 VOV appreciates all correspondence and feedback from listeners around the world |
B: Thank you, Mr. Daud Jabbarkhel, for tuning in to VOV again. We hope to receive more regular feedback from you. Our program is now available on the internet at vovworld.vn and application VOV Media.
A: We’d like to thank Ashik Eqbal Tokon of Bangladesh for sending us beautiful stickers and paintings celebrating VOV’s 77th founding anniversary. In his letter to VOV, he wrote: “77 years is not only a milestone but a journey of dream, reality, and success for connectivity, convergence and convenience with Vietnam and the world. We VOV Spectators’ Association of Bangladesh is happy to celebrate VOV’s anniversary with joy and happiness.”
 We’d like to thank Ashik Eqbal Tokon of Bangladesh for sending us beautiful stickers and paintings celebrating VOV’s 77th founding anniversary. |
B: We’re greatly appreciative of your correspondence and affection for VOV. They’re very beautiful and impressive bringing a source of great encouragement for us. Thank you very much.
A: Next, we’d like to acknowledge feedback from Bidhan Chandra Sanyal of India. In his correspondence this week, Mr. Sanyal told us about winter in India and food prepared by grandmothers with Nalen jaggery. He wrote: “Winter is a good time for foodies. One of the favorite foods of Bengalis in winter is 'Vapa Pithe', which is called 'Bhapa Pitha' or 'Bhapaiya Pitha' in colloquial language. Vapa pitha is a very popular food for everyone. Along with that, there are many vegetables, which are eager to come to the kitchen to satisfy the taste.”
B: Sharing his impression of VOV’s broadcasts, he wrote: “It's fun to listen to Voice of Vietnam on a lazy day. Entertainment on the one hand and knowledge on the other - both are a great combination. Can you tell me something about winter in Vietnam? “
 The Mount Fansipan in Sapa is blanketed with around 60-centimeter-thick snow. |
A: Winter in Vietnam falls somewhere between November to February, and you will feel cold. A lot of tourists travel in the winter as it is the holiday season and Vietnam is among the best choices during this time. Outdoor activities like trekking, mountain biking, climbing in the north of Vietnam are popular activities in the winter.
B: Northern Vietnam, which includes popular destinations like Sapa, Hanoi, and Ha Long Bay becomes cold in the winter. The temperature in this region fluctuates from 10°C to 22°C. Mountainous regions like Mount Fansipan, Mau Son get the coldest in December & January, the temperature may drop below 0°C.
A: However, winter in Vietnam is not as cold as it is in other parts of the globe. The temperature in the winter is still higher than it is in the spring or fall of other countries in North America or Europe. When there is snow in some places in the North like the top of Mount Fansipan, the mountains become incredibly beautiful. Winter in Vietnam is still a great time to visit.
A: And what foods are best to eat in Vietnam in cold weather? Check out our list which we believe that are mentioned in our Letter Box for the very first time.
 Oc Luoc or boiled snails |
B: First, boiled snails. Talking about Hanoi delicacies in winter, we have to mention the Oc Luoc. Visitors can easily find the pot boiled snails sold on the streets, and the smell is wonderful. Every shop attracts its customers with their own recipe for a secret sauce served with the boiled snails. However, the harmony between the cooking characteristics of the snails and warmth of the sauce mixed with ginger, chili, and lemongrass has made this a specialty dish.
 My ga tan or herbal chicken soup |
A: My ga tan or herbal chicken soup served with noodle is another must-try. On a winter’s day, my ga tan is great for you, especially after wandering the streets or after work. This is not only a delicious dish but also a really healthy food.
The soft and fat of the chicken, the bitter taste of wormwood, a little bit of chili with bean sprouts, and more particularly the sweet and mellow taste of the herbs make this a scrumptious dish.
 Bánh Rán Mặn, Savory Fried Rice dumplings |
B: Bánh Rán Mặn, Savory Fried Rice dumplings, crispy, fried rice balls are filled with delicious ground pork and served with a sweet and salty fish sauce that compliments the cake’s savory interior. Bánh rán mặn is one of the most sought-after street foods in Vietnam, and legend has it, that eating one on a cold day with friends creates a feeling so warm it’ll last a lifetime.
 Chè Trôi Nước, Sticky Rice Ball Desert |
A: Chè Trôi Nước, Sticky Rice Ball Desert, is our next suggestion. Looking for something sweet to follow your savory soups and fried cakes? One bite of these sticky rice balls smothered in ginger syrup will have you booking a trip to Vietnam to escape the cold for good. The glutinous rice balls filled with a thick mung bean paste are served warm and best when followed by a nap.
B: Well, our list could be longer. Seeing is believing. Tasting is believing, also. We hope that you will visit Vietnam one day and to do all the things we mentioned in our list.
A: In a letter to VOV this week, David Ansel of England sent us a reception report for a VOV broadcast on October 31st on the frequency of 11885 khz. Using a receiver made by Tecsun, he wrote, the reception of VOV was good with excellent signal and no noise or interference. He rated SINPO 55534.
B: Thank you, Mr. Ansel, for your detailed reception report. We look forward to receiving more correspondence from you.
A: S B Sharma of India shared his interest in last week’s Letter Box and the story about the winners of the Hanoi International Film Festival. He wrote: Congratulations to all the winners of the Hanoi International Film Festival. The awards are evidence of their hard and good work. The VOV team sets a good example of hard work with its reporting and presenting of stories about Vietnam and the world. Keep it up. Best wishes to the team at VOV.”
B: Thank you, Mr. Sharma, for your regular feedback which is a source of great encouragement to us. This week we received more than 320 letters from listeners in 33 countries and territories around the world.
A: Mauricio Vallese of Argentina wrote: “ I love stories about Southeast Asian culture and Vietnam’s relations with Latin America and news stories.“
B: Thipachan of Laos wrote: “I used to study at the Hanoi Culture University. On the occasion of Vietnamese Teachers‘ Day, I would like to, on behalf of foreign studentts in Vietnam, convey my best wishes and express my gratitude to all the teachers.“
A: Ding Lu of China said he wanted to send his best wishes to Vietnamese teachers on the occasion of Vietnamese Teachers‘ Day. He said that, to his understanding, Teachers‘ Day is a special day in Vietnam celebrated in a jubilant, exciting atmosphere. It’s a day when Vietnamese students express their love, respect, and gratitude to their teachers. This is a beautiful tradition of Vietnam, he wrote.
 Teachers‘ Day falls on the 20th of November (photo: Hoang Ha) |
B: In Vietnam, Teachers‘ Day falls on the 20th of November. It a day for students to show respect and gratitude to their teachers. Vietnamese Teachers‘ Day is a big day for the teachers but also for all of society.
A: In Asian culture, we have a saying that if someone teaches you even just one word, you have to consider them your teacher. That shows how important teachers are and how much we appreciate them. Adults thank former teachers for giving them knowledge and many life lessons.
A: On November 20th 1982, the first nationwide celebration was held. It has become one of important days for the education sector, honoring every individual that contributes to education. Teachers and students in Vietnam take the day off to celebrate Teachers’ Day.
B: Thank you all for tuning in to VOV and sending us your feedback. We 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.
B: Check out our VOV Media App, available on both the IOS and Android platforms, to hear our live broadcasts. We look forward to your feedback on the mobile version of vovworld.vn. Once again, thank you all for listening. Goodbye!