B: Thank you for staying connected with us through the airwaves and online.
 Letters from listeners participating in VOV's contest |
A: As the deadline for the contest “What do you know about Vietnam?” is coming to a close, we are receiving more and more entries from our listeners worldwide.
B: We’re so moved to receive an entry from a young listener from India, who told us that he is a poet. Sending a well-prepared entry, Deepika wrote: “As a 15-year-old poet from India, I’ve never been to Vietnam. But I’ve felt it — in the voices on VOV, in the poetry I read, in the stories I imagine. This contest is not just about answers. For me, it’s about connection. I write because I believe words can travel where feet cannot. Maybe one day, I’ll walk through Hoi An or sail in Ha Long Bay. But even now, through this contest, I feel a little closer to that dream. Thank you, VOV, for giving us a voice to share our love for a country we admire — even from afar.”
A: Thank you Deepika for participating in the contest. We’re impressed with your answers to our questions, especially from a young foreign listener like you. We highly appreciate your entry and hope to see you in Vietnam one day.
B: Another highlight of our ongoing contest is the enthusiastic participation of Mr. Tran Le Binh from the Netherlands, "I love Vietnam deeply, I'm now 80 years old, and I hope to visit your radio station one day. That’s why I’ve decided to join this contest. Thank you!"
 Letters from listeners participating in VOV's contest |
B: Well, the participants in our contest have a wide age range. So far, we have known the youngest and the oldest participants but yet, more entries are coming and so are more surprises. Anyway, Binh, thanks for participating in the contest. We wish you good health and hope your dream of visiting us comes true.
A: We have received many high-quality entries, which shows a great deal of effort in research and presentation.
B: Notably, a 99-page entry from a Japanese listener features rich information and careful formatting. A 58-page submission from a Romanian listener is also among the top-rated entries. Many Indonesian listeners have sent well-prepared entries of 32 and 42 pages. Some entries have eye-catching layouts from the covers, to the selective images for illustration.
A: The French section received entries from an Indian father and son, who both cherish Vietnam and regularly listen to VOV’s broadcasts. Besides sending entries by emails, some listeners sent hard-copies by post.
B: Antonio Argolo Silva Neto from Brazil wrote: "I heard about the contest about Vietnam. It’s a fantastic idea! For me, international broadcasting is not only a passion but a valuable way to learn. I’m excited and will try my best to join!"
A: We’re happy to have your participation, Antonio. Good luck! This week, we’d like to acknowledge entries from Ashik Eqbal Tokon, Udit Sankar Bosu fromIndia, and Manisha Chakraborty, a freelance Indian journalist . Thank you all again for sending entries to the contest and we wish you all the best of luck.
(VOVWORLD) - Dear audiences of Voice of Vietnam! Only two weeks are left until the deadline for submitting entries of the What Do You Know About Vietnam Contest 2025. As June 30 approaches, excitement runs high.
(VOVWORLD) - The Voice of Vietnam (VOV) is holding its “What do you know about Vietnam?” contest from March 10, 2025, to June 30, 2025. The followings are the stories that give you related information:
(VOVWORLD) -The Voice of Vietnam (VOV) is holding its “What do you know about Vietnam?” contest from March 10, 2025, to June 30, 2025.
(VOVWORLD) -Dear audiences of Voice of Vietnam!
A: In an email to VOV, Sun Phol from Phnom Penh, Cambodia wrote: "I watched the French President’s recent visit to Vietnam, and what impressed me the most was the friendliness and openness of the Vietnamese people. Perhaps this is why many international leaders take time during their visits to experience the daily life of the locals."
 French President Emanuel Macron visited Vietnam from May 25 to May 27 at the invitation of Vietnamese President Luong Cuong |
B: People’s hospitality and friendliness are attractions of Vietnam in addition to its rich and diverse culture. Thank you, Sun Phol. We’re proud that the warmth of our people leaves such a lasting impression.
A: Zhang Chenggang from Shanxi, China said: "In mainland China, there’s a lot of information about Europe, the US, Japan, and Korea, but not much about Vietnam. For ordinary people like me, the best way to understand a country is through the daily lives of its people. Today is the Dragon Boat Festival—happy festival to you!"
B: Thank you, Mr. Zhang! We’ll work harder to provide more in-depth stories about Vietnam’s culture and life.
A: In their emails to VOV, many listeners share their interest in Vietnamese cuisine, some of them told us that they have started cooking Vietnamese food using the recipes we shared on our website in the Food Delight segment.
B: Good luck to you all and we hope that you enjoy the food.
A: This week, Lutz Winkler of Schmitten, Germany asked about vegetarian food in Vietnam and its culture and trends.
B: Well, from Buddhist traditions to Gen Z TikTok trends, Vietnam's vegetarian cuisine is undergoing a renaissance, blending a spiritual legacy with contemporary innovation.
 (Photo: Mai Phuong/VOV5) |
A: Vegetarianism in Vietnam has deep roots in Buddhism, where many devotees observe vegetarian days twice a month, especially on the 1st and 15th of the lunar calendar. Pagodas often serve modest meals of simmered tofu, boiled greens, and braised mushrooms—clean, humble dishes prepared with spiritual mindfulness.
B: In some restaurants, Vietnamese vegetarian dishes imitate meat-based recipes, using soybean-based products like tofu, vegetarian sausage, and wheat gluten to recreate the flavors of dishes such as noodle soup or simmered pork. The artistry lies in using plant-based ingredients to capture the umami depth that Vietnamese palates crave.
A: But today, vegetarianism is no longer limited to temple fare or religious rituals. Across Vietnam’s cities, a new generation of diners is choosing plant-based diets for health, sustainability, and lifestyle. According to a 2023 report by Vietnam's Institute of Nutrition, nearly 10% of urban youth identify as flexitarians or vegetarians, driven by global wellness trends and social media influence.
B: In Ho Chi Minh City, cafes like Prem Bistro and The Organik House, offer kale smoothies, quinoa bowls, and jackfruit tacos alongside traditional Buddhist-style meals. In Hanoi, Uu Dam restaurant blends ancient décor with a luxury vegetarian menu, serving lotus-stuffed glutinous rice and mushroom-stewed hotpots with fine tea pairings.
A: In a country celebrated for its culinary diversity, vegetarianism in Vietnam is not a departure from tradition, but an evolution of it. Whether served on temple grounds or in rooftop bistros, vegetarianism is gaining not just believers, but connoisseurs. As Vietnam balances its spiritual heritage with modern values, vegetarian food is more than a dish, it’s a movement.
B: And that brings us to the end of this week’s Letter Box. Thank you once again for your heartfelt letters, insightful contest entries, and kind words from all corners of the globe. Each message is a bridge connecting us closer to you.
A: From stories of young poets to senior listeners, from vegetarian recipes to reflections on Vietnamese hospitality, your voices make our program more vibrant and meaningful.
B: Please keep writing to us, whether by email, post, or on our website. We love hearing your stories, experiences, and ideas.
B: And don’t forget the deadline for the “What do you know about Vietnam?” The contest's deadline- June 30- is fast approaching. So if you haven’t submitted your entry yet, there’s still time to join!