 A performance by VOVWORLD’s staff at the celebration of VOVWORLD’s 80th anniversary |
A: Our first letter comes from Colombia. Diego Alejandro Echeverri in Tamesis wrote: “As usual, I want to congratulate you for your excellent programs. I want to tell you that I always listen to you online. I really enjoy your wonderful programs as well as Vietnamese culture.”
B: Thank you so much, Diego. We’re delighted to know that you tune in regularly. It’s heartening to hear that our programs help bring Vietnamese culture closer to friends in Latin America.
A: From Korea, Cheong Yeong Jang shared an experience: “I just completed my trip to Hanoi, Vietnam. The information you shared was really useful and helped me a lot during the journey. Thank you for your helpful updates!”
B: We’re so glad our programs were a practical guide for your travels. That’s exactly what we hope to achieve—connecting stories with real-life experiences. Follow our Discovery Vietnam segment to travel around Vietnam on radio and online and make your experience real by visiting Vietnam one day. We hope to see you soon.
A: On Weibo, our promotional video for the 80th anniversary of VOVWORLD sparked a wave of positive comments. Listener Liu Wei from Guangdong said: “The promotional video was really well made.”
B: Thank you, Liu Wei. It’s encouraging to see our content resonate with audiences in China. We had a grand celebration of VOVWORLD’s 80th anniversary last Thursday, during which we reviewed our development, shared what we plan for the future and more importantly, honor the dedication and love that listeners around the world have had for us.
A: In her remarks, VOVWORLD Director Pho Cam Hoa said: "Throughout its journey, VOVWORLD has consistently upheld the power of external communication, delivering timely and accurate information about a courageous, resilient Vietnam, a peace-loving nation aspiring to stand shoulder to shoulder with the great powers of the five continents. Through its broadcasts, audiences worldwide have come to better understand and appreciate Vietnam – its hardworking, intelligent, dynamic people; its tradition of unity and compassion; and its rich, distinctive culture. That understanding and appreciation have translated into support for Vietnam, both during its struggle for independence and on its present path of renewal and development."
 Director of VOVWORLD Pho Cam Hoa speaks at the ceremony. |
A: On this occasion, we presented awards to the winners of the 2025 “What do you know about Vietnam?” contest. Vicentiu Daniel Gheorghe from Romania, representing the top winners Rudy Hartono from Indonesia and Oikawa Kazuaki from Japan expressed his joy at the award ceremony.
 Vicentiu Daniel Gheorghe of Romania is one of the winners |
He said: "VOV is not just a radio station. It's the bridge of friendship between people all around the world. They have trustworthy news combined with rich cultural content that inspires me to share with others."
B: Once again, we’d like to thank you all for tuning in to VOVWORLD, supporting us and joining our contest. FYI, we’re delivering the Certificate of Participation to all the contestants, so please inform us as soon as you receive it.
A: From Belarus, Igor Belevich wrote: “It’s fascinating to learn about the history and work at the Voice of Vietnam. I love VOV.”
B: Thank you, Igor! It’s always inspiring to know that our history and journey are meaningful to you.
A: Now, let’s move to some of the questions and requests we received over the past week. From Cuba, listener Ezequiel Hernández Gómez asked: “I would like to know which ethnic groups live in Son La province, especially in Moc Chau, near the Lao border, where the Ho Chi Minh Construction Brigade, with Cuban members, built more than 10 dairy farms.”
 At the Moc Chau dairy farm in 1975 |
B: That’s a fascinating question, Ezequiel. Your recall of Cuba’s support for Vietnam more than 50 years ago triggers our curiosity. We searched stories about that historic period and learned that the Moc Chau State Farm was established in 1958, with the initial mission of cultivating food crops while raising cattle and other livestock and poultry to meet the self-sufficiency needs of its staff and workers at the time.
A: In its early years, the farm kept a wide range of animals—buffaloes, cows, horses, goats, sheep, rabbits, pigs, chickens, and even bees for honey production. At the same time, it experimented with numerous crops, both short- and long-term, including rice, maize, sweet potatoes, cassava, beans, peanuts, sesame, as well as tea, hops, apples, pears, and many other types of fruit trees.
B: From a herd with very low milk productivity, the Moc Chau State Farm began to see progress in 1959, when it purchased 10 local dairy cows from Dong Anh, Hanoi. In 1960, the farm expanded by importing 8 dairy cows from China and 6 from the Ba Vi State Farm, raising the herd to 24 cows with higher milk yields.
A: In 1970, Cuba provided Vietnam with 129 dairy cows and between 1974 and 1975, it helped Vietnam develop the Moc Chau Dairy Farm. The assistance included the establishment of 15 dairy cow farms, one calf farm, a specialized dairy cattle hospital, and nearly 1,000 hectares of pasture. Cuba also supplied nearly 900 dairy cows, raising the total herd contributed by the Cuban government to more than 1,000 head.
B: In addition, 12 livestock engineers and two veterinary doctors were trained in Cuba and returned to work at Moc Chau. They brought back the most advanced scientific and technical knowledge in dairy farming at the time. Now “Moc Chau Milk” has grown into one of Vietnam’s leading brands.
 Moc Chau dairy farm in 2025 |
A: And it’s touching to recall the Cuban brigade’s contributions, a lasting symbol of Vietnam–Cuba solidarity. Back to Ezequiel Hernández Gómez’s question, Son La is home to over 12 ethnic groups. The Thai are the largest community, making up more than half of the population. Moc Chau is also home to the Mong, Dao, Muong, and Kho Mu ethnic groups. Each of them contributes to the province’s vibrant cultural mosaic—through festivals, costumes, and traditions.
A: Listener Sok Heng from Cambodia, wrote to us asking about major international festivals hosted by Vietnam.
 At the Hue festival |
B: Well, Vietnam has increasingly become a hub for international cultural events. One of the most notable is the Hue Festival, which gathers artists from across the globe to showcase music, dance, and performance in the ancient imperial city. There’s also the Danang International Fireworks Festival, which lights up the Han River every summer with teams from many countries. And don’t forget the Hanoi International Film Festival, which promotes cinematic exchange.
A: Again, seeing is believing. Come to Vietnam and experience it for yourself. There are still many other questions from other listeners but we will reserve them for the next edition of Letter Box.
A: Looking at this week’s letters, it’s clear that our listeners are not only tuning in but actively engaging with Vietnam—through music, festivals, travel, and history.
B: That’s right. From Colombia to Canada, Cuba to Cambodia, your voices remind us that radio is still a bridge—linking cultures, answering curiosities, and sharing stories that matter.
A: To all our listeners, thank you for your letters, comments, and questions. Please keep writing to us. Your stories inspire our programs, and your questions open new windows into Vietnam’s culture and life.
B: This has been Letter Box of the English Service on the Voice of Vietnam. Until next time, goodbye from Hanoi!