A: Because VOV’s programs are broadcast in 13 languages around the world, we accept entries in any of these 13 languages – English, French, Spanish, German, Russia, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Laotian, Thai, Khmer, Indonesian, and, of course, Vietnamese.

B:   The deadline for entries has been extended to July 31, 2020. The 3 best entries will win a free 5-day trip to Vietnam. Since this year’s contest is taking place during a pandemic, the organizers will award a special prize for the most impressive story or impressive slogan about Vietnam’s success in containing COVID-19. 

A: We have sent contest information by email to the listeners in our database and have received a response from many of you.

A view of Hoan Kiem lake in the center of Hanoi in summer

B: Ashik Eqbal Tokon, President of the VOV Spectators' Association of Bangladesh, said: “I am so pleased to send you my entry for the VOV contest "What do you know about Vietnam?" Thank you for giving me the chance to participate in this wonderful event of my favorite radio station, the Voice of Vietnam.”

A: Radhakrishna Pillai N of India told us: “Thanks a lot for your kind information. I am preparing for this amazing and unique contest. I will send my entry as early as possible.”

B: S.B Sharma wrote on our website: “The contest is a great opportunity for world listeners to learn more about the rich history and tradition, delicious cuisine, rituals and festivals, education and value system of Vietnam. I am listening to VOV and learning new facts and figures. Thanks for your great work and for organizing the contest.”

A: Riaz Ahmad Khan said: “Thank you, Voice of Vietnam, for this great contest for your listeners. This is a great chance not only to learn about Vietnam but also to see the natural beauty of Vietnam. I will send my entry very soon and hope to see you.”

B: We received an entry from Aderval Lima Gomes of Brazil who said that when Vietnam comes to mind, he cannot help but think of the great hero Ho Chi Minh, a source of inspiration for all Vietnamese and other people around the world.

A: Well, other listeners share your thought, Mr. Gomes. Salf Ahmed Utsha of Bangladesh said, “Listening to the program on June the 5th I remembered President Ho Chi Minh, who has inspired a lot of music.

B: In May, the month Vietnam celebrates President Ho Chi Minh’s birthday on May 19th, we ran many stories about him. We hope you will find in those stories some of the information you need to participate in our contest “What do you know about Vietnam?”

A: Harald Suess told us that he was listening to the Sunday Show on the VOV5 website and heard some very nice modern Vietnamese songs. He asked: “Is there a CD or USB with such songs from Vietnam? I would like to buy one, because in Austria we don't hear Vietnamese songs. Perhaps you can help me get one.”

B: It might be difficult to find a CD of Vietnamese songs in Austria. We suggest you try some Vietnamese music websites, where you can listen to  different genres of Vietnamese music with good sound quality. Some of the best online Vietnamese music websites are: Zingmp3.vn, Nhaccuatui.vn, chiasenhac.vn, nhac.vn, and nhacdj.vn.

A: Shyamal Kumar Banerjee of India told us that he has been Dxing since 1980 when he was 14 or 15 years old. He said he is getting VOV’s letters, QSL cards, and many items beyond his imagination.

B: Thank you for supporting VOV over the years. From now on we’ll only be sending e-cards to verify reception reports. It’s a pity, but listeners will still be receiving little gifts as token of appreciation from VOV.

A: Mr. Banerjee told us that the present Covid situation is not good in his country, especially for migrants. The lockdown is almost over and they will have to go 80km and back by car to go to work every day with the threat of infection still very real.

B: We know Covid-19 remains a serious problem in many countries. Governments and the public are struggling with the pandemic while trying to carry on with normal social and economic activities.

A: We wish all the best for our listeners each and every day. We’re very glad whenever we hear from listeners who say they are staying safe from the novel coronavirus.

B: Sanil Deep of India told us: “It is really sad that the number of Covid-19 patients is increasing day by day all around the world. In India we are taking precautions to contain the disease. In Kerala state, where I live, many non-Indian residents are returning, mostly from Gulf countries, these days. Checkups are done at the airport and many of them have the disease.”

A: He said: “We hope people will stay united against Covid-19 and will defeat it very soon.”

B: We share your hope. Covid-19 is under control in Vietnam, but travel in and out of the country remains tightly restricted. All domestic flights have resumed and local airlines have opened new domestic routes to boost a national tourism promotion program called “Vietnamese people travel Vietnam”. So far no date has been set for resuming normal international operations.

A: Vietnam Airlines will open two new routes connecting Vinh city in Nghe An province with Phu Quoc island in Kien Giang province and Nha Trang City in Khanh Hoa province. Vietnam Airlines says it has now reopened all of its domestic routes and operates about 300 flights a day. 

B: Other Vietnamese airlines – Jetstar Pacific, VietJet Air, and Bamboo Airway – have also reopened their domestic flights. Vietnam will consider reopening international commercial flights to a number of destinations where no more coronavirus cases have been detected during the past 30 days, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said at a meeting on Tuesday.

A: Vietnam continues to organize a few international flights to repatriate Vietnamese citizens, all of whom must undergo a 14-day quarantine upon arrival.

B: Vietnam saw a 98% drop in foreign visitors in April, a month of social distancing. Vietnam will be one of the first Southeast Asian nations to start reviving its economy, but with a ban still in place on foreign visitors.

A: Thank you all for your reports and feedback. 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.

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.