 Listeners keep sending seasonal greetings to VOVWORLD with beautiful wishes for the New Year 2026 |
B: As the New Year festive atmosphere still lingers, we continue to receive seasonal greetings from our dear listeners.
A: We’d like to thank Ms. Marline Sherburne of the US for sending us a beautiful Christmas card and a note saying that she just found our station and was so excited. She promises to give us more reception reports in the future, adding “I want to wish the staff of VOV a great holiday and the best year ever in 2026.”
B: Thank you very much Ms. Sherburne and welcome to VOVWORLD. In addition to broadcasting on shortwave, we also share our program on our website at vovworld.vn and our VOV Media app.
A: From the UK, Alan Roe sent us a seasonal greeting postcard with a note: “Thank you for continuing to broadcast your informative and enjoyable programs on shortwave. Wishing you all a very happy Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.”
B: Muhammad Aqeel Bashir of Pakistan wrote: “Warm greetings to you all. I hope everyone at the station is healthy and happy. I am writing this email with heartfelt respect and love, as a loyal listener who truly values your work.”
A: Mr. Bashir continued: “I want to sincerely thank you for the wonderful programs you have shared throughout the year 2025. Every broadcast felt special and meaningful. I can clearly see the hard work, dedication, and tireless efforts you put in day and night to bring such quality programs to listeners like me. Your passion for radio and commitment to your audience truly touch the hearts of everyone who tunes in. Radio listening is a true passion of mine, and Voice of Vietnam has always had a special place in my daily life.”
B: From Egypt, Sami Mossad writes with warm appreciation: “I truly value your attention and the effort you make to communicate with your listeners… My heartfelt greetings go to the friendly Vietnamese people, with my wishes for peace and prosperity.”
A: From China, Ding Lu tuned in on 9840 and 12020 kHz on January 1st, 2026, reporting strong signals and sending New Year greetings: “Everything is renewed… I wish my friends in the English program of Voice of Vietnam a happy New Year’s Day.”
B: Thank you, Ding Lu. Starting the year with listening on the radio is a wonderful tradition.
A: Once again, we would like to extend our sincere thanks to listeners around the world for your warm greetings, kind wishes, and continued support. Knowing that our programs are listened to, appreciated, and shared across different countries and cultures strengthens our commitment to international broadcasting.
B: As we step into the New Year, we look forward to staying connected with you through reliable news, cultural stories, and meaningful exchanges. Thank you for being part of the VOVWORLD family.
A: In his correspondence to VOVWORLD this week, Karsten Schönsee of Germany shared his interest in revolutionary Vietnamese films like Red Rain (Mua do) and “Tunnel: Sun in the dark” (Dia Dao) and asked whether there are other revolutionary Vietnamese films with German or English subtitles.
 Poster of film "Red Rain" |
B: Yes, Karsten, there are several other revolutionary and war-themed Vietnamese films that international audiences can explore, many of them available with English subtitles and, in some cases, German subtitles as well. Well-known titles include The Abandoned Field: Free Fire Zone (Canh dong hoang), When the Tenth Month Comes (Bao gio cho den thang Muoi), The Story of Pao (Chuyen cua Pao), and Don’t Burn (Dung dot), which is based on the diary of the fallen doctor Dang Thuy Tram.
A: These films are often screened at international film festivals, cultural exchanges, or made available through Vietnam’s national television platforms, embassies, and online streaming services specializing in Asian or arthouse cinema. They offer powerful perspectives on Vietnam’s history, focusing not only on combat but also on human resilience, love, and sacrifice during wartime.
B: Audiences have recently been moved to tears by Red Rain, but more than a decade earlier, The Scent of Burning Grass (2012) had already become an indelible landmark, echoing the 81 days and nights of fire and blood at the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel.
 Poster of film "The Scent of Burning Grass" |
A: The screenplay of The Scent of Burning Grass, written by poet Hoang Nhuan Cam and inspired by Forever Twenty, written by fallen soldier Nguyen Van Thac, brings to life four young men from Hanoi University of Science: Hoang, Thanh, Thang, and Long. They leave behind lecture halls, set aside their private dreams, and step directly onto the battlefield in response to the general mobilization order of 1971.
B: At nineteen or twenty, an age meant for love, classrooms, and clear, untroubled dreams, their youth instead becomes one of bombs, bullets, and sacrifice. Of the four, three fall on the red earth of Quang Tri; only Hoang survives to return home after the historic victory of April 30, 1975.
A: More than a decade has passed, yet The Scent of Burning Grass still carries undiminished emotional weight. The film moves audiences to tears with a simple, profound truth: the independence and peace enjoyed today were bought with the blood and bones of countless young men and women in their prime. In every image, the Thach Han River stained red, the scorched grass, the letters never sent, viewers are reminded of a timeless message of cherishing the present and safeguarding the future.
B: This week, many listeners in India carefully monitored our signals during the Christmas and year-end period. Abdul Aleem writes: “I am a great listener of Radio Vietnam for many years. I have sent many reception reports this year and got a reply. Many thanks for this.”
A: Thank you, Mr. Aleem, for staying with us for so many years. Your continued reports help us evaluate our broadcasts, and your request reflects a tradition shared by many DX listeners, that is collecting memories of radio through QSL cards and souvenirs.
B: Sending us several detailed reception reports, Bidhan Chandra Sanyal from West Bengal listened to our English service on 9730 kHz in December. He reports a SINPO of 4-3-4-3-4 using a Grundig Yacht Boy receiver with an external antenna.”
A: Chinmoy Mahato of India this week shared his interest in our Letter Box segment, saying it’s his favorite program and that he particularly likes the story about jazz in Vietnam.
B: From Bangladesh, Omar Faruk enjoyed our Christmas special programs on 7220 kHz, describing the signal as “good and clear” and praising segments like Digital Life, Discovery Vietnam, Village Life, and Letter Box.
A: And now to Pakistan, where reception conditions were excellent. Amir Jameel from Sahiwal reported a strong and steady signal with all values rated 4 or 5, calling propagation conditions “excellent”.
B: Amir also leads the VOV Online Visitors Club and sent New Year congratulations, even designing a special card for our team. That level of dedication shows how radio builds communities beyond borders.
A: Another heartfelt message comes from Malik Allah Bachaya Khokhar, also in Pakistan, who wrote: “Your programs serve as a valuable bridge of friendship and understanding between Vietnam and international audiences.”
B: To all our listeners, whether your SINPO is excellent or barely audible, your letters matter. They help us improve our broadcasts and remind us why international radio still matters in the digital age.
A: Keep sending your reception reports, questions, and stories. Until next time this is goodbye.