A: Here I have a message from listener Aksa Ahmed, a member of the VOV Listeners' Club in Bangladesh. Aksa has been tuning in to VOV for the past 13 years and enjoys a wide range of features, including Current Affairs, Village Life, Discovery Vietnam, Personality of the Week, and, of course, Letter Box.
B: On July 10, he listened to our Culture program featuring "Cham cultural heritage goes digital," which described a good way to preserve and promote cultural values.
A: As our report mentioned, many of the Cham ethnic people's most significant cultural heritage sites have now been digitised. Whether you're visiting these sites in person or exploring them from anywhere in the world, you can discover centuries-old Cham towers and priceless artifacts through QR codes, 3D models, and virtual reality technology.
B: As the saying goes, seeing is believing. So the experience becomes even more memorable if you have the opportunity to visit Vietnam and explore these remarkable heritage sites yourself. Standing before the ancient Cham towers and learning about their rich history and culture offers an experience that no virtual tour can fully replace.
A: Thank you very much, Aksa, for your continued support and for being such a loyal listener over the years. We hope you'll continue to accompany VOV and share your thoughts with us.
B: Our next message comes from Muhammad Aqeel Bashir, a member of the Pak Listeners Club in Pakistan. Bashir regularly tunes in to VOV's shortwave broadcasts on 7220 kHz and also follows our news on vovworld.vn.
A: Recently, he read our Doctor at Home feature titled “Rise of running injuries: What recreational runners should know." He told us he found it very informative, especially the interview with sports medicine specialist Nguyen Quyet Thang, who explained in simple terms that many running injuries occur because runners increase the intensity or distance of their training too quickly.
B: Bashir asks an interesting question: Should marathon organizers make basic injury prevention education a compulsory part of race registration for recreational runners?
A: Thank you, Bashir, for raising this important topic. Many race organizers already provide training guides, race manuals, and health advice through their websites, social media channels, or pre-race emails. These resources encourage runners to build up their training gradually, choose appropriate footwear, warm up properly, stay hydrated, and pay attention to warning signs from their bodies.
B: Ultimately, every runner also has a personal responsibility to prepare adequately before taking on a race.
A: Speaking of marathon running, Vietnam has become an increasingly attractive destination for runners from around the world. In recent years, several international-standard races have become popular, attracting tens of thousands of participants and combining sport with discovery of the local culture, history, and natural landscape.
B: The largest is the Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon, which welcomed more than 23,000 runners from 81 countries and territories last December. The racers run through the center of Ho Chi Minh City, passing landmarks such as Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, and the Saigon River before finishing in the modern Thu Thiem New Urban Area. The annual event has become one of Vietnam's premier sports tourism attractions, with lively entertainment, cultural performances, and enthusiastic crowds cheering runners along the route.
A: In northern Vietnam, the Techcombank Hanoi International Marathon has also gained international recognition. Last year’s edition in October attracted more than 13,000 runners from 55 countries and territories. The course takes runners around Hoan Kiem Lake, through the Old Quarter, past the Hanoi Opera House, Ba Dinh Square, and West Lake. For many international participants, it offers a unique opportunity to experience Hanoi's sights and sounds while taking part in a world-class sporting event.
B: Another standout event is the VnExpress Marathon Ho Chi Minh City Midnight, Vietnam's largest night marathon. The race is usually organized in February or March. The 2026 competition drew 13,000 runners, including more than 1,000 international participants from 54 countries and territories.
A: Starting shortly after midnight, the runners make their way through the streets of downtown Ho Chi Minh City, passing landmarks such as Ben Thanh Market, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, and the Saigon River. The cooler temperatures, vibrant nightlife, and festive atmosphere have made it a favourite among both Vietnamese and overseas runners.
B: Beyond the three flagship international marathons, Vietnam hosts dozens of scenic road races throughout the year.
A: VnExpress Marathon Amazing Ha Long is usually held in May in Quang Ninh province. The course runs along the coast overlooking Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and crosses Bai Chay Bridge, offering panoramic views of thousands of limestone islands. Many runners complement the race with additional cruises and sightseeing in the iconic bay.
B: Moc Chau Ultra Trail takes place every January in Son La province. Instead of city streets, runners traverse tea plantations, rolling hills, forests, and ethnic minority villages in Moc Chau Plateau. The race is especially popular during the plum blossom season.
A: Da Nang International Marathon is one of Vietnam's oldest international marathons, held every March in the central city of Da Nang. The route follows the Han River and My Khe Beach, crosses iconic bridges such as the Dragon Bridge, and finishes along the city's beautiful coastline. It regularly attracts runners from more than 60 countries.
B: Whether you're an experienced marathon runner or simply looking for a new travel adventure, Vietnam has a race to suit every interest. Now, let's move from the running track to another topic that many of our listeners care about, our QSL cards.
A: Abid Hussain Sajid, a DXer from Pakistan, said he just received two QSL cards from VOV and was delighted to see their new design. He writes that the redesigned envelopes are more attractive and create "a beautiful feeling in one's heart and mind." He also likes the new layout of the QSL card, which features a lovely photograph of Ba Khan Lake, a stunning part of the vast Hoa Binh reservoir in Hoa Binh province. Abid concludes his message with a simple but meaningful compliment: "Well done, VOV."
B: Thank you very much, Abid, for your encouraging words. While a QSL card serves as official confirmation of a listener's reception report, we also hope it becomes a memorable keepsake that reflects the beauty of Vietnam.
A: Our next letter comes from Francis Lawlor in Dublin, Ireland, who recently tuned in to our English shortwave broadcast on July 10 on 11,885 kHz. He was listening on a Sony table radio with a telescopic antenna and rated the reception SINPO at all 4s, indicating a generally good signal.
B: Francis noted several items from the broadcast, including news about the recovery of the remains of fallen soldiers, Vietnam's economy and education. He also mentioned our commentary on the resumption of US attacks on Iran, and stories on organic tea cultivation and the use of virtual reality technology to showcase Vietnam's cultural heritage.
A: Thank you, Francis, for your detailed reception report. We’d be delighted to send you a VOV QSL card to confirm it. We hope the card will soon make its way to your place and become another memorable addition to your collection.
B: This week we acknowledge feedback from Lars Gellermann of Hamburg, Germany, Johnny Antonio Ramírez López of Peru, Vijay Kumar and Siddhartha Bhattacharjee of India, Fumito Hokamura and Hideyuki Kobayashi of Japan, Amir Jameel of Pakistan, Mohamed Elsayed Abd Elraheim of Egypt, Kwon Dae Geun of South Korea, and Krzysztof Burek of Poland.
A: To all our DX listeners, if you'd like to receive a VOV QSL card, simply send us a reception report with details such as the date, time, frequency, programme highlights, and signal quality. Every report helps us improve our broadcasts, and we're always happy to hear from listeners around the world.
B: We are Nhat Quynh and Phuong Khanh. Thank you for listening and writing to us. Until next time, goodbye!
