B: We have a particularly lively postbag this week. Over the past week, VOVWORLD received more than 480 letters and phone calls from listeners in 35 countries and territories. Thank you for every message, every question, and every reception report.
A: This week, José Ignacio Cos Lezama of Spain shared his interest in Vietnam’s growing economic reputation. “I am particularly interested in economic news reporting that Vietnam is increasingly affirming its position on the international stage thanks to the quality and durability of its domestic products. These achievements help enhance Vietnam’s reputation and make Vietnamese goods increasingly trusted and chosen by consumers.”
B: For some listeners, VOV is an important source of information about the country. S. M. Najimuddin, from West Bengal, India, told us: “Through your program, I learn detailed information about Vietnam. I really like the news about world affairs, events and information related to Vietnam. VOV is my only source of knowledge. It is always the channel I prefer for reliable information.”
A: Sharing the same impression, Reinhard Schumann of Germany said VOV’s programs cover “many diverse topics about Vietnam’s country and people, as well as wonderful information about Asia.”
B: Thank you, Mr. Ignacio, Mr. Najimuddin, and Mr. Schumann, for tuning in to VOVWORLD and sharing your impressions of our programs. In keeping with VOVWORLD’s mission of connecting Vietnam with the world, we hope to keep listeners informed about Vietnam, its people, and its development. We look forward to hearing more from you.
A: For some listeners, a report about a small village can be just as revealing as a major news story. Maguy Roy of France was particularly interested in our Village Life broadcast on October 8. She wrote: “The report about the craft of making basket boats in Tuy An Bac was very good. It introduced a traditional occupation that has long been part of local people’s lives and is increasingly contributing to tourism development. I really liked the program ‘Village Life’ broadcast on October 8. It made me want to visit your beautiful country and discover its hidden charms!”
B: Maguy’s response brings us to Vietnam’s coastal communities, where basket boats have long been part of everyday life. Made from woven bamboo, these round boats reflect the ingenuity of local craftspeople and their close relationship with the sea.
A: Making one requires patience and practical knowledge. Bamboo must be prepared and woven into a sturdy shape, then treated to help protect it from water. The skills are often passed down through families, preserving techniques developed over generations.
B: Today, the craft is attracting visitors who want to see how traditional boats are made and learn about the lives of fishing communities.
A: From a coastal craft, we travel inland to Ninh Binh province to answer a question from Sokunthearith in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He would like to learn about Bai Dinh Pagoda, which received a Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award with a green check mark last August.
B: Bai Dinh is a major Buddhist complex in Ninh Binh, about 100 kilometers south of Hanoi center. It combines an ancient pagoda on a mountainside with a much larger complex developed from 2003. The surrounding region is known for its limestone mountains, waterways, and historic sites.
A: Here are some of Bai Dinh Pagoda’s notable features. The whole Bai Dinh complex covers about 540 hectares, including 27 hectares for the ancient pagoda and 80 hectares for the newer temple area.
B: A gold-gilded bronze Buddha statue weighing 100 metric tons stands inside the Dharma Lord Hall. Outdoors, a 100-metric-ton bronze statue of Maitreya Buddha is recognized as the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia.
A: The pagoda’s Great Bell weighs 36 tons and hangs in the Bell Tower. The complex also features a 13-story stupa rising 100 meters into the sky, described as the tallest Buddhist stupa in Asia.
B: Visitors can also walk along a corridor of Arhat statues stretching nearly three kilometers. It houses 500 stone figures, each about two meters tall, representing Buddhist disciples. Together, they create one of the complex’s most distinctive sights.
A: Jade Well is known as the largest pagoda well in Vietnam, and around 100 bodhi trees were propagated from a sacred tree in India.
B: Those are some of the remarkable features that make Bai Dinh Pagoda stand out. But beyond its impressive scale and records, it remains a place of worship, reflection and discovery.
A: And for visitors exploring Ninh Binh, a trip to Bai Dinh can be combined with the spectacular landscapes of Trang An, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the historic site of Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s first independent feudal capital. All these offer a deeper look at Vietnam’s heritage.
B: This week, Tarek Zeidan, a shortwave listener from Cairo, Egypt, sent a reception report for our English-language broadcast on October 18. He also asked: “Do you have a Muslim community in Vietnam? What is their percentage of the Vietnamese population?”
A: According to the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, there are around 92,000 Muslims in Vietnam, making up nearly 0.1% of the total Vietnamese population. They live in 13 provinces and cities, primarily in southern Vietnam, as well as Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
B: In Vietnam, Islam is practiced predominantly by the Cham ethnic people. It is closely intertwined with Cham identity and heritage. The Cham people have a rich and diverse cultural tradition, and a long history of solidarity with other communities across Vietnam.
A: Before we close, let’s look at the reports that connect our programs to listeners around the world. Victor Guzhov in Samara, Russia, received our English-language service on 12,020 kilohertz on October 16. Using an XHDATA receiver and a five-metre external wire antenna, he recorded a SINPO rating of 22111.
B: Ding Lu, in Jiangyin, Jiangsu Province, China, reported hearing our English program on 9,840 kilohertz on October 19. Using a Tecsun receiver and an external antenna, Ding Lu gave the reception a rating of 43444.
A: Bidhan Chandra Sanyal in West Bengal, India, tuned in on 9,730 kilohertz on October 18 and recorded 43434. Meanwhile, Amir Jameel, president of the VOV Online Visitors Club in Sahiwal, Pakistan, reported a strong and steady signal on 7,220 kilohertz, with a rating of 44444.
B: These figures may look technical, but for shortwave listeners they tell a story: how clearly a program travelled across distance, how much interference affected it, and how well the signal could be heard.
A: Muhammad Idrees and members of Jinnah DX Club in Layyah, Pakistan, also wrote about the friendship they have built with VOVWorld. They described the service as “a wonderful window into Vietnam’s history, culture, traditions, people, and remarkable development.”
B: As the club prepares to celebrate its 36th anniversary in November 2026, its members are looking forward to preserving the history of international broadcasting. Their letter is a reminder that radio listening can become a lifelong interest, bringing people together through shared curiosity about the world.
A: Thank you all for tuning in to Letter Box on the Voice of Vietnam. Until next time, goodbye and good listening!
