(VOVWORLD) - I’m still very excited about the victory of Vietnam’s U23 football team yesterday. By defeating Qatar’s U23 team in a 4-3 shootout after a 2-2 draw, Vietnam became the first Southeast Asian team to reach the final of the Asian Football Confederation U23 Championship.
B: I’m excited, too. Like millions of Vietnamese football fans, I’m really happy and proud. It’s not a dream. Goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung’s two sensational penalty saves earned Vietnam a place in the AFC U23 Championship final.
A: The AFC said on its website that goalkeeper Tien Dung saved two penalty shots by Qatar to seal the victory for Vietnam to continue its incredible journey under the wily guidance of head coach Park Hang-seo. In the subsequent penalty shootout, Tien Dung emerged as a hero. Vietnam celebrated wildly and Qatari hearts were broken.
 Vietnamese players exploded with happiness after defeating Qatar in the semi-finals in a dramatic penalty shootout.
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B: Last night, my friends and I joined millions of Vietnamese in celebrating the victory. People poured into the streets and gathered in public places to share the happiness. Vietnam’s red flag with a gold star was seen everywhere. It was a night full of stars.
A: The victory moves Vietnam, incredibly, a step nearer to the AFC trophy. We will keep our fingers crossed for them in the final match against Uzbekistan in Changzhou, China, on Saturday.
B: We want to share with you our double happiness. We are celebrating the football team’s victory and the anniversary of World Radio Day on February 13 under the theme “Radio and Sports”.
A: VOV has organized activities to mark World Radio Day such as a meeting with listeners, broadcasters, and media experts. Last week VOV World Service held a get-together with Japanese listeners and artists in Hanoi. They have been members of a radio listeners club loyal to Voice of Vietnam since 1970. They have also written anti-war songs. Some of them visited Vietnam 50 years ago and returning to Vietnam has been their life-long wish.
 Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam joined football fans to celebrate the victory
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B: There will be a seminar on radio and sports with reporters and sportscasters to share their experience working at the World Cup, EURO, and Tiger Cup. VOV will set up a studio where amateurs can see what it’s like to be a radio broadcaster. For a short time they will experience the feeling of being radio reporters, broadcasters, and singers at our World Radio Day Festival.
A: Our listeners worldwide have told us about the celebration planned in their countries. Ashik Eqbal Tokon of Bangladesh wrote: “We would like to celebrate it with a rally and seminar on the theme "Diversity in Sports Coverage". I’m going to Odisha, India, to participate in Radio Fair India 2018. They invited us to demonstrate our radio listening activities in a stall, where I’ll display some of the promotional materials I’ve received from the Voice of Vietnam. I hope I’ll be able to capture the audience’s attraction to radio programs.”
B: Mahesh Jain of India congratulated us on World Radio Day and said: “With the theme of Radio and Sports, UNESCO has come up with a face of radio which shows the spirit of competitiveness as well as co-operation, a fight as well as love, peace and harmony among players as well as nations. I think this is a most appropriate theme for World Radio Day 2018.”
A: He continued: “The theme is worthy and positive because it unites communities, inspires participation and inclusion, fosters goodwill, and inspires humanity. I am hopeful you as a radio station with international vision will highlight the importance of radio as a medium through the lens of this year’s World Radio Day theme – Radio and Sports! Because radio is still the most accessible, interactive and engaging medium there is, informing and transforming us, through news, entertainment and audience participation.”
B: He described some of the advantages of radio: “Radio enables us to listen any time anywhere – at home, at work, while exercising, or driving in a car. Other media like TV and Internet requires special attention and free time. Radio develops the imagination of listeners because listeners create an image in their mind of whatever is said on the radio. By contrast, research over the years has shown that TV and Internet have made us dumber. What makes radio popular is its ability to reach masses across the globe and deliver news, views, and information without any significant cost. This is the reason international broadcasters use radio, particularly shortwave radio, to broadcast in the most troubled regions.”
A: It is sad that the major international broadcasters have shut down their various language services and shrunk their presence on the shortwave spectrum. Some have completely abandoned shortwave. I am hopeful that you will continue your strong presence on the air waves.”
A: Thank you very much, Mahesh Jain, for sharing your views on and passion for radio, which surely inspires other people interested in DX’ing. This week, we received reception reports from Siddhartha Bhattacharjee, President of India’s Chaitak listeners Club. He used a Grundric YB 400 model to monitor our program on January 10th on 7220khz.
B: Thank you, Mr. Bhattacharjee, for your audio file, which shows us the reception quality at your place. Staffan Crona of Sweden regularly sends us reception reports. He loves to share with us his photos of family Christmas and New Year celebrations. Staffan Crona, 66 years old, has been a shortwave listener for 50 years. He said his interest in radio and later audio prompted him to study electronics, eeventiually at Chalmers University of Technology. His other interests are history and geneology.
A: Mr. Muneer K P of the United Arab Emirates wrote to us after listening to the Sunday Show on January 21 on the frequency of 7220khz. He said: “Interesting to learn about beautiful tourist locations in Vietnam. Another nice program from you.” He rated the signal 45434, which was good with a slightly noisy and faded signal.
B: From India, Debakamal Hazarika told us that she listened to the Weekend Music segment, which included songs about flowers. “All the songs were sweet and were about fantastic flowers. I love flowers very much and gardening is my favorite hobby. Thanks for playing flower songs in today's show. I enjoyed them very much.”
A: Thanks to all you listeners for your feedback on our programs. We welcome your letters at English Section, VOVWorld, Voice of Vietnam, 45 Ba Trieu Street, Hanoi, Vietnam. Our email address is englishsection@vov.org.vn. Thank you for listening. Please join us again next Wednesday for another edition of the Letter Box. Goodbye.