 Some popular snack foods of Hanoi (Photo: Cam Thi) |
A: Let’s give a warm shout-out to Hector Gregorio Goicoechea from Uruguay, who wrote to us for the first time.
B: Thank you so much, Goicoechea, for tuning in to VOV’s English program on June 2 on the frequency of 11885 kHz. He rated the SINPO at 24322 using a Sangean ATS 405 receiver.
A: We’ll send you a verification card soon. We hope you’ll continue listening and staying in touch with us!
B: Juan Carlos Pérez Montero of Spain told us about summer in his place, where they are already starting to notice the good weather, which invites them to go out more, enjoy walks, trips and, in general, do different things. The summer atmosphere always encourages people to change their routine a little.
A: He himself has been undergoing some medical tests due to stomach pains, and, fortunately, the results showed nothing serious, which reassured him quite a bit. Despite everything, Montero remains hopeful that he will be able to enjoy the summer.
B: He told us: “As always, I will continue to keep in touch with you every month, sharing a little bit of my life with you. I am very excited to maintain this communication and receive your kind responses along with the monthly QSL cards.”
A: Thank you so much for your heartfelt message. We truly appreciate your continued connection and the stories you share with us. We wish you a summer full of health, joy, and special moments.
 Often enjoyed as a snack or light meal, hến trộn bánh đa is deeply rooted in Hue’s culinary heritage, particularly associated with the life along the banks of the Perfume River. (photo: Cam Thi) |
B: From Canada, our regular listener Chris Malboeuf told us that he is interested in learning about Vietnamese snacks. “What is the most popular snack that is eaten in Vietnam?” he asked.
A: Well, that’s a tough one to answer because Vietnam has an incredible variety of snacks depending on the regions, the occasions, or even the seasons. It really depends on where you are in Vietnam and what time of year it is.
B: It’s summer now, and I’m thinking of something cool and sweet, like chè, a refreshing dessert made with all kinds of beans, jellies, and coconut milk. There’s also tofu pudding with black sugar pearls, which is especially popular. It’s a simple treat that combines soft, silky tofu with chewy pearls and a caramel-like syrup. It’s sweet, light, and perfect for a hot day.
A: A specialty of the capital Hanoi, ô mai is a general name for dried fruits such as plums, apricots, apple, peaches, lemon, and star-apple with sugar, salt, lime, chili, or ginger. The dried fruits can be sweet or savory, and deliver many health benefits beyond pure food.
B: If you’re hanging out with friends for a cup of coffee or a glass of icy lemon tea, don’t forget to order sunflower seeds or coated peanuts. Crunchy, flavorful, and addictive, they’re the go-to snack for cracking and munching on while chatting.
A: In many parts of Vietnam, there’s no shortage of local favorites, from savory treats like sweet or salty fried bánh rán (donuts), bánh tráng nướng (Vietnamese rice paper crepes), nem chua (fermented pork rolls), and bánh tôm (deep-fried shrimp mixed with flour) to sweet bites like fried banana cakes, grilled banana topped with coconut milk, and yogurt mixed with a variety of fruits.
 Hủ tiếu is a local take on the popular southern Vietnamese noodle dish, offering a distinctive flavor influenced by central Vietnam’s culinary style. (photo: Cam Thi) |
B: Well, let’s continue to the emails and letters from other listeners. From Pakistan, Muhammad Aqeel Bashir, sent us an encouraging message: “I always enjoy listening to your programs. I want to say thank you for your hard work, especially in your news and current affairs reports. Your team always shares real information, and your reports show great journalistic experience and honesty. That is why I always trust VOV English Service.”
A: Muhammad read on VOV’s website on how Vietnam is using digital transformation to grow culture and connect with the world. He said: “I like how you explain that culture is not just about the past, but also about how a country shows itself in today’s world. The examples about brocade patterns and traditional music going online were very interesting. It made me think about how much power culture has when mixed with technology. The idea of “internationalizing Vietnamese culture and localizing global culture” is new and very smart. I believe this will make people from other countries understand Vietnam more deeply.”
B: Muhammad asked: “How will Vietnam make sure that young people stay close to their roots while learning from global culture?”
A: The strategy of internationalizing Vietnamese culture and localizing global culture reflects an inclusive, forward-thinking cultural vision of the Vietnamese leadership, who also identifies that education plays a key role. Schools can incorporate more lessons on Vietnamese history, literature, arts, and traditional values in a way that feels relevant and engaging to students. When young people understand their heritage deeply, they’re more likely to appreciate and protect it.
A: Local festivals, craft workshops, folk music and dance performances, and community storytelling have been revitalized to provide hands-on, immersive experiences.
B: I think when tradition is presented not as something old-fashioned but as something valuable and lively, young people are more likely to embrace it proudly.
A: Richard Lemke of Canada writes to us on a weekly basis. His favorite features are the Sunday Show, Letter Box, and stories about Vietnam’s society and culture. The signal on the frequency of 11885 Khz remains good with the overall rating at 4. Lemke told us that he had received a few QSL cards for the first months of this year.
A: M.Sanil Deep of India noted that the reception on the frequency of 12020 Khz at 13.30 UTC and 7220 khz at 16.00 UTC is loud and clear. VOV’s transmitter is performing well in Kerala State, south of India.
B: Mr. Deep said he is a regular listener of the Saturday and Sunday music segments, which feature the variety of songs and artists. The News bulletin is update and well presented. He told us that this week he received a QSL card from VOV, but yet to get so many QSL cards for other monthly reception reports.
A: Due to postal costs and the time needed to prepare QSL cards, VOV currently sends one QSL card for multiple reception reports, rather than for each individual one. We kindly ask for your patience as you wait for your QSL card. Thank you for your understanding and continued support!
(VOVWORLD) - The Voice of Vietnam (VOV) is holding its “What do you know about Vietnam?” contest from March 10, 2025, to June 30, 2025. The followings are the stories that give you related information:
B: Last but not least, we’d like to repeat that, the deadline for the contest “What do you know about Vietnam?” is extended to June 30, giving you more time to research and polish your writing. There are some useful tips for participating in the contest at our website – vovworld.vn – and on our Facebook fanpage – VOV5 English Service.
A: Entries from around the world keep pouring in. An Indian listener named Najimuddin wrote to us on May 27, saying, “I am very happy to participate in the 2025 “What Do You Know About Vietnam?” Contest - an exciting competition designed for Vietnam lovers worldwide. This contest is a great opportunity to test my knowledge about Vietnam’s rich history, people and culture. Whether I’ve been to Vietnam or hope to visit someday, this is my chance to learn more and win fantastic prizes!”
B: From Pakistan on May 20, Muhammad Aqeel Bashir Jhang wrote “It is truly a wonderful, inspiring, and highly informative initiative. Participating in this contest has been a great learning experience for me, and I deeply appreciate the effort your team has put into creating such meaningful content that promotes cultural understanding and global friendship.” “May the contest be a success for everyone involved. With sincere gratitude and best regards,” he said.
A: We very much appreciate your time, effort, interest, and dedication to researching and answering questions of “What Do You Know About Vietnam?” Contest. This year, we add prizes to acknowledge the VOV Listeners Clubs that have been established. A special prize will be given to the club with the most contest participants. All contestants—including those who do not win a prize—will receive a Certificate of Participation.
B: With one month left before the deadline, we encourage you to share the contest information with your club members and inspire them to take part. Wishing you all the best of luck!
A: That’s it for this week’s Letter Box. Keep writing, keep listening and, until next time, goodbye from Hanoi!