B: First on our show today, we’d like to especially say hello to Gerry Neumann of the UK. Mr. Neumann has been listening to VOVWORLD for a very long time and has visited us in Hanoi whenever he comes to Vietnam, for visiting or teaching English in Hoi An.
A: In his most recent email to VOVWORLD, he wrote: “I'm sorry that I haven't contacted you for some time, because of some health problems. But I still try to listen to the English broadcasts on VOV regularly. I particularly enjoy the different items about 'Colourful Vietnam ' 'Village Life' and many others. I know that 1st July was one year since the provinces were reorganized. Is it possible to see a map of the new provinces or maybe a photo?
B: Gerry, it's wonderful to hear from you again. First of all, everyone here at VOVWORLD hopes that your health is improving. Yes, it has been one year since the implementation of the new administrative structure. The reorganization reduced the number of provinces and centrally governed cities from 63 to 34, creating larger administrative units to improve governance, streamline public services and promote more balanced regional development. Although some familiar provincial names have changed or been merged, the cultural identities, historical landmarks and local traditions that make each region unique remain very much present.
A: If you'd like to see the new administrative map, you'll find it on the vovworld.vn website and on the official Government news portals.
B: This week, many listeners shared their interest in our Podcast programs, viewing them as a way to enhance VOV’s connection with listeners in the digital age. While shortwave radio remains at the heart of our international service and continues to bring Vietnam's voice to listeners across continents, we're also embracing new ways to reach audiences wherever they are.
A: VOVWORLD has launched a growing family of podcast channels in different languages. On Spotify, our English podcast VOV5 Beat the Rush and VOV5 English Service deliver concise news updates and insightful stories about Vietnam and the world in a lively, easy-to-follow format.
B: For Vietnamese listeners interested in international affairs, VOV5 Thế giới nhìn từ Hà Nội or The World Seen from Hanoi offers thoughtful analysis from a Vietnamese perspective.
A: For our French-speaking audience, “VOV5- Café, Livres Et Cine” is a wonderful destination for book lovers and film enthusiasts, while for Vietnamese communities abroad, VOV5 Người Việt Muôn Phương brings inspiring stories of overseas Vietnamese who are preserving their cultural identity while contributing to their adopted countries.
B: Most recently, in early July, VOV5's Chinese Service has launched a brand-new weekly podcast titled "Sunday Stories about Vietnam." It has already attracted a great deal of attention on Weibo.
A: Our listener Fan Hong Ji from Zhejiang Province writes: "I fully support this new initiative. I believe this energetic new podcast will inject fresh momentum into your development. I hope future episodes will feature even richer content so more listeners can gain a deeper understanding of Vietnam and its remarkable achievements."
B: Thank you very much, Mr. Fan, for your thoughtful comments and constructive suggestions.
A: Building on this success, VOVWORLD plans to launch podcast programs in all of our language services in the near future, bringing more stories about Vietnam and the world to listeners everywhere.
B: Shorts featuring these podcasts are also posted on our Tiktok channels. We hope to receive your continued support and hope you'll continue to listen, share your thoughts, and accompany us on this exciting journey.
A: This week, our friend Piotr Skorek from Poland writes: "With the FIFA World Cup creating so much excitement, I'd like to know more about football in Vietnam. How are the leagues organized? Are the clubs professional? Does Vietnam have women's football competitions?"
B: Great timing, Piotr! Football is by far the most popular sport in Vietnam.
A: Vietnam's domestic football system, organized by the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), provides a comprehensive pathway for players from grassroots to elite competition.
B: The men's professional pyramid includes V.League 1, Vietnam’s top division, V.League 2, and the National Cup, a knockout tournament featuring clubs from both leagues. The season traditionally opens with the National Super Cup between the league and cup champions.
A: Women's football continues to expand through the National Women's Championship, Women's National Cup, and youth tournaments, all supporting the national team's growing success.
B: Vietnam also hosts annual youth competitions for age groups from U11 to U21, helping identify and develop future stars. Futsal has become one of Vietnam's strongest disciplines, with national league and cup competitions producing players who have represented the country at the FIFA Futsal World Cup.
A: Beach football championships further diversify the domestic calendar, reflecting the VFF's commitment to developing football in all its forms across the country.
B: Vietnamese football has made remarkable progress over the past decade. The national team has won the ASEAN Championship several times and regularly competes in Asian tournaments. Vietnamese clubs also participate in regional competitions organized by the Asian Football Confederation.
A: The Vietnam Women's National Championship has been held for more than two decades and has produced some of Asia's finest players. In 2023, the Vietnamese women's national team made history by qualifying for the FIFA Women's World Cup for the first time, marking a milestone not only for women's football but for Vietnamese sport as a whole.
B: Women's football continues to receive increasing support from fans, sponsors and football authorities, inspiring more young girls to pursue the sport.
A: Our next question comes from Phuvongsa in Houaphanh province, Laos. He asks: "How many Vietnam-Laos seaports are there in central Vietnam, and where are they located?"
B: Laos is a landlocked country, so access to seaports is extremely important for international trade. Today, several central Vietnamese seaports serve as maritime gateways for Lao exports and imports. Among the most important are Vung Ang Port in Ha Tinh province, Chan May Port in Hue City, and Da Nang Port.
A: Of these, Vung Ang Port plays a particularly significant role. Connected to Laos through the East-West transport corridor and modern highways, it has become one of Laos' main gateways to the sea.
B: These ports are more than transportation hubs. They symbolize the close economic cooperation and long-standing friendship between Vietnam and Laos.
A: Once again, we'd like to thank all our listeners who wrote to us this week—from China, India, Russia, Laos, Poland and many other countries around the world.
B: Your letters inspire us to keep improving our programs, whether through traditional shortwave broadcasts, our website, social media or our new podcasts.
A: That's all for this week's program. Until next time, goodbye!
