A: Though VOV’s contest “What do you know about Vietnam?” closed a week ago, we continue to receive listeners’ comments and impressions of the contest.

B: Mitul Kansal of India wrote: “My heartiest congratulations to VOV5 for holding such a nice competition in such a nice manner. The large number of participants shows us that VOV5 is the most popular radio station among listeners world wide. I fully believe that VOV has become the heart-beat of its listeners, without which there is no heart throb. Once again I congratulate you for bringing Vietnam closer to your listeners. I suggest that VOV award a “Certificate of Participation” to all participants, if possible”.

A: Thank you Mitul Kansal for your comments and suggestions. We really hope that listeners to VOV’s English Program will win the contest. Most of the entries are fact-filled and presented in an attractive fashion..

B: With his entry to VOV’s contest, Diip Kumar Roy of India wrote: “I’m a keen listener to VOV. I love Vietnam and have fallen in love with its beautiful culture and people. I have several Vietnamese friends in New Delhi. With all humility, let me say I have read a lot about Vietnam, its history, its connection since ancient times with Indian people, and the geography of this beautiful land. In my social circle, I am known as an expert on Vietnam and Vietnamese affairs. You all have become my good friends. If I ever get a chance to visit Vietnam, I promise, we can have a long discussion and get to know each other”.

A: Magire Machuki of Kisii Kenya sent us an email with his entry to VOV’s contest. He wrote: “This is my first contact with Voice of Vietnam. I have been dxing for the last 19 years but sadly I have never heard of your transmission service. I stumbled on your web page while googling. Your webpage is rich in Vietnam related news. Vietnam is a wonderful country rich in culture. I’m glad to have found you”.

Temple of Literature in Hanoi, Vietnam's first university

B: Magire Machuki, thank you for participating in our contest and sharing with us your love for Vietnam. We hope you will tune in to all our broadcasts. For more information and detailed frequency list, please check out our website at www.vovworld.vn.

A: Using a JRC NRD-535 HF receiver, Richard Lemke of Canada listened to our program on June 1 on the frequency of 12005 from 0230 to 0257 UTC. Rating the reception at a SINPO of 45334, he wrote: “My favourite part of the show is the letterbox program and the Sunday show. The domestic news you air is top notch and excellently produced and researched. Your voices on the air are very enjoyable to follow and clear English is spoken”.  

B: Rasheed Naz of Pakistan wrote: “I was very glad to hear my name on the Letter Box on Wednesday, July 1, 2015. Thanks for this. I am sending a reception report by post & program details. The Letter Box was good and the music was good. I am introducing VOV5 to other Pakistani people”.

A: Thank you all for your support for our programs. We’ll send you QSL card to confirm your reception reports and the results of the contest will be announced on September 7^th when the Voice of Vietnam celebrates its 70^th anniversary.

B: Next, we’d like to respond to a question about early education in Vietnam from Amir Jameel of Pakistan.

A: Education in Vietnam is divided into five levels: preschool, primary school, secondary school, high school and higher education. General education consists of twelve years of study - five years of primary education, four years of secondary education, and three years of high school. The majority of general education students attend school on a half-day basis.

B: The main educational goals in Vietnam are improving people’s general knowledge, training quality human resources and fostering and nurturing talent. With one of the highest GDP growth rates in Asia, Vietnam is currently trying to overhaul its education system to maintain its rapid economic growth.

A: Children normally begin primary school at the age of six. Education at this level lasts for 5 years and is compulsory for all children. Vietnam’s literacy rate is over 94%.

B: The renovated primary school curriculum in Vietnam is divided into two phases: Grades 1, 2 and 3 learn Vietnamese, Mathematics, Morality, Nature and Society, Arts and Physical Education.

A: Grades 4 and 5 learn Vietnamese, Mathematics, Morality, Science, History, Geography, Practical skills, Music, Arts and Physical Education.

B: Secondary school includes sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth grade. This educational level is common throughout most of the country, except in very remote provinces, which expect to institute secondary education in the next few years.

A: The secondary curriculum includes the following subjects and activities: Vietnamese, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, History, Geography, Civics, Foreign Language (with English being the most popular), Physical Education, Technology, Art, and Music, plus various Optional Subjects, Class Activities, School Activities, Vocation-oriented Activities and Extra-curricular Activities. At the end of year 9, students will participate in a vocational exam (usually in computer technology) to earn extra-mark for the 10th grade examination

B: The Technology subject aims to show the link between theory and practice. It includes home economics (in Grade 6), agriculture-forestry and aquaculture (in Grade 7), Industry (in Grade 8) and optional modules (in Grade 9).

A: High school consists of grades ten through twelve. Theire is a prerequisite entrance examination for high school called the IGE. The IGE score determines the schools at which a student is able to enroll. All subjects are compulsory for students.

B: They include, Literature, Mathematics,  Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Geography, Civics (which combines economics, philosophy, politics, law and ethics), Foreign Language, Technology (which consists of Agriculture/Horticulture, Mechanics, Electronics, Design, and Information Technology, Physical Education, and Military Education and Training.

A: That’s the general information about education curriculum in Vietnamese schools from grade 1 to 12. If you are interested in learning more about Vietnam, please check out our website at www.vovworld.vn or send your questions to our email address at englishsection@vov.org,vn.

B: That’s it for today’s program. Thanks for listening. Good bye.