B: Gerry is our old friend for many years and he visits Vietnam almost every year. He told us: “The programs always have many items of interest, and I learn new facts about Vietnam, which has really become like my second home, since I’ve come every year sometimes more than once since 2002. I know there has been talk about the new airport for Ho Chi Minh City for many years, and I know it will a great asset for tourism and the economy. My one regret is that I may be old to use it myself by 2025, although I hope to visit Vietnam, and the studio of VOV in Ba Trieu, Hanoi, as long as I’m able to make the journey.”

The design of Long Thanh International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.

A: Gerry, the staff of VOV English service sends you the best wishes. We had nice memories with him when he came to Vietnam in summers. He has regularly visited Vietnam’s Hue city in the summer to teach English as a volunteer. We hope to meet you here in Vietnam many more times. And you’ll be able to use the upgraded Noi Bai international airport in Hanoi and new Long Thanh international airport in HCMC.

The design of Long Thanh International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.

B: Richard Nowak of the US said he enjoyed the show on October 29 on 7315khz from 1:00 to 1:27 UTC. He listened in a 5^th floor apartment in Miami Beach, Florida with a Hallicrafters S-20R tube radio hooked up to an indoor active loop. Richard rated SINPO at 45333.

A: As usually, his report is full of information. “After the news, the Sunday Show had a very interesting feature on using natural medicine among the Zhao ethnic group”, Richard said. “The herbal medicine is used for survival. The remedies have been handed down for generations. The townspeople get their herbs from the forest. An interview with a man who sold medicinal herbs for many years was interesting. The farmers do not have money and experience to bring their herbs to market. I enjoyed tonight’s show. It was informative and education. Thanks for the show and your support of shortwave!”

B: Craig Jordan of the US reported listening to VOV English Service on October 28^th on 7315khz. He rated SINPO at 44544. He noted: “Strong, clear reception. There was utility carrier interference in a couple of stories, otherwise great listening conditions.”

A: Pavol Buljak of Slovakia emailed us to say: “I listen to VOV usually from transmitters in Hanoi. Today I was longer into the night on radio, so I listen also Voice of Vietnam from USA - Cypress Creek. I also made a short recording where you can hear the quality of reception was quite good. It was surprising to me, considering it has travelled such a distance.”

B: We’ve listened to your recording to oversee the reception quality. The broadcaster’s voice was clear and loud although there was interference from a Chinese language program.

A: Fabio Junior da Silva of Brazil emailed us reception reports for VOV’s programs in Spanish and French. We’ll forward your email to the Spanish and French sections to verify it. It’s interesting to know that you and many other listeners often use music app to find Vietnamese songs that you listened on our programs.

B: Fabio wrote: “Dear friends of Voice of Vietnam, I write to your wonderful station to say that your transmissions continue to bring to my house much joy, information, and emotion. When I speak of emotion, I am referring to music. Singer Hien Thuc is a woman with an angelic voice. Listening to her was very special. I tried to find her using a music app in order to listen to het several more times. Thank you for sharing with us the peculiarities of your country.”

A: Well, listeners, here’s a song by Hien Thu. Afterward we’ll talk about the eating habits of Vietnamese people and how daily rice consumption is being challenged by western fast food.

A: You’re listening to VOV’s Letter Box. Siddharth Bhattacharjee of India asked us about popular food in Vietnam. Is rice still the main food in Vietnam? And how about fast food?

B: Vietnam is an agricultural country where rice is the staple food. Rice is an essential part of every Vietnamese meal. When we say “eat rice”, we mean “have a meal”.

A: Vietnamese wonder how Western people can survive by eating bread every day. Many tourists who come to Vietnam are surprised at how many dishes involve rice. Rice is part of every offering at every household shrine, pagoda, and temple of all 54 of Vietnam’s ethnic groups.

Harvesting rice

B: Many Vietnamese dishes and snacks are made from rice – rice porridge, steamed rice, glutinous rice cake, Banh Chung – and there are many types of noodles, including Pho and Bun, which are made from rice.

A: To Vietnamese, rice is not just a dish but the soul of a meal, no matter how delicious the other dishes are, a meal cannot be perfect without good rice. Different regions have different cooking methods and different rice dishes. We’ll mention a few of the most popular rice dishes.

Harvesting rice.

B: Hoi An chicken rice contains plain rice, chicken, a coating sauce and pickled vegetables. The recipe is simple but it is not easy to cook an exemplary chicken rice dish. Baby clam rice, a special delicacy of Hue, has crunchy cold rice, baby clams, fried pork fat, banana flowers, fermented shrimp sauce, sliced star fruit, and various spices.

Chicken noodle

A: Burned rice is famous in Ninh Binh province and several other localities. The crispy rice burnt at the bottom of the pot is more delicious when served with a special soup or salted shredded meat. Bamboo rice is sticky rice stuffed with water into bamboo tubes and then fried. Bamboo rice is a specialty of minority people in the mountainous provinces of Vietnam.

Hoi An chicken rice

B: Many international fast food chains have come to Vietnam: McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC, Starbucks, Pizza Hut, and Lotteria. There are no 24-hour fast food restaurants in Vietnam, though, because typically, Vietnamese do not like fried chicken or hamburgers for breakfast or a late night meal. We prefer rice-based food like noodles or rice cakes.

A: People choose fast food because it is quick, convenient, and time-saving, Vietnamese think differently. Since most fast food restaurants are attractive places with modern decor, Vietnamese youngsters go there for dates and birthday parties. They have plenty of time.

Grilling bamboo rice

B: Older Vietnamese are rarely seen eating fast food. Fast food shops modify their menus to bring Western fast food closer to local tastes. Rice dishes dominate the menu and fish nuggets, fish burger, and chicken soup are all served with rice.

Bamboo rice is served with roasted chicken.

A: This week we acknowledge reception reports from Fumito Hokamura of Japan, Huhammad Shamim and Madhab Chandra Sagour  of India, and Dildar Ahmed Laghari of Pakistan.

B: Thanks for joining us today. Join us again next Wednesday for another edition of the Letter Box. Goodbye till then.