Vietnamese people celebrate Vietnam Family Day on June 28

B: On this occasion, Johnny Antonio Ramirez Lopez of Peru wrote: “Greetings to my dear Voice of Vietnam’s English Language Service, hoping with all my heart that you are all well. A big greeting to Vietnam  and Happy Family Day. Congratulations! Thank you very much for reporting how the Family Day festivities are celebrated in Vietnam. Happy Vietnamese Family Day ! Happy VOV Family Day!”

A: Thank you, Johnny, and other listeners of VOV, for your greetings. Vietnam Family Day is an occasion to remind everyone to reunite with family and treasure precious moments spent together. Vietnam Family Day is not a public holiday but many activities are held across the country to honor family values, tighten bonds between family members, and promote family cultural traditions.

B: In addition to Vietnam Family Day, Vietnam also joins other countries around the world in celebrating International Family Day. International Family Day was begun by the United Nations in 1994. It is observed on May 15 each year to celebrate families,  choosing a different family-focused theme each year.

B: To mark the 20th anniversary of Vietnam Family Day, Vietnamese State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc delivered a message saying Vietnam Family Day honors family values, and encouraging Vietnamese expatriates to remember their home country and loved ones at home.

A: Due to COVID-19, this year’s Vietnam Family Day celebrations were held indoors to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

B: After reading our Discovery Vietnam story about Huynh Thuy Le’s old house in southern Dong Thap province, Carla Stern wrote: “I’m curious to know when Huynh Thuy Le‘s father passed away and when he married his wife. Thank you.”

A: We have researched the question but have found no records of the death of Huynh Cam Thuan - Huynh Thuy Le’s father- or his marriage. Many things are still unknown about the house and the love story between Huynh Thuy Le and his French girlfriend Marguerite Duras that researchers are trying to unveil.

B: For those who haven’t heard or read our story, the Huynh Thuy Le ancient house is associated with the famous novel L’Amant (The lover) and the film based on the novel, which is about the heartbreaking real-life  love story between writer  Marguerite Duras and Le, whose father strongly opposed their affair due to the cultural differences. They broke up after 18 months. L’Amant was written 50 years later and won the 1984 Prix Goncourt, the most prestigious literature award in France. 

B: Over the past few days, many listeners have asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination in Vietnam and Vietnam’s national vaccine fund. After reading our story under the headline “Donations to national COVID-19 vaccine fund amount to 320 million USD”, Nguyen Mai Trang asked where she can donate money to buy more vaccines for Vietnam.

A: Thanks, Trang, for your support. The fund has opened accounts in VND and other currencies at the State Treasury and 6 commercial banks. We have emailed you the list of these accounts. We will also post a list at the end of our Letter Box segment on our website at vovworld.vn. Check it out. Once again, thank you very much.

A: As of Tuesday, Vietnam’s national COVID-19 vaccine fund received more than 340 million USD from more than 350,000 organizations and individuals.

A: This week, many listeners asked about Vietnam’s plan to open its doorsto tourists when herd immunity is ensured with sufficient COVID-19 vaccinations.

A: Vietnam plans to inoculate 70% of its population by the end of this year. To this end, the country is accelerating the purchase of COVID-19 vaccine and vaccination in the community.

B: Vietnam has been using the AstraZeneca vaccine for its immunization program since early March, with almost 3.5 million people getting shots so far.

A: Regular international flights can be gradually resumed by the end of 2021 as the COVID-19 situation is expected to improve in the second half of the year when vaccination is accelerated in Vietnam and in the world, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV).

B: Meanwhile, Kien Giang province proposed that fully vaccinated Russian tourists would be the first allowed back into its Phu Quoc island, Vietnam’s top tourist destination, under their pilot Covid-19 vaccine passport program.

A: They would come by charter flights, stay in resorts on the island and be securely escorted around to limit the risk, according to local authorities.

B: To ensure the safety of the island's 110,000 residents, and speed up the use of vaccine passports, the province hopes to carry out the first phase of vaccinations for its 110,000 population in July and the second phase in September. If everything goes well, the island could allow foreigners back in by September or October.

A: The Vietnamese Prime Minister has asked the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to pilot the vaccine passport scheme soon so that tourism can recover in the remaining months of the year.

A: Phu Quoc island district in Kien Giang province, dubbed “the Pearl Island” or “Living Heaven”, is an ideal place for resorts, sightseeing, and exploring the diverse ecosystem. The world of coral reefs, colorful fish, endless sandy beaches, emerald sea water and hundreds of scenic spots have made Phu Quoc an attractive destination for tourists.

B: The island is surrounded with crystal clear water, blue sea, and white sandy beaches. Its attractions aren’t just limited to its stunning beaches, but extend to historical sites, Buddhist shrines, and fishing villages. Despite the rise of high-end beach resorts, modern facilities, and international dining venues, visitors can still enjoy plenty of sightseeing opportunities during their holiday.

A: Phu Quoc national park takes up more than half of Phu Quoc Island, offering recreational activities such as hiking, camping, wildlife, photography and bird-watching.

B: To explore the diversified marine eco-system, a service of sea walking has been offered and soon become very popular. With this service, visitors can walk under the sea bed with the depth of 5 to 6 meters above the sea level and explore various kinds of coral reef and fish.

B: Apart from traditional tourism products, there are also cycling tours, forest trekking, and tours of fishing villages.

A:  Phu Quoc appeals to visitors during the day with its beautiful beaches and aquatic activities. At night, there’s Phu Quoc night market.

B: Visitors are advised to go once around the market before buying anything because there is such a variety of goods on offer. There are about 100 stalls divided into 2 sections: one for souvenirs and gifts and one for fresh seafood, street snacks, and beverages.

A: Don’t visit Phu Quoc night market without enjoying some street food. Carts selling fresh juices, smoothies, and soft drinks are everywhere. Recommended dishes include grilled scallops, steamed squid with fermented fish sauce, boiled sea snails, crab with noodles, and shrimps. Live fish, sea snails, crabs, and scallops are kept in large tanks for customers to choose from.

B: Phu Quoc has been included in a list of the 17 best places in Asia by CNN.

A: In April, Irish publisher International Living named Phu Quoc Island among the world's 15 best islands to retire this year thanks to its beaches, low cost of living and rich culture.

B: The island has also been honoured by Travelers' Choice Awards 2020 launched by TripAdvisor, the US-based travel planning and booking site.

A: We’re all waiting for the time when we can travel like we did before, safely and freely. We hope that vaccinations will be accelerated around the world so that things will get back to normal soon. Stay safe! 

B: Thank you all for tuning in to VOV’s English broadcast and leaving your comments on our Facebook fanpage. This has been another edition of VOV’s Letter Box. We always 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.vn. You’re invited to visit us online at vovworld.vn, where you can hear both live and recorded programs. Thank you. Goodbye until next time.