Hey listeners, are you football fans? Have you followed the FIFA World Cup, the biggest football competition in the world?
A: Why don’t you ask me? I am an avid fan right here. You know, I've been staying up until 2am this morning, Hanoi time, watching France vs Senegal game.
B: Ah, you are one of those fans who eat and sleep football.
A: Absolutely! You know since most matches in the US, Canada, and Mexico are played in the afternoon and evening local time, all the games are broadcast live in Vietnam late at night or in the early hours of the morning.
B: I see. You live with your passion no matter what! And speaking of football fever, we've received a question from Pakistani listener Fatimah Zaharah Mohd Nasir, who asks: "Are Vietnamese people excited about watching the World Cup?" To give you a better sense of the excitement, let's hear from some Vietnamese fans.
Coffee shops, sports bars, and late-night eateries remain crowded whenever major teams take the field. Social media is flooded with discussions, predictions, and reactions. Although the late kick-off times can lead to sleepless nights, the excitement of the World Cup continues to unite football lovers across Vietnam. Nguyen Hoang Anh, a football fan in Hanoi, said: "The World Cup only comes around once every four years. I’m a football fan and I’m really excited. This year, I’ll be supporting France. My friends and I usually gather at a café to watch and discuss the matches."
Live broadcasts on large screens are drawing excited crowds of all ages. Hoang Gia Khanh, another football fan in Hanoi, said: "Whenever there’s a World Cup match, we meet at a café or beer garden. Families and groups of friends come together to support their favorites. For us, it’s Portugal."
Many businesses have invested in larger screens, projectors, and upgraded sound systems to enhance the viewing experience for their customers. Huong, the owner of a café on To Hieu street in Hanoi, said: "For this World Cup, we’ve installed 3 projectors and 2 large-screen televisions to give our customers the best possible viewing experience."
A: VOVworld has also launched a special World Cup 2026 section on our website, vovworld.vn. So be sure to visit our website for regular updates throughout the tournament.
B: And now, from football to listener mail. This week, we received a lovely email from Juan Carlos Pérez Montero of Spain to say thank for sending him paper QSL cards. He wrote: “I need to make a list of all your QSLs and the names of the photos. That way, I can see if I can get hold of other different designs over the coming months, even if they’re old ones, I don’t mind. I’ve seen loads online that I don’t have. I’ll keep in touch with you once a month and let you know how things are going. Have a great start to the summer.”
A: Sure, we'll continue sending you verification cards, and we hope you'll have a complete collection soon. We appreciate your dedication and look forward to hearing from you each month about your listening experiences.
B: Let's turn to another message from one of our dedicated listeners, Safril Susanto of Indonesia, who tuned in to VOV's English broadcast on 9840 kHz on June 13 using a Sony ICF-7600D receiver and a DIY long-wire antenna.
A: Mr. Susanto reported some noise and fading during the broadcast and gave reception a SINPO rating of 35333. Even so, the signal was clear enough for him to follow the program from start to finish, including the news bulletin, a review of the World Cup, Current Affairs, and our Urban Rhythm program.
B: Thank you very much, Mr. Susanto. Feedback like yours helps us monitor signal quality in different parts of the world and improve our broadcast.
A: We also received a reception report from Muhammad Aqeel Bashir, a member of the International Radio Listeners Organization of Pakistan. Mr. Bashir monitored our English-language broadcast on June 14 from 1600 to 1630 UTC on 9730 kHz using a Web SDR receiver. He rated the reception at SIO 322 and described the signal quality as poor.
A: Mr. Bashir explained that sending an audio recording longer than two minutes might cause the email to bounce, so he attached a shorter recording to ensure it could be delivered successfully.
B: We appreciate the care you took in preparing and submitting your report and your practical tip about audio file sizes. It's always helpful when listeners share their experiences and suggestions, making communication smoother for everyone. We'd be happy to verify your reception report and send you a QSL card soon. Thank you.
A: Here I have an interesting question from Sun Phol of Phnom Penh, Cambodia: “Does Vietnam have law to govern AI?”
B: The answer is yes. Vietnam officially enacted the Law on Artificial Intelligence, which took effect on March 1, 2026. It establishes a comprehensive legal framework for the development, deployment, and use of artificial intelligence in Vietnam.
A: The Law on Artificial Intelligence is designed with the principle of "regulating to foster development," ensuring a balance between risk management and the promotion of innovation. It is aligned with international practices and helps Vietnam integrate with emerging global technological standards.
B: The law places human beings at the center of AI development and use. It stipulates that AI must serve people rather than replace them, and that human oversight must be maintained in important decision-making processes.
A: Another important feature is that the law also applies to foreign entities that provide or deploy AI systems in Vietnam. This helps create a clear and consistent legal environment as AI becomes increasingly integrated into daily life and economic activities.
B: The law also promotes AI development through regulations on the establishment of a National AI Development Fund, AI vouchers to support businesses, and regulatory sandboxes that allow companies, especially startups, to test innovative AI solutions in a controlled environment. It addresses emerging issues such as AI-generated content, algorithmic ethics, and the responsibilities of cross-border AI service providers.
A: Thank you for your question, Sun Phol. We hope this gives you a clearer picture of how Vietnam is approaching the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence.
B: Our next question is from French listener Jacque Augustin: “Does Vietnam have convenience stores that open around the clock as in South Korea?”
A: Yes, definitely, we have many. Locals and visitors to major cities in Vietnam never have to worry about finding essential goods at any hour of the day. Among the most popular chains are Circle K, which is the largest 24-hour convenience store network, GS25 from South Korea, FamilyMart from Japan, and 7-Eleven.
A: In addition, the Vietnamese-owned WinMart+ chain has thousands of outlets nationwide, making it one of the most accessible places for daily shopping.
B: Many convenience stores have become more than just places to shop. Young people often stop by for a quick meal, a cup of coffee, or simply a place to meet friends and relax, especially late in the evening.
A: Visitors to Vietnam generally don't need to worry if they forget to pack something or run out of daily necessities during their trip. In major cities and tourist destinations, convenience stores, supermarkets, pharmacies, and shopping malls are easy to find and often stay open from early morning until late at night.
B: With that, we've come to the end of this week's edition of the program. If you have a question you'd like us to answer or a story you'd like to share, don't hesitate to get in touch. We'd love to hear from you. Until next Wednesday, thank you for listening. Goodbye!
