The Vietnamese National Football team celebrates its victory. (photo: Nhu Dat)

B: From the streets of Hanoi to the corners of Ho Chi Minh City, cheering fans waving flags filled the streets. Football has been a passion for the Vietnamese people, and this victory has only deepened their love for the sport.

A: Thanks to all the VOV listeners who congratulated the Vietnamese people and their national team. Amir Jameel, the President of the VOV Online Visitors Club in Pakistan, said: “This win is especially meaningful as it marks the first time Vietnam has claimed the trophy away from home. It truly showcases the team’s resilience, determination, and skill. This victory is a testament to Vietnam's progress in the sport and will certainly inspire future generations of players and fans.

B: Thank you, Amir, for your kind words of support. In addition to the trophy, Vietnam also received two individual awards: Nguyễn Đình Triệu was named Best Goalkeeper, and Nguyễn Xuân Son was recognized as the Most Valuable Player. This will be remembered as one of the best ASEAN Championship finals ever played.

Vietnamese football fans welcome the National Football team at the airport. (photo: VOV)

A: H.M. Tarek, a member of the VOV5 Listeners’ Club in Bangladesh, tuned in to VOV’s English program on January 6th on the frequency of 7220 kHz. He rated SINPO all 3s.

B: Tarek has been listening to VOV’s program since 2014. He said: “I enjoy listening to VOV because your program is always delightful. On Monday, I listened to 'Personality of the Week,' which featured a self-taught photographer and his photos of the culture and nature of the Central Highlands.”

A: Another listener from Bangladesh, Omar Faruk, emailed us a reception report. He noted: “The reception was very good. I enjoy listening to the News, Digital Life, Discovery Vietnam, Culture, Village Life, Economics, and Letter Box. All of them are very informative. I also love the music. Thanks for your amazing New Year program. I’ll send reception reports regularly and hope to receive your verification cards.”

B: We’ll send you QSL cards to verify your report. Thank you for your feedback!

A: Here’s an email from Bidhan Chandra Sanyal, a regular listener in India. He used a GRUNDIG Yacht Boy 80 to tune in to VOV’s English program on the frequency of 9730 kHz on January 6. He says the transmission was excellent, with a SINPO rating of all 4s.

People pour in to the street the celebrate the victory of the National Football team. (photo: VOV)

A: Cheerful Spring Comes is a joyful Vietnamese song sung by Ngoc Anh of the pop trio 3A. It captures the energy of the Lunar New Year season, a time of renewal, happiness, and gatherings.

B: Here’s a question from Erwin Barthel of Germany. He asks if Vietnam has a registration agency to record births, deaths, and marriages.

A: Sure. We have state agencies in charge of registering the civil status of a person from birth to death, including events like marriage, childbirth, child adoption, guardianship, and change of civil status.

B: Each individual has a birth certificate. All official papers that contain an individual’s family name, given name, middle names, date of birth, gender, ethnicity, citizenship, birthplace, parents, offspring, and so on must be consistent with their birth certificate. An individual must register any changes in civil status to comply with the law.

A: Registration of events which involve a foreign element must comply with relevant articles in the Law on Marriage and Family. Civil status papers granted by Vietnamese overseas diplomatic missions and consular offices have the same validity as papers granted domestically.

B: Civil status management is an important and regular task of administrations at all levels. The aim is to protect the legitimate rights and interests of individuals and families, and provide data needed to formulate better economic, social, security, defense, population, and family planning policies.

A: Vietnam has established an electronic civil status database, enabling online registration of births, marriages, deaths, and other events. The national database synchronizes population data and the public services of ministries and local administrations.

B: Although civil status registrations can be submitted online, a person must still come to the administrative agency to sign their name and receive a printed certificate.

A: Now let’s read some more letters from our listeners.

B: Dewan Rafiqul of Bangladesh asks: “How many nuclear power plants does Vietnam have?”

A: Vietnam has one nuclear reactor, the Dalat Nuclear Reactor, which has been operating safely for over 40 years. It was built in 1963 by the US with the original name of TRIGA Mark-2 Nuclear Reactor. It halted operation before the 1975 reunification of Vietnam and restarted in 1984 with its capacity doubled to 500 kilowatts.

B: The reactor effectively and safely produces radioactive isotopes and serves activation analysis, scientific research, and personnel training.

A: In November 2024, the Vietnamese National Assembly agreed to resume the construction of nuclear power plants in Ninh Thuan province which was suspended in 2016 due to safety, funding, and technology concerns. The Ninh Thuan nuclear power plants will diversify Vietnam’s energy supply, ensure energy security, and contribute to achieving its carbon neutrality target by 2050.

B: We’re happy to have heard from Juan Carlos Perez Montero of Spain. He emailed us to say: “I am writing to you at the beginning of this New Year 2025 to express my gratitude and appreciation for the wonderful programming you have provided us over the past year. It has been a real pleasure to tune in to your station and enjoy the variety of content you offer.”

A: Juan shared with us his New Year happiness: “This past Christmas has been especially meaningful to me, as I have been fortunate enough to make a new friendship that has enriched my life in unexpected ways. This new connection has been a gift that has filled me with joy and hope for the future.”

B: Happiness shared is happiness multiplied. We’re so glad you're feeling this way! Juan told us that one of his goals for 2025 is to overcome his fear of talking to people and remove that mental brake that prevents him from conversing freely.

A: He said: “Since birth, I have faced health problems that led me to spend much of my childhood with doctors. These experiences left an imprint on me, hindering my ability to relate to others. I’m determined to change this situation and work on my confidence and social skills. I am convinced that, with hard work and determination, I will be able to overcome these obstacles and enjoy a fuller and more connected life with those around me.”

A: New Year, new opportunities! Keep pushing forward, and remember, every small effort carries you toward your goals. VOV’s English program will always be here to be a source of inspiration and companionship.

B: And that brings us to the end of today’s show. Thank you so much for tuning in and being part of our program. We welcome your feedback at English Service, VOVWorld, 45 Ba Trieu street, Hanoi, Vietnam. Our email address is englishsection@vov.vn.

A: Thank you. Goodbye.