 A special flag-raising ceremony is held at Ba Dinh Square to celebrate the 135th birth anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh. (photo: Minh Duc/ VNA) |
B: Many listeners sent congratulations to Vietnam and VOV for the occasion of the 135th birth anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh
A: Bidhan Chandra Sanyal of India, in what he called “a special letter” to the English Service on May 18, wrote: “On the occasion of the 135th birth anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh, Party General Secretary To Lam wrote an article titled ‘Uncle Ho is still marching with us.’ This important report enriches our knowledge base about President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam.’
B: Sanyal continued: “Ho Chi Minh is a source of inspiration not only for Vietnam but for the people of the whole world. Progressive liberation and anti-imperialist forces all over the world are indebted to him for the historic role he played in leading the anti-colonial struggle for the independence and liberation of the Vietnamese people.”
A: Thank you Sanyal for sharing a long story about President Ho Chi Minh and his role in the liberation struggle in Vietnam and around the world.
B: Rabi Sankar Bosu, one of our regular listeners also from India, wrote an article in tribute to President Ho Chi Minh: “From my school days onwards, I have been profoundly inspired by President Ho Chi Minh's remarkable life and enduring legacy, which embodies the spirit of hope and resilience that continues to uplift oppressed nations and people across the globe. As a shining symbol of the indomitable spirit of the Vietnamese people, Uncle Ho's name has become synonymous with the struggle for liberation and the pursuit of socialism.”
 Nha Rong wharf, a famous landmark in Ho Chi Minh City, is where President Ho Chi Minh embarked on a journey abroad on June 5, 1911, for national salvation (Photo: Ty Huynh/ VOV) |
A: Bosu also highlighted the close bond between Vietnam and India and the Indian people’s support for Vietnam during the war. “During the revolutionary days of liberation wars between 1945 and 1975, the people of Kolkata rallied behind Vietnam, chanting slogans in the Bengali language with images of Uncle Ho that echoed the spirit of solidarity.”
B: Thank you, Bosu, for sharing such heartfelt memories. The solidarity and support of the Indian people, especially from Kolkata, during Vietnam’s struggle for independence is deeply moving and a powerful reminder of the enduring friendship between our two nations.
A: Indonesian listener Fachri shared his thoughts on our recent contest “What do you know about Vietnam?” He wrote: “I think the question is not too difficult but not too easy either. The important thing is that we must first understand the content of the question in the test and then look for information from many articles related to that question.”
B: Great strategy, Fachri! It’s always exciting to hear how listeners prepare for our contest. We're looking forward to your participation—and to more responses from our Indonesian friends!
A: Over the past week, we have received more entries from listeners around the world participating in our contest, which is held every five years. We have posted on our website vovworld.vn and share on our Facebook page VOV5 English Service some tips with links to our source stories which provide you with related information for your answers. We hope that you will find them useful and feel motivated.
(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: Just a reminder, the June 15 deadline for entry submission has been extended to June 30 (based on the postmark or the date the email is sent). So, you will have two more weeks to get your entries ready.
A: Additionally, all contestants—including those who do not win a prize—will receive a Certificate of Participation.
B: We will also award a prize to the Radio Fan Club, organization, or association with the highest number of entries.
A: What are you waiting for? Join our contest and win a trip to Vietnam in addition to many other attractive prizes.
 President Ho Chi Minh (Archive photo: dangcongsan.vn) |
B: This week, many listeners shared interest in learning more about Vietnamese fruits, which we think is partly due to the fact that they saw our products in their home markets. Some particularly asked about jackfruit.
A: Well, Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports reached an unprecedented 7.1 billion USD in 2024 and over 1.6 billion USD in the first four months of 2025. Our fruit and vegetable are now available in over 60 markets.
B: When it comes to jackfruit in Vietnam, variety is king — from traditional local favorites to the increasingly popular seedless kind.
A: Jackfruit is grown mostly in the countryside of provinces such as Lam Dong, Binh Duong and Dong Nai or concentrated in the Central Highlands and the Mekong Delta regions.
 Vietnamese jackfruit (Photo: tfruit.com.vn) |
B: Various foods can be made from jackfruit such as dried jackfruit, jackfruit tea and ice cream. In Hue and the central part of Vietnam, people use jackfruit in mixed salads, vegetable soup, and jackfruit sweet soup. Jackfruit seeds are also edible. The Vietnamese roast or boil the seeds to make a crunchy snack.
A: This week, Juan Diez of Spain sent us an email expressing his impression of the cooperation agreement between the Voice of Vietnam and Radio Belarus signed recently during Vietnamese Party leader To Lam’s visit to Belarus. He wrote: “Radio Belarus is one of the major media groups working for peace, truth, cooperation and dialogue. Belarus is a European country where people still feel the authentic flavor of what Europe used to be. The cooperation between Radio Belarus and Voice of Vietnam creates a Euro-Asian radio alliance that spreads the truth to those who listen and think.”
B: Juan, thank you for regularly updating stories from VOVWORLD. Indeed, our collaboration with Radio Belarus is founded on shared values of truth and understanding, and we’re proud to be part of that Euro-Asian media bridge, as you said.
A: From Mexico, Javier González Nungaray wrote: “I feel extremely proud to know that traditional Mexican music is respected and has been introduced to international friends, including Vietnam. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, this special program is like a very valuable cultural bridge. Congratulations to Voice of Vietnam for this wonderful work!”
B: Javier, we love bringing the vibrant sounds of Mexico to our audience. The 50th anniversary was such a special moment for both our countries, and your kind words motivate us to keep sharing the beauty of world cultures on our programs. For more detail, check out our Culture Rendezvous on our website vovworld.vn.
A: What a joy it is to receive so much warmth and insight from listeners around the globe. Your letters are not only meaningful, they are our motivation for us to further improve our programs.
B: Keep writing to us, sharing your ideas, stories, and experiences. We’re always listening, and we’re always here for you.
A: Once again, thank you for listening and goodbye.