 Choah village rice field in the Central Highland province of Dak Nong is a special rice area as it has been created from both volcanic eruptions and alluvial deposits over centuries. |
B: First, we’d like to welcome Michele Gasparri of Italy to VOV. He sent us his first reception report to VOV for our broadcast on Saturday, June 15 on the frequency of 11885 kHz. Mr. Gasparri reported that the transmission was received with an ICOM IC-R6 radio with TELESCOPIC DIPOLE antenna and the SINPO was 55444. “Hoping to hear from you again soon, I send a cordial greeting to your entire editorial team”, wrote Mr. Gasparri.
A: Thank you very much Mr. Gasparri for tuning in to our VOV broadcast. We hope to hear from you again soon.
B: Juan Diaz of Spain shared his interest in the development of Vietnam-Mexico bilateral ties, saying Mexico along with Colombia, Venezuela and Cuba have strong relationships and friendships with Vietnam.
A: Another Spanish listener José Ignacio Cos Lezam praised our coverage of activities celebrating International Children’s Day (June 1), especially for children in unfortunate circumstances.
B: Johnny Ramirez Lopez of Peru wrote that he is very interested in the VOV story about the great effort and dedication of Vietnamese peacekeepers who make great contributions to promoting world peace.
A: This week, we received multiple letters from Fumito Hokamura of Japan, one of our regular listeners. Mr Hokamura reported listening to our programs on the frequency of 9840 khz from 13:30 UTC to 13:57 UTC.
B: Dear listeners, we highly appreciate your regular feedback and dedication to VOV broadcasts. We hope to continue to receive feedback from you.
A: In an email to VOVWorld this week, Lianan Safitri of Laos asked about traditional houses of Vietnamese people.
B: Vietnam has 54 ethnic groups, each of them with their own type of traditional house depending on the local terrain as well as their culture, tradition and lifestyle.
A: In this program, we’d like to introduce to you the Guol house of the Co Tu which features the group’s unique architecture and culture. It’s a sacred and intimate symbol in the material and cultural life of the Co Tu, who live mainly in Thua Thien Hue and Quang Nam Provinces in the Truong Son range.
 Guol house of Por’ning hamlet, Lang commune, Tay Giang district, Quang Nam province (photo: Ngoc Anh) |
B: “Guol” in the Co Tu language means “community”. When they settle in a new place, the first thing the Co Tu do is choose a location to build the Guol house, a symbol of strength and prosperity.
A: Briu Po, the patriarch of Por’ning Hamlet in Quang Nam Province, said: “Every hamlet has a Guol house. The size of the house and engravings on it show the strength of the hamlet. The house entrance looks to all directions as far as the eye can see.”
B: In a Guol house, the more sculptures of objects and animals, the better, said Briu Po. “We carve whatever we want, but must have the following animals. First is the head of a buffalo because a buffalo is the most sacred 4-legged animal in Co Tu culture. There must be two roosters, representing 2-legged animals. A representative for the animal without legs is the python. The Co Tu believe that the python is a very strong and gentle animal. It also has an educational meaning for the villagers. There are also several masks, which are used to ward off demons. The uglier the masks, the more frightening the devils are.”
 The Co Tu traditional village in Tay Giang district, Quang Nam province (photo: Ngoc Anh) |
A: As community tourism develops, the Guol House is becoming a tourist site where visitors can stay to learn more about the Co Tu’s life and culture.
B: The Guol is also a community center for holding traditional festivals, new rice ceremonies, and the twinning swearing-in ceremony.
Bhling Phát, head of Pơr’ning Hamlet, said: “The villagers gather at the Guol house to attend festivals or discuss community issues. Looking down from above, the Guol house looks like a tortoise shell. The roof is made of rattan, palm, and nipa leaves. The structure is mainly made of wood. The sculptures of animals are to teach the next generation about wildlife and protecting nature.”
A: The Co Tu believe that Guol is a sacred place, the residence of gods and ancestors. When coming to Guol, people must not fight or quarrel. They must show unity and love, and be helpful to each other.
B: Living in the central highlands of Vietnam, the Co Tu boasts rich traditions and customs in addition to its traditional Guol House. In our weekly features like Colorful Vietnam- 54 ethnic groups, Discovery Vietnam, or the Sunday Show, we often bring you stories about beautiful landscapes, traditions and customs of Vietnam. So, to explore more about Vietnam, you can listen to our programs on SW, the VOV Media app and VOV5 English Service on Spotify or check out those stories on our website at vovworld.vn.
A: This week, Thach Sambo of Cambodia told VOVWORLD that he would like to learn more about sport tourism destinations in Vietnam.
B: Well, more and more sports lovers are choosing to participate in sports events in Vietnam while experiencing the nation’s natural beauty.
A: Vietnam has been nominated for the “Asia’s Best Golf Destination 2024” award and the “World’s Best Golf Destination 2024” award, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT).
B: It has been chosen as the host venue for many international professional golf tournaments, including “Vinpearl DIC Legends Vietnam 2023”.
 The BRG Danang Golf Club’s Nicklaus Course (Photo: nhandan.vn) |
A: Vietnam has been honored as Asia’s Best Golf Destination seven times and the World’s Best Golf Destination two times by the World Golf Awards (WGA), two of the most prestigious awards in the golf tourism industry.
B: World Golf Awards, the leading authority that recognizes and rewards excellence in golf tourism, has also named Hanoi the “World’s Best Golf City Destination 2023” at its 10th annual Gala Ceremony held in Abu Dhabi.
B: GOLF Magazine of the United States has listed four Vietnamese representatives among the 11 best golf resorts throughout Asia during the 2024 to 2025 period.
A: First on the list was Ba Na Hills of Da Nang. It is a 30minute drive away from the coastal city of Da Nang where golf has boomed in recent years.
A: The US magazine also highlighted the Bluffs Grand Ho Tram Strip in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province. The course, designed by legendary golfer Greg Norman, is the first golf resort in the country to feature a casino, a short shuttle-ride away on a busy beach-side location.
B: FLC Ha Long Bay GC & Luxury Resort in Ha Long City was also recommended in the Asian 2024 to 2025 list. Winding through verdant, pine-studded terrain, the course features an innovative route that features views of the water from all 18 holes.
 Laguna Golf Lang Co in Thua Thien-Hue Province |
A: The last representative is Laguna Golf Lang Co in Thua Thien-Hue Province. Completed in 2013, it is the center piece of a sprawling resort complex in Central Vietnam, neatly situated between steep mountains and white sandy beaches. It’s defined by rolling sand dunes, natural streams, and warm breezes along the East Sea.
B: In letters, emails and phone calls we received last week, our listeners raised many other questions that we will have the answers for in our coming programs. So keep tuning in to VOV. Once again, we thank all of you for listening me writing to us. Goodbye!