B: From Indonesia, Pak Ning Tjang wrote: “Let me wish you a Happy New Year which falls on February 19. Hope it will bring you prosperity and good health.”  

A: Amir Jameel of Pakistan and member of his DX’ing club congratulated VOV’s staff for their hard work and professional programs and prayed for the progress of VOV and Vietnam in the New Year.

B: S.B. Sharma, President of the SBS WORLD LISTENER CLUB of India, said he listened to the VOVworld program on February 18 with good reception. After the news, reports on the Tet lunar new year festival were aired. Sharma wrote: “Lunar new year means a new beginning, leaving behind bad, sad, and evil things. People clean their home and courtyard, purchase new clothes and ornaments for themselves and family members. Foreigners who live in Vietnam also prepare for and celebrate the lunar New Year. Tet means a reunion of the family. The family sit around the dining table and enjoy special Tet dishes. Thank you for your informative program.”

Several spring festivals have begun across Vietnam on the first months of the lunar year. Dong Da festival commemorated the 226th Ngoc Hoi-Dong Da victory over the Qing invaders

A: Dewan Rafiqul Islam, President of the Friends Radio Club of Bangladesh, said: “Wishing all members of VOV a happy new year. I always enjoy your programs, including the news. During Tet, the discussion of the lunar New Year outside Vietnam was very interesting. I find it nice the way Taiwan, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, and other Asian countries observe the spring and the new year.” 

B: Gerry Neumann of England said he sensed the excitement felt by people in Vietnam, and wanted to add his own ‘Chuc mung nam moi!’ greeting to the many that are heard these days.

Tam Thanh Pagoda festival in Lang Son province

A: Gerry wrote: “I’ve been fortunate enough to be in Vietnam three times in recent years during Tet, and have experienced the happy atmosphere of young and old alike. This year I’ll have to rely on VOV to provide me with reminders of that. I wish the staff of VOV all the best for the new lunar year, and thank you for the many excellent programs I’ve enjoyed during the last year.”

B: Thank you all for your warm New Year wishes for VOV. Last week we received listeners’ feedback on VOV’s quiz. Kanchan Chatterjee, Secretary of the Natun Radio Listeners’ Club of India, told us about an interesting activity. “Natun Radio Listeners' Club is going to organise a seminar on Radio the Voice of Vietnam on April 15, 2015, which is the Bengali New Year's Day.

A: It’s a great plan, Mr. Chatterjee. We’ll send you some materials for the event. We wish you a successful organization and hope to have some photos of the event. This week we’ve received several entries for VOV’s quiz. We’re very happy our listeners have responded so enthusiastically to the contest.

People pay pilgrimage to Huong Pagoda festival

B: SB Sharma of India made a telephone call to VOV’s English Department to discuss our quiz. He said the contest is an opportunity for listeners to learn more about Vietnam, enhance their knowledge, and exchange information. In Jamshedpur, India, they are preparing to get club members involved in the contest.

A: Sharma and his club members suggested that in addition to prizes, VOV should give a certificate to all contest participants. Thank you for your great suggestion, Sharma. We hope to receive many entries from your club members and our other Indian listeners. Nasir Aziz of Pakistan has listened to VOV since 1993 and often visits VOV’s website. He said the Pakistani people admire the courage and spirit of the Vietnamese. He’s glad that VOV organizes a contest for lovers of Vietnam and VOV’s devoted listeners.

B: Of VOV’s quiz, Ivan Lebedev of Russia wrote: “I voted for Halong Bay as a symbol of natural beauty and the country’s beauty. I like the colorful pictures of that sunny place and I think it is the best place in Vietnam.”

A: Ivan said the news of Samsung-Galaxy’s investment in Vietnam will benefit Vietnam’s economy and global connections. Many workers will have a chance to make their life better.

B: Mr. Muralidhar of India sent us a letter to inform us that he has reached the significant milestone of listening to VOV for 20 years. His first QSL card from VOV was dated November 28-29, 1993. Congratulations, Mr. Muralidhar. We have gifts to reward listener loyalty of 3 years, 5 years, and 10 years. You’ve listened to VOV for 20 years, so in addition to a bronze drum, our gift for 10 years of listening to VOV, we’ll consider awarding you a special certificate.

A: Because we have a growing list of long-time listeners, we’ll prepare gifts to mark milestones of 15 years, 20 years, and longer. We were surprised to receive a letter from Robert Gauvin of Ottawa, Canada. Robert said his last QSL card from Vietnam was two decades ago, although he has listened to VOV during the past 20 years. “It’s a pleasure that I was able to hear your program with impressive signal strength on January 23 on the frequency of 6175 khz. Unlike those who listen to radio via the computer, I’m one of those listeners tuning to shortwave for my international news information.”

B: We welcome your feedback at: English section, Overseas Service, Radio Voice of Vietnam, 45 Ba Trieu Street, Hanoi, Vietnam. Or you can email us at: englishsection@vov.org.vn. Tune in to our English program on the Internet at vovworld.vn.  Good bye. See you next time.