Tourists are transported by boats as some streets in Hoi An ancient town are flooded due to heavy rainfall. (Photo: VOV)

A: Reports on Vietnam’s two-tier local government model its initiatives to build dormitories for ethnic minority students and “knowledge fortresses” in border areas also drew considerable interest from our audience.

B: Mexico listener Armando Francisco Higuera del Reyo said: “The unity of the Vietnamese people in overcoming natural disasters is admirable. Vietnam is one of the countries most severely affected by climate change and, like Mexico, is facing severe damage. I hope COP30 in Brazil will yield a positive outcome.”

A: French listener Paul Jamet said: “In recent years, super typhoons have caused major losses of life and property. Could you talk more about Vietnam’s efforts to respond to climate change, and its role in international forums like COP30?”

B: Vietnam is indeed heavily affected by climate change, from rising sea levels to increasingly intense super typhoons.

A: That’s why responding to climate change is one of Vietnam’s top priorities. The actions being taken include reducing plastic pollution, conserving energy, promoting a green lifestyle, developing a circular economy, and – above all – afforestation and ecosystem restoration.

People in Hoi An ancient town use boats as their primary means of transportation during flood days. (photo: VOV)

B: Vietnam has implemented major initiatives such as the “One Billion Trees” program, a large-scale mangrove reforestation project to reduce storm impacts and saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta, and the nationwide “Green Living” campaign that encourages people to adopt low-carbon habits. Forests play an essential role as natural “lungs” that absorb carbon and protect coastal regions.

A: Plastic waste is a major environmental concern, and many initiatives are being carried out to address it. On November 13, Kien Giang University in An Giang province, in collaboration with Germany’s Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences, inaugurated a recycling facility for plastic waste from fishing gear.

Graf von Luxbug Marten Welf Michael, a representative of Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences, said, “From scientific reports, we know approximately 250 million tons is in the oceans and we have to clean that up. That’s not really possible, so we came up with the idea of rafting nets to keep Vietnam’s coastal waters cleaner and remove the fishing gear. Our project involves recycling Vietnamese fishing nets.”

A: Vietnam is an active and responsible participant in global climate cooperation. At COP26 in Scotland in 2021, Vietnam committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, and at the ongoing COP30 in Belém, Brazil, Vietnam continues to promote initiatives on climate finance, just energy transition, forest protection, and South–South cooperation.

248 inter-level schools in border communes will be built or upgraded. (Photo: baochinhphu.vn)

B: Listener Juan Diez from Spain said he’s interested in Vietnam’s efforts to build dormitories and “knowledge fortresses” for ethnic minority students in border areas.

A: The Vietnamese government plans to build or upgrade 248 inter-level schools in border communes. 72 schools are already under construction and the first 100 will be open in time for the 2026–2027 academic year.

B: These schools will have libraries, culture halls, and sports facilities to create a holistic learning environment. By providing a safe and stable place to live, the dormitories will solve the problem of long commute distances limiting access to education, while preserving ethnic cultural heritage.

A: Students in these boarding schools will receive financial support to enable them to focus fully on their studies. The project contributes to social cohesion, national security, and long-term human resource development in border regions, reflecting the Vietnamese government’s commitment to equality, opportunity, and sustainable development for all communities.

Children perform at the inaugural ceremony of the new Da Do school in Lao Cai province, funded by the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) and the Bao An Social Fund.

B: Welcome back to the Letter Box. We’d like to acknowledge some listener reports we received during the week. Richard Lemke of Canada said he received VOV’s English program on his JRC NRD-535 HF receiver, which he has been operating since 1995. That’s 30 years of service!

A: It’s amazing that the old receiver is still performing well. VOV5’s program was received on the frequency of 11,885 kHz. The reception was reported through Universal Shortwave Radio, highlighting Richard’s ongoing interest and dedication to shortwave listening.

B: We also received a reception report from Najimuddin of West Bengal, India. He tuned in to VOV’s English programs on November 15 on the frequency of 7,220 kHz using a Grundig YB 80 receiver with a telescopic rod antenna. He reported the signal as moderate with SINPO at 44343.

A: It’s always great to hear from our listeners in India! Najimuddin said he particularly enjoyed the Saturday Report and the Weekend Music Program. He called the programs “a reliable source of knowledge” and the songs “very enjoyable”.

B: Last week’s listener reports indicated that the frequency 11,185 kHz and 9730 kHz generally provided good reception in Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands.

B: It’s wonderful to have listeners around the world enjoying our programs and sharing their experiences. From Canada to Europe to India, reports show the global reach of VOV and the enthusiasm of our listeners.

A: We look forward to hearing from even more friends around the world in the coming weeks. Goodbye from Hanoi!