Inside the Museum of Ethnology (photo: Facebook Vietnam Museum of Ethnology)

B: Najimuddin, a member of the International DX Radio Listeners Club of India, told us that he tuned in to our program on 7220 kHz on March 8, using a Grundig YB 80 receiver. He rated SINPO 44343. Najimuddin said he enjoys VOV’s program every day as his favorite source of reliable information.

A:  Richard Lemke of Canada listens to VOV’s program every day and sends us feedback on a weekly basis. He told us that it’s been a great week listening to VOV’s program on 11885 kHz in Alberta, Canada. He was particularly interested in our story about the Vietnamese transportation sector accelerating the construction of national expressways, highways, and coastal construction.

B: Another report that caught his attention was about Bao Lac district, located between Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark and Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark in Ha Giang province, and its potential to become a popular tourist destination, boasting both majestic mountain landscapes and a colorful ethnic minority culture.

A: Thank you, Richard, for listening to VOV’s English program every day and sending us regular feedbacks. We’ll send you QSL cards to confirm your reception reports.

B: Our “Colorful Vietnam, Vietnam’s 54 Ethnic groups” story about a Cao Phong boarding school for ethnic children in Hoa Binh province received high praise from our listeners.

A: Stories about the culture and life of ethnic groups in Vietnam are always popular with listeners. If you have a chance to visit Vietnam, but won’t have the time to travel to scattered, remote tribal communities, you can visit the Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi to get an overview of all 54 of Vietnam’s ethnic groups.

B: Phankham of Huaphan, Laos, asked to hear more about the Museum of Ethnology.

A: It’s a fabulous collection of information and artifacts related to Vietnam's 54 ethnic minorities. There are well-presented craft products, tools, and household items gathered from across Vietnam, as well as recreations of traditional ethnic houses. The displays are captioned in Vietnamese, French, and English.

B: There are indoor exhibits and an outdoor area containing the traditional houses of several ethnic groups. The Bronze Drum building has a total exhibition area of 2,000 square metres. It displays 15,000 items and has 42,000 video clips and photos depicting the daily activities, costumes, farm tools, religions, beliefs, and customs of Vietnam’s ethnic communities.

A: Next to the Bronze Drum building is the Kite building, which features Indonesian Glass Painting and other examples of Southeast Asian cultures. This venue is popular with tourists from many countries who are proud to see evidence of their culture in Vietnam.

B: The outdoor exhibition area contains 10 traditional houses, including a typical Cham house, and examples the Bana’s Rong communal house, the Ede’s long stilt house, a tomb house of the Giarai and Cotu, the Tay’s stilt house, a half-floor and half-ground house of the Dao, and the earthen-wall house of the Ha Nhi.

A: Visitors can enter the houses, explore their interior, and learn about the cultural practices, beliefs, and customs of each group. There is an adjoining area that recreates a typical Vietnamese village with a village gate, a stone path, a communal house, and a water puppet theater.

B: Art performances and re-enactments of ethnic rituals and ceremonies are presented on alternate weekends and on special occasions. Last month the Museum staged a program called "Happy Spring of the Dragon Year: Cultural Nuances of Hoi An" that introduced the traditional Tet practices and other cultural heritages of Hoi An.      

A: Visitors got to hear Quang folk sings and Sac Bua singing and play some folk games.

Tong Quoc Hung, the head of Hoi An's Culture and Information Department, said: “Hoi An introduced folk songs and traditional crafts that have been honored by UNESCO, who made Hoi An a member of the Global Creative City Network. We also introduced traditional dishes of Hoi An and Quang people, including Cao Lau, Quang noodles, and rose cakes. Hoi An has many craft villages, and this time we introduced bamboo sculpture and products of Kim Bong carpentry village and Thanh Ha pottery village.”

Hoi An ancient town, where artisans make pottery, wooden and bamboo items, and lanterns, was recreated at the event.

Visitor Do Phuong Uyen said: “I liked this program very much. I’m making a clay dish. This is my first experience.”

B: The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is definitely worth a visit. If you check the museum’s schedule before coming, you might find an opportunity to experience the cultural activities of other localities without leaving Hanoi.

A: Now let’s hear some reception reports from other listeners. Ashik Eqbal Tokon of Bangladesh said our recent Saturday Report on an electrifying performance of "Carmen" provided an enchanting glimpse into the world of opera and the cultural vibrancy of Hanoi's arts scene. He said it was fascinating to learn about the creative vision behind the opera's adaptation and the effort it took to bring this beloved classic to life on a Vietnamese stage.

B: Mr. Tokon said, “Thank you for your coverage of this mesmerizing event. I eagerly await future broadcasts and look forward to embarking on many more cultural journeys with Voice of Vietnam.

A: Shivendu Paul, President of the Metali Listeners’Club in India, has listened to VOV’s English program several times in March on the frequency of 7220 kHz from 16h00 to 16h30 UTC. He rated SINPO 43333.

 B: Mr. Paul told us about India’s Holi Festival, also known as the Festival of Colors, next Monday and Tuesday. Holi, the Spring Festival of India, marks the arrival of spring, the season of hope and joy. The entire country takes on a festive look when Holi arrives. People swarm the streets, exchanging happy banter, and throw colored water and powders at each other.

A: Songs, dancing to the rhythm of dholak, and eating mouthwatering Holi delicacies are other highlights of the Holi Festival. Lovers use the occasion to smear their beloved with bright colors to express their love. After a colourful and exciting day, the evening is spent more calmly. People get together with friends and relatives and exchange warm greetings.

B: Shivendu told us: “People in India believe that the joyful spirit of Holi encourages feelings of brotherhood and even enemies become friends on this day.”

A: Thank you, Shivendu, for telling us about the Holi Festival. Many Vietnamese community festivals share a similar spirit of friendship and the triumph of good over evil. May you have a bright and colorful Holi!

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.

B: Check out our VOV Media App, available on both the IOS and Android platform, 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!