Temperatures in Hanoi reach more than 40 degrees C during several days

B: Many VOV listeners in India have told us about the ongoing heat wave in India. Aljazeera quoted India’s disaster management authorities as saying that the heat wave has killed 184 people in the eastern Indian state of Bihar this summer, 78 since Saturday. India’s second-longest heat wave on record has prompted authorities in Bihar’s Gaya district to impose curfew-like restrictions during the hottest part of the day. The district magistrate has banned all construction work and outdoor activities between 11am and 4pm.

A vendor shields herself during a hot afternoon in India's capital New Delhi [EPA]

A: Daytime temperatures across many parts of India have hovered above 40 Celsius for the past 32 days, just short of the record 33 days experienced in 1988. Saturday's temperatures were some of the highest Gaya has seen reaching 45.2 Celsius, seven degrees above average.  Severe heat continued on Tuesday across Bihar with some slight relief expected on Wednesday.

B: In Europe, temperatures were climbing on Sunday as the region braced for a blistering heat wave with the mercury set to hit 40 degrees Celsius as summer kicks in on the back of a wave of hot air from North Africa. Europeans are preparing to bake in what forecasters are warning will likely be record-breaking temperatures for June with the mercury set to peak mid-week.

Children cool off in the fountain of the Trocadero, in Paris, Tuesday, June 25, 2019.

A: In the Balkans, soaring temperatures sent many people flocking to rivers, lakes and swimming pools to cool down last week, although a weekend of stormy weather helped take the edge off the heat.

B: This latest intense heat wave is further evidence of a warming planet, and such weather is likely to become more frequent.

A: In this hot summer time, many listeners have asked us where Vietnamese go for a summer escape.

B: With long stretches of white sand beach and lots of tropical weather, Vietnam has become one of the top destinations in Asia. From extreme luxury to rustic bungalow, Vietnam has it all. Each beach in Vietnam comes with a range of accommodations to fit every budget and every taste.

View of Salinda resort on Phu Quoc island

A: Famous brands like Intercontinental and Banyan Tree have turned undeveloped shore front property into beautiful lush green resorts. In the south, Salinda resort Phu Quoc stand out from the crowd. In the central region, Ana Mandara Ninh Van Bay and Amiana resort Nha Trang, Angsana Lang Co and Intercontinental Danang are the top picks. In the north, Victoria Sapa resort and Esmeralda Ninh Binh offer the best mountain or rural stay. In a lower budget range, Whale Island resort and Cat Ba Monkey island offer inexpensive accommodations on an exclusive private beach.

Resort Evason Ana Mandara , Nha Trang

B: Many foreign travel magazines have ranked Vietnamese beaches among the top places to visit in the summer.

A: The travel site Thrillist has included Cat Co 2 on Cat Ba Island and Thom Islet Beach on Phu Quoc island on its list of the best seaside getaways in Vietnam. Just 45 km east of Hai Phong, Cat Ba boasts crystal-clear water, dense jungle and ancient fishing villages, but has managed to keep a relatively low profile despite being just south of world-famous Ha Long Bay. Thrillist says Cat Co 2 is “the most relaxed of Cat Ba’s three beaches.”

B: Thrillist also recommended Thom Islet Beach on the southern coast of Phu Quoc. The beach has avoided becoming a tourist trap and retains its unspoiled beauty, so not many tourism services can be found there. According to Thrillist: "Nestled in the forest that dominates this island, Thom Islet Beach is too far off the beaten track for the coach tourists but brings in enough intrepid backpackers to sustain the local snack shacks and their surprisingly delicious home brewed beer.”

Cat Ba beach

A: On its list of the 17 best places in Asia, CNN places Hanoi and Phu Quoc Island together in ninth place and suggests travelers chase the sun to Phu Quoc which has some of the most beautiful beaches in Southeast Asia - not to mention the world's longest oversea cable car.

B: This week we received a letter from Lars Skoglund of Sweden for the first time. He enclosed with his letter a postcard of the beautiful Old Town and Royal Palace of Stockholm. Re-sending a report for a VOV program from 2015, 4 years ago, he wrote: “Dear Radio friends. In the year of 2015, I had the pleasure of listening to VOV1 the Voice of Vietnam on 675 khz for the first time here in Sweden. I have sent some reception reports to your station but I have not received any confirmation card or letter so far. I’m 71 years old and my hobbies are radio, sporting, fishing, travelling and stamp collecting.”

B: Thank you, Mr, Skoglund, for writing to us. We cannot confirm your report for 2015 because it was so long ago and we don’t broadcast VOV1, just the VOV English program. VOV1 is our News and Current Affairs Channel which is broadcast only in Vietnam. Could you please send us another report of your more recent listening to the VOV English Program? Our program is now also available on the internet at vovworld.vn or you can listen via the VOV mobile app called VOV Media. We suggest you listen to our program on these other platforms and check it against your reception on shortwave. We’re sending you our new frequency list and program schedule and hope to receive more feedback from you.

A: On today’s program, we’d like to welcome Christine Chadwick of the US to VOV. Ms Chadwick sent us a reception report for VOV’s program on June 4 on the frequency of 7315 khz and rated SINPO 5. She said she really liked the show and will listen again soon.

B: Thank you very much for tuning in to our broadcast, Ms Chadwick. We’ll send you a QSL card to confirm your report and some souvenir gifts. We look forward to hearing from you more frequently.

A: Also from the US, Zach Rutledge sent us a postcard with pictures from the Alabama Gulf Coast. He wrote: “Thanks so much for your broadcast in English to the United States. I’ve listened for a long time, and always enjoy the news and special features that help me learn more about Vietnam. I listened on 7315 khz at 0000 UTC.”

B: Thank you, Mr. Rutledge, for tuning in to VOV. You said you’ve listened to us for a long time but this is the first time that we have received feedback from you. Send us your feedback and reception reports more frequently so that we know you’re still there listening to us. We’ll send you a schedule of our programs and our frequency list.

A: Sultan Mahmud Sarker of Bangladesh wrote: “I am a regular listener. I listen to your program regularly and also visit the VOV5 web page regularly. I never miss the Letter Box. The Letter Box feature on June 5 was very nice. I enjoyed seeing photos of Vietnam’s very nice mosque. My two favorite fruits are Son La mangoes and lychees in Vietnam. I listen to the VOV5 broadcasts. Every broadcast is very informative.”

B: We’d like to thank all of you who sent feedback on our shortwave broadcasts and internet content. We promise to send you verification cards to confirm your reception reports. 

A: 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.org.vn. You’re invited to visit us online at vovworld.vn, where you can hear both live and recorded programs. Check out our VOV Media App available on both the IOS and Android platform to hear our live broadcasts. We look forward to your feedback on the mobile version of vovworld.vn. Once again, thank you all for listening. Goodbye until next time.