B: Thank you very much for tuning in to VOV, Mr. Guppy. We’ll send you our frequency list and program schedule. We hope to hear more from you.

Hanoi’s Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university. The temple was built in 1070.

A: This week, we’ve continued to receive entries for our contest “What do you know about Vietnam?” which is held every five years to mark major milestones of Vietnam and the Voice of Vietnam.

B: SB Sharma of India sent us his entry to the contest this week. He wrote: “Here I am attaching my entry for the ongoing contest of Radio the Voice of Vietnam. Please accept my greetings and thanks from the bottom of my heart for organizing this very interesting contest. It has enhanced my knowledge of your beautiful, charming country Vietnam. I wish you success with this event. Due to the pandemic lockdown I’m sending an electronic copy of my entry. Hopefully, after the lockdown, I will send a printed copy. My fellow club members are also preparing entries and hopefully will send them soon. I would be happy to get a confirmation from you,”

A: Thanks a lot, Mr. Sharma, for sending us your beautifully-illustrated, informative, and moving story about Vietnam. We are not the judges for the contest but we find your entry very revealing of your investment in the story and your love for Vietnam and VOV.

B: We welcome electronic contest entries. The COVID-19 lockdown has affected every aspect of life.

A: Around the world, the epidemic has been partly contained through the efforts of many countries. In Vietnam, we have gone 34 days with no new COVID-19 transmission.

B: We are now resuming our normal activities and beginning to adapt to a new normal as the risk of infection remains.

A: Domestic tourism is reviving as airlines resume their flight schedules and hotels and tourist attractions re-open throughout the country.

One of Hanoi’s most popular tourist attractions, Hoa Lo Prison welcomes a very small number of visitors on the first day of reopening.

B: Though some restrictions remain in place, Ho Chi Minh City recently lifted its ban on most entertainment facilities and non-essential businesses, including pubs, cinemas and spas. Hanoi has reopened its historical sites.

A: We’d like to acknowledge another entry from M Saleem Akhtar Chadhar of Pakistan.

B: In his email to VOV, Mr. Chadhar wrote: “Greetings from Pakistan. Hope you will be fine. We are also fine. Thank you very much for  your “What do you know about Vietnam?” contest. I’ve gathered much information about Vietnam and its beautiful countryside. Through this event I’ve gained knowledge about Vietnam’s most attractive places, her cultural events, life style, and much more.”

A: Thank you, Mr. Chadhar for participating in our contest. Your beautifully-written and detailed entry looks like a strong contender.

B: Once again, we urge all VOV listeners to participate in our contest “What do you know about Vietnam” for a chance to visit our country.

A: The 6 contest questions and contest rules are posted on our website at vovworld.vn.

B: This week, Jayanta Chakrabarty of India sent us a reception report for a program from 16:00 - 16:30 UTC on May 13 on the frequency of 7220 khz with SINPO of all 4s.

A: He wrote: “As a regular listener to your informative and highly-rated programs, I am happy to send my appreciation to all members of the VOV English Service for the wonderful entertainment you are providing for my family and me even during this grim period when the world is struggling with the menace of the Covid-19 pandemic.  Please stay safe, stay healthy.”

B: Thank you, Mr. Chakrabarty, for sending us regular reception reports. We’ll send you QSL cards to confirm your reports.

A: This week, several listeners asked about Vietnamese people’s favorite summertime dishes. To list all of them would take a lot of time.

Lotus seed sweet soup, a favorite dish of Hanoi people in summer

B: Summer is when colorful flowers bloom in Hanoi. The lotus – Vietnam’s national flower – is one of the most beautiful. When lotus flower season comes in June, it’s time for Hanoians to start cooking something refreshing and healthy to keep themselves cool in the hot summer weather. When it comes to heat-relieving foods, lotus seed sweet soup is one of the first ones we think of.

A: Although lotus seed sweet soup is commonly sold as a dessert in the small tourist food stalls of Hanoi's Old Quarter, it is so amazingly delicious that it’s enjoyed by Hanoians all over the city.

B: This traditional sweet soup maintains its position on the Vietnamese favorite dessert list despite competition from non-native desserts such as Che Khuc Bach – almond pannacotta with lychee sweet soup - and Thai sweet gruel.

A: The recipe for lotus seed sweet soup is simple. The main ingredient is dried lotus seeds, which are usually soaked overnight, then cooked in sugar water until tender enough to eat. The other ingredients depend on the cook, but mung beans, grass jelly and boba tapioca pearls are often added.

B: Lotus seed sweet soup is the first choice of Hanoians for beating the summer heat because it has a unique flavor of Hanoi. It is neither sophisticatedly garnished nor eye-catching in color, it’s simplicity creates its attractiveness as a dessert.

A: Lotus seed sweet soup is not only delicious and elegant, it’s good for one’s health. It can work as a tonic, help you stay cool on a hot day because of its heat-relieving nature, give you a good night’s sleep or even improve your strength.

B: For more stories about food, check out our “Food Delight” segment on our website at vovworld.vn or in our English 247 broadcast streamed on our VOV Media app.

A: Thank you all for your technical reception reports and feedback on our programming content. It helps us improve our broadcasts. We’ll send you QSL cards as confirmation.

B: Once again, we’d like to remind you of our contest “What do you know about Vietnam?.” Information about the contest is available on our website: vovworld.vn.

A: We welcome your feedback at: English Service, VOVworld, the Voice of Vietnam, 45 Ba Trieu street, Hanoi, Vietnam. Or you can email us at our new email address: englishsection@vov.vn. You’re invited to visit us online at vovworld.vn, where you can hear both live and recorded programs.

B: We look forward to your feedback on the mobile version of vovworld.vn. Once again, thank you all for listening.