Vietnamese baguette the best sandwich in the world: Taste Atlas

B: This week, VOVWorld received more than 500 letters, emails and phone calls from listeners in 36 countries and territories.

A: First, we’d like to acknowledge a letter from Peter Ng of Malaysia and his reception report on our New Lunar Year Program on February 10 at 23h30 UTC on the frequency of 9840 khz.

B: Joandric Ávila Fernández of Costa Rica wrote: “Dear Friends of the Voice of Vietnam. I’m already getting into the habit of following VOV broadcasts on shortwave. This time from a more open and interference-free area, I was able to tune in to VOV in three different languages with varying signal levels that were generally acceptable. I have great interest in Vietnam. I have read on your website the excellent relations that Vietnam has with countries like Russia and Cambodia. I would like to ask how the relations between Vietnam and Costa Rica are?”

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien met with Minister of Foreign Trade of Costa Rica, Manuel Tovar Rivera on February 28

A: Since Vietnam and Costa Rica established diplomatic ties in 1976, bilateral ties have grown steadily. Most recently, on the sidelines of the World Trade Organization’s 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) in Abu Dhabi last month, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien met with Minister of Foreign Trade of Costa Rica, Manuel Tovar Rivera. The two sides agreed to strengthen bilateral trade ties.

B: Minister Dien affirmed that Vietnam values cooperative relations with Costa Rica, proposing the two sides establish an information exchange channel and seek solutions to promote bilateral economic, trade and investment cooperation.

A: Minister Rivera said Costa Rica wishes to strengthen its relations with ASEAN countries in general and Vietnam in particular and wants Vietnam to help Costa Rica to become a member of CPTPP. Over the past 10 years, bilateral trade between the two countries has grown an average of 11.5% per year.

A: The two sides pledged to coordinate with relevant agencies to promote business connection activities and create conditions for businesses to participate in trade promotion events in order to boost bilateral ties.

B: Next is an email of Juan D. of Spain who discussed the Vietnam-Brazil Trade Forum and its importance to bilateral ties between the two countries and between Brazil and ASEAN.

A: Fumito Hokamura of Japan, one of VOVWorld’s regular listeners, sent us reception reports for programs on February 27 and March 5 on the frequency of 12020 khz and rated SINPO between 3 and 4.

B: Mr. Hokamura shared his interest in programs about Vietnamese culture and people and especially Vietnamese music.

A: To acknowledge his reception of our broadcasts, we’d like to dedicate him one of the most contemporary song in Vietnam these days. This is also our gift to all listeners of the Voice of Vietnam. Enjoy.

Located about 16km northwest of Bac Ha town, Ta Van Chu commune is dreamily beautiful with white plum blossoms in full bloom.

A: In a correspondence with VOV this week, Nick Packham wrote: “Dear friends at the Voice of Vietnam, it’s so nice to be able to listen to you again, I used to subscribe to a podcast here in the UK where I could hear your broadcasts. I’m now glad to have found your shows on the internet. I always enjoy listening to you. Are your shows available as a podcast or is it only through the website? Please keep up the great work and greetings to you all from Worthing, on the south coast of the United Kingdom.”

B: Thank you very much for your correspondence to VOV. FYI, our program is now available not only on the internet, but also on our mobile app at VOV Media. Our podcast channel is at “VOV5 English Service”. We hope to receive more feedback from you.

A: This week, we received multiple emails from Richard Lemke of Canada and his reception reports for our broadcast on the frequency of 11885 khz, saying the audio reception was perfect on March 4, 7, 9, and 10.

B: Thank you for your detailed reception report and we hope to continue to receive your feedback on our programs.

A: In an email to VOV this week, Dalavan of Laos asked about the “Hon Trong Mai” or “Kissing Rocks” in Ha Long Bay.

Ha Long Bay is named among world’s top 25 best natural destinations

B: Ha Long Bay in Vietnam’s northeastern province of Quang Ninh in the Gulf of Tonkin were twice recognized as World Natural Heritage by UNESCO in 1994 and 200. It has some 1,600 islands and islets featuring spectacular limestone pillars rising from the sea, the eroded notches, arches and caves creating a picturesque and beautiful landscape.

A: Because of their precipitous nature, most of the islands are uninhabited and unaffected by a human presence. The site’s outstanding scenic beauty is complemented by its great biological interest.

B: Condé Nast Traveler, a luxury and lifestyle travel magazine, has named Ha Long Bay on its list of the 51 most beautiful places in the world.

A: The magazine said the bay is beloved for its blue waters and spread of limestone islands, all occupied by tropical trees and wildlife. It suggested visitors board a sailing ship to experience the beauty and immerse themselves in the associated myths and stories of the mist-shrouded emerald basin.

B: The formation of Ha Long Bay spans over 500 million years and the limestone that is found in the bay began forming around 340 million years ago. Over time, the bay has gone through countless changes resulting in today’s magnificent natural landscape. Its core area, which has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage, is 434 square kilometers and comprises 775 limestone islands and islets.

A: Trong Mai Islet, resembles a rooster (trong) and a hen (mai). It’s also known as “Fighting Cock Islet” or by others as “Kissing Rocks” and is a famous location in Ha Long Bay. It’s about 5 kilometers from Tuan Chau International Port.

Hon Trong Mai (Kissing Rocks), a symbol of Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh province. (Photo: VNA)

B: According to a legend, Trong Mai Islet represents the faithful love between a poor fisherman and a fairy, who were turned into stone by the Jade Emperor for disobeying his orders. The islets have stood next each other for thousands of years despite the storms and waves that try to separate them.

A: This islet is a unique symbol of Halong Bay and Vietnamese tourism. It has inspired artists and poets to create beautiful works that capture the charm and romance of Ha Long Bay.

B: The two comprise 40 stone megaliths, with 11 on the rock of Trong (Cock) and 29 on Mai (Hen). They are now at high risk of collapse. Authorities are taking measures to minimize the chance of their collapse.

A: The best time to see Trong Mai Islet is at dawn when the sun rises and bathes the rocks in a golden light. Many tourists and photographers visit to witness and capture this breathtaking view. You can get there by taking a cruise or a kayak from Ha Long Bay.

B: Ha Long Bay is a must-see destination of any tour of Vietnam. We hope that you will have an opportunity to visit the Bay, Trong Mai Islet and enjoy a nice visit there.

A: Last but not least, we’d like to acknowledge correspondence from Budes Andrei of Romania who listened to our broadcast at 16:25 on March 9 on the frequency of 11885 khz and reported strong and clear signal without QRM but with moderate fading at SINPO of 44344.

B: We’d like to welcome to VOV Janne Petäjä of Finland, who told us that he listened to Voice of Vietnam broadcasting on 9840 khz on the 12th of January 2024 at 10.10 – 10.30 UTC and the reception was quite good, no particular source of interference, just a little wobble.

A: Thank you Budes Andrei and Janne Petäjä and other listeners around the world for your detailed reception reports, feedback on our broadcasts, and comment on our Facebook fanpage and podcast channel which we find very helpful and encouraging.

B: We welcome your feedback at: English Service, VOVWorld, the Voice of Vietnam, 45 Ba Trieu Street, Hanoi, Vietnam. Or you can email us at: englishsection@vov.vn. You’re also invited to visit us online at vovworld.vn, where you can hear both live and recorded programs.

A: And don’t forget to check out our VOV Media App and Spotify at VOV5 English Service , available on both the IOS and Android platforms, to hear our broadcasts. We look forward to your feedback on the mobile version of vovworld.vn. Once again, thank you all for listening. Goodbye!