 We thank Amir Jameel of Pakistan for sending us this poster. |
A: It’s always a joy to see your continued interest in the contest 'What do you know about Vietnam?' We’re thrilled to receive so many entries!
B: Regular Indian listener Bidhan Chandra Sanyal told us: “I sent my answer by email, but to make it more interesting, I sent it in the form of a garland of answers in the form of a book by registered post on April 8th. It took a lot of effort to send it like this. Please inform me as soon as possible when you receive it. Also, I request that the interesting answer I sent after the last date of the competition be posted on the website for everyone to see. I look forward to receiving your reply.”
A: Thank you so much, Sanyal, for your creativity and dedication! We truly appreciate the thoughtful effort you put into presenting your answers in a meaningful way. We’ll immediately inform you when we receive the hardcopy.
B: Last week we received an entry from Rabi Sankar Bosu of India, who wrote: “Since the competition was announced on March 12, I've poured my heart and soul into crafting a meticulous research paper-style answer sheet for VOV's prestigious competition. Through countless hours of dedication and hard work, I've strived to create this submission that reflects my knowledge, enthusiasm, and strong passion for my dreamland, Vietnam.”
A: We confirm that we’ve received your submission, along with the two photos you sent for the front and back cover. Your submission, which draws from your experience in a previous contest, truly stands out. Thank you, Mr. Bosu, for your continued enthusiasm and creativity.
B: Amir Jameel, President of the VOV Online Visitors Club in Pakistan, sent us his answers last week, on the 50th anniversary of Vietnam's National Reunification on April 30th. He said: “I hope you will appreciate my responses, and I sincerely hope that this time I will achieve first place and have the opportunity to visit Vietnam, a dream I have cherished since childhood.”
A: We sincerely appreciate your remarkable effort in preparing and sending your answers. Your submission – 70 pages filled with detailed content and a rich collection of images – reflects tremendous dedication and passion.
B: I think our listeners have been saving the best for last.
Good news that the deadline for submitting entries, June 15, will now be extended to June 30 (based on the postmark or the date the email sent). You will have two more weeks to get your entries ready and submit them to VOV.
Additionally, all contestants—including those who do not win a prize—will receive a Certificate of Participation in the “What do you know about Vietnam 2025?” Contest.
We will also award a Prize to the Radio Fan Club, organization, or association with the highest number of entries.
B: It’s amazing to see the thought, effort, and creativity everyone has put into their entry. It shows how much they care about Vietnam and this contest. Keep them coming, we can’t wait to see what’s next!
A: We’d like to remind you that the contest is open not only to VOV’s listeners, but to overseas Vietnamese and to foreigners living anywhere in the world who want to share their knowledge of Vietnam and get a chance to win a trip to our wonderful country. Here are the contest rules and questions. We’ll be back later to acknowledge listener’s letters we received during the week.
B
: I’m reading an email from Luke Maurits of Germany. He told us that he received VOV’s broadcast in Leipzig on the frequency of 9730 kHz on May 8, using a Tecsun PL-330 receiver with an indoor long wire antenna along a window.
A: Reception was moderate, SINPO 35333, and the words were mostly understandable. Luke wrote: “For the first 10 minutes of the broadcast I tried to listen on 11885 kHz, but reception there was much worse, I think due to a high local noise floor rather than propagation. The later transmission on 9730 kHz at 19:00 UTC was, unfortunately, not useful due to heavy interference from China Radio International on the same frequency.”
B: Despite poor listening conditions, Maurits listened to the end of the program, which was a Letterbox segment. He said: “Many letters and emails were received offering congratulations for the 50th anniversary of the liberation of south Vietnam and the unification of the country. The rules for the "What do you know about Vietnam?" contest were read out in full, repeatedly mentioning that entries close on June 15th.”
A: Thank you, Mr. Maurits, for your detailed reception report. We truly appreciate your effort and will be sending you a verification card soon.
B: Here’s an email from Michele Gasparri of Italy. He sent us a reception report for our May 5 program on the frequency of 11885 KHz. He rated SINPO 53344 using an ICOM IC-R6 receiver.
A: We listened to the attached audio file you sent us as proof of your listening. You’ll receive our verification card soon.
B: Dr. Gerald Kallinger of Austria tuned in to VOV on the frequency of 11885 kHz on May 3 from 19:00 to 19:28 UTC and reported really good signal strength and overall good reception quality. He said: “Your cultural music programs are of great interest to me. Please continue your shortwave international broadcasts.”
A: Thank you, Mr. Kallinger, for your kind words of encouragement. We're glad to know you enjoy our cultural music programs. Your support means a lot to us. We’ll do our best to continue our shortwave international broadcasts to stay connected with listeners like you around the world.
 The procession of Buddha relic in Hanoi on May 13, 2025 (photo: www.undv2025vietnam.com) |
B: UN Vesak Day, Buddha's birth and enlightenment celebration, is celebrated by Buddhists in many countries. Rattanak of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, told us: "Vietnam's display of Buddha's relic as part of its Vesak celebration is a noble spiritual activity. I’m impressed with its thoughtful, solemn organization, which shows respect for the sacred values of Buddhism.”
A: Bidhan Chandra Sanyal of India said that, for the first time in history, the sacred Buddha relic from Sarnath, India, will travel to Vietnam for a special display, showing the deep cultural and spiritual ties between India and Vietnam.
B: Mr. Sanyal is a Hindu, but he has deep respect for Lord Buddha and believes that Buddhism’s non-violent path is the path to world peace.
A: The Buddha relic has immense historical significance and was exhibited at Thanh Tam pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City and at Ba Den Mountain in Tay Ninh province in the past two weeks.
B: Tuesday evening, thousands of people gather along the street in downtown Hanoi and around Hoan Kiem lake to welcome the procession of Buddha relic. People can come to Quan Su pagoda to worship Buddha's relic until Friday. After that the relic will be enshrined at Tam Chuc pagoda in Ha Nam province until May 21.
B: That’s it for this week’s Letter Box. Keep writing, keep listening and, until next time, goodbye from Hanoi!