B: I have here two emails from our long-time English listener Gerry Neumann. He hasn’t contacted VOV for some time, mainly because he has been in the hospital several times, so he couldn't listen as much as he’d have liked.
A:We’re sorry to hear you were in the hospital, Gerry. It’s good that you have recovered. We remember the day you visited VOV’s office in Hanoi in June of 2016 and we ate bun cha (grilled pork and rice noodles)for lunch. Your emails were a nice surprise for us.
 Gerry Neumann from Britain and VOV5's staff Viet Anh and Cam Thi have Bun cha at Huong Lien Bun cha eatery. |
B: Gerry says he listened to VOV on the internet on Sunday, September 1. “It was particularly interesting for me as I have spent many happy holidays in Hue city in the last 22 years, except during the COVID epidemic. The Sunday Show, which took up the first half of the programme, was about the restoration work of the cultural heritage sites in and around Hue, including the Imperial citadel and royal tombs. Then there was some information on Hue cuisine, which is widely known and appreciated. I certainly enjoyed many of the traditional dishes from that region when I was in Hue.”
 English listener Gerry Neumann at Ngo Mon in Hue imperial city. |
A: I’m glad to hear our story triggered some fond memories. Thank you for sharing your photo of you at Ngo Mon during your visit to Hue in March. We wish you all the best and many more visits to Vietnam.
B: Amir Jameel of Pakistan sent us a congratulatory message that says: “This day commemorates the enduring spirit and remarkable achievements of Vietnam over nearly eight decades. May you take pride in this significant milestone and continue to contribute to the nation's ongoing success and prosperity. We wish you a joyful celebration and a future filled with hope and accomplishment.”
A: Listener Dinh Lu of China wrote: “Every year, National Day is celebrated with great pomp and circumstance in Vietnam.Through its turbulent history to this day the national flag with a gold star on a red background has fluttered in the wind every day at Ba Dinh Square. September 7 will mark the 79th birthday of the Voice of Vietnam. At first there were only French, English, and Chinese Cantonese broadcasts, but later on, more foreign language programs were added to inform more people about Vietnam. VOV’s World Service has been steadily renewed to acknowledge the preferences of the public. I’d like to wish VOV a happy 79th birthday!”
B: Bidhan Chandra Sanyal of India wrote: “On the occasion of Vietnam’s National Day, I’d like to express my sincere love and best wishes to all VOV’s staffand listeners. Congratulations to all Vietnamese people through the Voice of Vietnam. Long live the India-Vietnam friendship.”
 Bidhan Chandra Sanyal of India sends to VOV. |
A: A message from Vicentiu Daniel Gheorghe, the Founder and President of the Romanian VOV Club, says: “This year marks the 79thanniversary of Vietnam’s independence, a day of immense pride and historical significance.Over the past 79 years, Vietnam has shown remarkable resilience, strength, and progress. The journey from independence to becoming a nation admired for its cultural richness, economic growth, and global contributions is truly commendable.”
B: Vicentiucontinued: “The Voice of Vietnam has been a cornerstone of Vietnamese media, playing an essential role in informing, educating, and connecting people across the nation and beyond.Your dedication to delivering accurate, timely, and diverse content has made a significant impact on both the Vietnamese community and the wider world. I wish the Voice of Vietnam continued success and growth in the years to come.”
A: There are many more congratulatory messages from listeners that we don’t have enough time to read on the air. We’re very grateful for your support in the past, present, and future. VOV would not have its popularity without you.
 Thank you Amir Jameel for this postcard |
A: Shikha Sawhney Lamba read our article on support for Vietnamese Agent Orange victims and told us that she is looking for grassroots organizations that workwith victims of Agent Orange.
B: The Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/dioxin has cooperative relationships with 60 governmentaland non-governmental organizations in countries around the world.The Association has branches in every province, even at the district and communal level. You can find contact information and read articles about its activities helping AO victims nationwide on the website vava.org.vn.
A: One rehabilitation center for AO victims is the Vietnam Friendship Village in Hoai Duc district on the outskirts of Hanoi. It’s a residential facility that provides medical care, physical therapy, education, and vocational training to Vietnamese children, adults, and veterans with a range of maladies caused by Agent Orange.
B: Through raising support for the village domestically and in collaboration with international groups in Vietnam, France, Germany, Japan, Canada, and elsewhere, the village is mobilizing the international community to heal the wounds of war and create a model of cross-cultural cooperation based on caring, friendship, and mutual respect.
A: The village now has 5 families which are being cared for by 8 women. Most of thesewomenhave a family of their own, but in addition to their love for their own family, they also have love for 20 other less fortunate children who areblind, deaf, or have someother mental orphysical disability. Some of these children can't brush their teeth or feed themselves.These are children and grandchildren of veterans who were exposed to AO/dioxin.
B: Thanks to the perseverance and patience of these 8 women, the children arebeing taken care of . Their mindsare being awakened, the world is being revealed to them, and they are enjoying life more.
A: Thank you, Shikha Sawhney Lamba, for asking about organizations working with victims of Agent Orange. Dear listeners, if you love volunteering, you can contact the Vietnam Friendship Village at langhuunghi.vn. They welcome both financial support and volunteers ready to teach and play with the children.
B: Listener Malik Allah Bachaya Khokhar told us that one of the best features of VOV’s English program is its comprehensive news coverage, which provides timely domestic and international news updates. VOV provides in-depth analysis and insights that help listeners understand regional and global complexities.
A: Khokhar said: “In addition to news, the program also shines in its cultural content. VOV takes great pride in showcasing Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage. Through segments on traditional music, festivals, cuisine, and local customs, the program offers listeners a deep dive into the vibrant culture of Vietnam.”
B: Listener Johnny A. Ramirez Lopez of Peru thanked VOV for sharing with listeners the beauty and wisdom of Vietnam’s cultural wealth through such interesting programs as "Colorful Vietnam, Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups", "Culture”, and “Society".
A: Johnny wrote: “What an interesting lesson of love and gratitude to nature is taught by the Tay and Nung festival of giving thanks to the buffaloes in Cao Bang, Bac Kan, and Lang Son province in northern Vietnam.”
B: “How beautiful it must feel to be Vietnamese and thank brother buffalofor sharing his strength and plowing all those high terraces to grow rice. Like the buffalo festival in Vietnam, here in Peru we have the Fiesta de Santiago at the end of July, where we thank the cattle with joyful songs and beautiful colored ribbons in their ears or on their necks. It’s always good to love nature, the basis of our existence.”
A: Thank you, dear listeners, for listening to VOV and sharing your thoughts. We’ll send QSL cards to verify your reports and some souvenirs as a token of our thanks. 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 also invited to visit us online at vovworld.vn, where you can hear both live and recorded programs.
A: Check out our VOV Media App, available on both the IOS and Android platform, to hear our broadcasts. We look forward to your feedback on the mobile version of vovworld.vn. Once again, thank you all for listening. Goodbye!