visit Vietnam, which is my dream land. I finally come here. Believe me or not, I spent two nights without sleep. It’s my honor to come here to see those faces behind the voices, now in front of me. I’m glad that finally I’m here, the land of Uncle Ho,” Bosu said.
 Rabi Sankar Bosu talks to VOV's reporter. |
B: Between March 15 and August 31 in 2020 the contest received 214 entries from listeners in 33 countries and territories. This was at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Organizing Board awarded 3 prizes for the best stories or slogans about Vietnam’s success in the COVID-19 fight.
Mr. Bosu recalled how he collected information for his entry. “You asked 5 questions. I researched the Internet. Thanks to VOV’s English broadcast I collected all the material. I also browsed Vietnamese newspaper on the Internet to collect relevant information. Your extra question “Vietnam fights against COVID-19” was very interesting. When I made research on this topic I researched a lot on how Vietnam fight against this global disease. How they protected their people. The number of death was very small.”
 From left to right: Rudy Hartono of Indonesia, C.R. Nurdin of Indonesia, and Rabi Sankar Bosu of India visit Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh province on December 29, 2022. (Photo: VOV5) |
A: VOV’s writing contest is held every 5 years for listeners of VOVWorld’s programs in 13 languages. We hope our next contest, in 2025, will attract more participants.
“I say to my fellow listeners in India, particularly in West Bengal where I live, and others across the world don’t give up hope. I first participated in this contest in 2015 but I failed. But since then everyday I visited your website and many websites, VOV’s English Section, Internet stream helped me a lot to collect information. Don’t give up hope you’ll come here like me one day.”
B: While in Vietnam the contest winners will visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Temple of Literature in Hanoi; Ha Long Bay, a World Natural Heritage in Quang Ninh province, and the Bai Dinh-Trang An Tourism Complex, a World Cultural and Natural Heritage in Ninh Binh province.
 The men take a boat trip to visit Bai Dinh-Trang An Tourism Complex, a World Cultural and Natural Heritage in Ninh Binh province. |
A: We’ll feature their adventures in Vietnam in later programs. Right now, let’s listen to a cheerful tune to say goodbye to 2022 and welcome a new year 2023 full of happiness.
B: We have received a number of postcards and New Year’s greetings from listeners. Gerry Neumann of England wished the staff of the VOV English Service a very happy Christmas and best wishes for 2023. He wrote: “I’m sorry I haven’t written much this year. But I still enjoy listening to VOV online these days.”
A: Alan Roe of England sent us a postcard of “Snow on Trafalgar Square”, which shows a red double-decker London bus, Big Ben, lamp posts, and the bronze lion sculptures at the base of Nelson's Column – all blanketed by snow.
 Postcards from Gerry Neumann and Alan Roe of England |
B: Amir Jameel of Pakistan sent us e-cards saying: “Merry Christmas! May your days ahead be as vibrant as this festive season! May you shine as bright as the Christmas lights because you deserve it all! Have a great year and a wonderful life ahead!”
A: For the New Year, he said: “New is the year, new are the hopes, new is the resolution, new are the spirits, and new are my warm wishes just for you. Have a promising and fulfilling New Year 2023!”
B: Jayanta Chakrabarty wrote: “As a regular long-time listener from India, I’d like to send all the members of VOV my best wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May you all enjoy this glorious festival with your family with peace, love, and staying in good health!”
A: Ratan Kumar Paul of India sent us an audio clip of his wish: “New year, new days, new hope, and new thought! It’s new opportunity. I’ll be forever grateful for all the chances, happiness, cheer, and prosperity in 2023 for all people of the world.”
B: Thank you all, dear listeners, for your warm wishes for VOV’s staff. Your sentiments are the best encouragement for us to keep improving our programs. We hope we can welcome you to Vietnam and to our station one day.
 New Year's greetings from Gerry Neumann and Alan Roe of England |
A: Fumito Hokamura of Japan said Vietnam is one of the countries he likes most. VOV shortwave radio is very interesting.
B: Long Tong of Cambodia wants to know about popular tourist venues in Vietnam. Some listeners in western countries told us that they want to escape the winter to spend a holiday in a tropical country like Vietnam to relax by the sea, sunbath, and play sea games.
B: A recent study conducted by UK luxury holiday company Destination2 listed Nha Trang beach and Vung Tau beach in Vietnam among the top 10 most popular beaches worldwide. It compiled a list of the most popular beaches on TikTok using their hashtags before ranking them based on the number of views.
A: Nha Trang beach in the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa ranks third with nearly 65 million views, while Vung Tau beach in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau racks 62 million views.
B: Nha Trang is renowned for being one of the top beach holiday destinations in Vietnam, where visitors are able to enjoy a range of activities such as boat cruises, hot air balloon rides over the scenic coast, and scuba diving. In a poll by TripAdvisor in 2015 Nha Trang was named among the leading 10 tourist cities in the world as voted by travelers.
A: Vung Tau province is one of the most interesting destinations and is much loved due to its extensive array of beaches. Tourists typically prefer sightseeing and going swimming in the clean water.
B: We encourage you to visit Con Dao islands which are about 200 km from Vung Tau. Beside its interesting history, Con Dao’s natural beauty attracts many tourists inside and outside of the country. The majority of the island is covered with green forest, which is the habitat of diverse animal species.
A: The place has many sandy clean beaches that you can dive and watch gorgeous coral reefs and aquatic animals. Con Dao Museum is one of the top 7 most impressive museum in Vietnam. Indoor and outdoor exhibitions clearly demonstrate the life and production of the islanders.
B: Moreover, amazing unknown stories of political prisoners during colonialism will blow your mind.
 A New Year's wish from Amir Jameel of Pakistan to VOV's staff and all listeners |
A: That concludes today’s program. 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 platforms, 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.