A: Bun Cha- the traditional Vietnamese dish - consists of grilled pork served in a broth or with dipping sauce, along with rice noodles and fresh herbs. It is one of the oldest favorites of northern Vietnamese cuisine. The pork is grilled in two styles.

(VOVworld) - We’ve received a lovely postcard and letter from Marlene Sherburne of the US. She wrote: “I haven’t written to you in some time and wanted to send you this card. One reason is to let you know I’m thinking of you and listening to your broadcast on the internet. I bought a computer because so many short-wave stations are leaving radio and going on the computer. I don’t like it at all but there is nothing I can do. At least I can still listen to my friends overseas.”

(VOVworld) - From Japan, Fumito Hokamura told us about powerful earthquakes that shook the Kumamoto region last month and destroyed many houses. He said this area hadn’t recorded many earthquakes before. At least 49 people were killed and about 3,000 others were injured in a magnitude 7 main shock on April 16 and a foreshock earthquake with a magnitude 6.2 on April 14. About 500 discernible aftershocks were observed about 10km away in Fumito’s hometown of Okagaki-machi, Fukuoka.

B: The success of the 1975 Spring General Offensive and Uprising, which culminated in the historic HCM campaign ended Vietnamese people’s anti-US war. It marked a milestone in Vietnam’s history of resisting foreign invaders.

(VOVworld) - Although it’s the beginning of summer, it’s pretty hot with the midday temperature in Hanoi at around 32 DC and HCM city at 36 DC. Luckily there are some showers in the evening to cool the temperature. And in the morning, the weather is as pleasant as in the autumn.

A: We’d like to thank Robert Krolikowski of the US for sending us late Easter greetings with a beautiful Easter Card and a greeting card marking St Patrick’s Day. Thank you for all the nice wishes.

A: We’d like to thank Robert Krolikowski of the US for sending us late Easter greetings with a beautiful Easter Card and a greeting card marking St Patrick’s Day. Thank you for all the nice wishes.

A: In an email to VOV this week, SB Sharma of India asked about some special food made with green bananas, so we’ll tell you about snails cooked with green banana and tofu, a delicious dish popular in northern Vietnam. This dish requires a lot of steps in processing, so it’s often cooked at weekends when the whole family gathers.

A: I have a letter from Robert Gauvin who wrote to us on a snowy night in Ottawa, Canada. He said “winter this year came late to most of Canada. The last few weeks winter has made up for its late arrival. Snow is still falling in early March and the temperature falls below -10DC during the day.”

A: Vietnam has many colorful festivals and annual events which range from simply entertaining the community to honoring Vietnam’s founders and heroes.