 Christmas is in the air in Hanoi (Photo: VOV) |
B: Merry Christmas to VOVWORLD listeners around the globe. As Christmas arrives, we would like to send our warmest greetings to you and your families, wherever you may be.
A: Thank you for your continued trust, companionship, and support for VOVWORLD throughout the year. Your voices, feedback, and friendship inspire us to keep sharing timely, reliable, and meaningful stories about Vietnam and the world.
B: May this Christmas bring you joy, good health, and happiness, and may the New Year 2026 bring new opportunities and brighter days for all.
A & B: Merry Christmas and Season’s Greetings from VOVWORLD!
A: On this special occasion, we have received many Christmas and New Year greetings from listeners across the world. Let’s start with a very thoughtful message from Vicențiu Gheorghe of Romania, who wrote: “On the occasion of the Winter Holidays and the advent of the New Year 2026, I wish to extend my highest regards and most sincere greetings to the leadership, editors, journalists, and all staff members of VOV5. Your work plays an essential role in strengthening mutual understanding and friendship between Vietnam and listeners across the globe, including in Romania.”
 Listeners around the world send seasonal greetings to VOVWORLD |
B: And he continued: “I am confident that, through your professionalism and commitment, VOV5 will continue to develop and further enhance its international outreach, serving as an important bridge of communication between Vietnam and the world. May the New Year 2026 bring you good health, peace, and continued success in fulfilling your important mission.”
A: Thank you very much, Mr. Gheorghe. Your message is deeply encouraging, and we truly value the friendship and trust of our listeners in Romania.
 Listeners around the world send seasonal greetings to VOVWORLD |
B: Chris Malboeuf of Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada sent us a warm note: “Merry Christmas and Happy 2026! I would like to say thank you for welcoming me back after a long time of not being able to listen.”
A: Welcome back, Chris! We’re delighted to have you listening again, and we hope VOVWORLD continues to accompany you in the year ahead.
B: From India, Jayanta Chakrabarty wrote: “Merry Christmas. Let me take this opportunity to wish all my diligent friends at the Voice of Vietnam a wonderful, blessed Merry Christmas. Have a great celebration, wonderful Christmas meals, and enjoy your holidays with fun and festivity.”
A: Jayanta, your warm wishes truly capture the spirit of Christmas, and we wish you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season as well.
B: Also from India, Bidhan Chandra Sanyal sent New Year greetings: “The New Year brings new opportunities, new creativity, and new achievements. I hope every day of the coming year 2026 will be filled with joy for the people of Vietnam. I also hope that relations between India and Vietnam will continue to grow stronger, and that messages of peace and friendship will spread throughout the world.”
A: Thank you very much, Sanyal. We share your hope for stronger Vietnam–India relations and a future marked by peace and cooperation.
B: In his correspondence to VOVWorld this week, Najimuddin of India wrote with great affection: “I follow and access your social media platforms. I am a fan of the Voice of Vietnam because it is like a third eye that helps me see and feel Vietnam, its history, art, culture, people, and tourist destinations. VOV5 is my only source of information about Vietnam. I am very interested in learning more about your country.”
A: Thank you, Najimuddin. Your words encourage us to keep bringing Vietnam’s stories, culture, and people closer to listeners around the world.
B: In the nearly 400 letters, emails, and phone calls VOVWORLD received from listeners over the past week, many shared with us the achievements that Vietnamese athletes obtained at the just concluded 33rd Southeast Asian Games or SEA Games 33 in Thailand.
 Vietnam’s national footballers celebrate a goal. Photo: VOV |
A: A Korean listener commented on the news about Vietnam’s U22 football team winning the gold medal, saying: “I think that although the enthusiasm of the Vietnamese players is an important factor, the guiding role of the coach also plays a significant part. It seems that the sincerity in Coach Kim Sang-sik’s leadership has been well conveyed to the Vietnamese team. It is truly moving.”
B: Thank you for this insightful comment. Indeed, success in football is built not only on talent and effort, but also on inspiring leadership and strong team spirit.
A: At SEA Games 33, Vietnam finished third overall with 87 gold, 81 silver, and 110 bronze medals, behind Thailand and Indonesia.
B: The 34th SEA Games will be hosted by Malaysia from September 18 to 29, 2027, across four cities – Kuala Lumpur, Sarawak, Penang, and Johor with 38 sports planned for competition.
A: Meanwhile, Meilin of China asked whether Vietnam has plans to help its football move beyond the continental level.
B: Vietnam is investing strongly in youth training systems, international cooperation with experienced coaches, and overseas exposure for players. The Vietnam Football Federation is focusing on grassroots development, sports science, and long-term strategies to gradually narrow the gap with world-class football nations.
A: Next, in his correspondence to VOVWOLRD this week, Liu Yixuan in Sichuan, China wrote: “Through the programs of the Voice of Vietnam, I have come to know a diverse and rich Vietnam. Your broadcasts have enriched my knowledge, and I hope to continue listening to your excellent programs in the future.”
B: Thank you, Liu. We look forward to staying connected with you through many more programs ahead.
A: This week, Uemura Akio from Okayama, Japan, asked about the interest of young Vietnamese people in jazz music, and whether Vietnam has jazz clubs or venues.
B: Many sources suggest that jazz first appeared in Vietnam in the early 1950s. However, it was not until 1955, alongside rock ’n’ roll and other forms of Western popular music, that jazz truly gained a foothold in the South. Even then, shaped by the historical context of the time, jazz in Vietnam remained relatively modest and lacked a strong presence during this period.
 Emeritus Artist Quyen Van Minh performs with his son (Photo: VNA) |
A: It is widely acknowledged that Emeritus Artist Quyen Van Minh was the pioneer who laid the foundations for Vietnamese jazz. To music lovers, he is remembered not only as a leading jazz saxophonist, the first lecturer of saxophone at the prestigious Vietnam National Academy of Music, and one of the country’s most distinguished jazz musicians.
B: 71-year old artist Quyen Van Minh has devoted more than 50 years to music and has been running a jazz club for 28 years.
A: After national reunification in 1975, jazz was introduced to Vietnamese audiences for the first time in 1988, through a performance by Quyen Van Minh in his capacity as a musician with the Thang Long Song and Dance Troupe.
B: In 1989, jazz made its second public appearance, once again through a solo performance program by Quyen Van Minh. That year marked a major milestone: the saxophone was officially introduced as a subject at the conservatory, and Quyen Van Minh became one of the first lecturers to teach jazz at the Vietnam National Academy of Music.
A: By 1991, with the establishment of the Department of Accordion, Guitar, and Organ, jazz became a recognized vocational major. Quyen Van Minh has also set up his Jazz Club in Hanoi that features live jazz performances every night.
B: Vietnamese audiences traditionally lacked both exposure to jazz and a listening culture for the genre, making the development of Vietnamese jazz a long and challenging journey requiring patience and persistence. Yet there is reason for optimism. Looking at the next generation of artists pushing boundaries and experimenting creatively, many Vietnamese artists continue to shape the evolving story of jazz in Vietnam. Jazz festivals and live performances are becoming more popular, often blending jazz with Vietnamese musical elements.
A: Dear listeners, thank you once again for your letters, comments, and thoughtful questions. Your voices make the Letter Box truly meaningful and help strengthen the bond between VOVWORLD and our global audience.
B: Please keep writing to us, and stay tuned for more stories from Vietnam and around the world. Until next week, we wish you a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year 2026, and many moments of peace and joy.
A & B: Goodbye and thank you for listening to VOVWORLD!