Voice of Vietnam's mediumwave developments

 

Voice Of Vietnam continues the development of medium waves to increase coverage of the country, neighboring countries and maritime and island areas.

Two new transmitters went into service on January 15. These two transmitters broadcast VOV1 on 693kHz and VOV2 on 819kHz.

Transmitters are GatesAir Flexiva AM/DRM compatible semiconductors. With 2 x 200 kW, listeners from the central high plateau and surrounding regions as well as overseas Vietnamese from northeast Cambodia can easily listen to the Voice of Vietnam radio programs.

A little over a year ago, VOV had put into operation, a broadcasting station from the South Central Region, for the East Sea region and the South Central coastal provinces. The radio station is located on an area of 16 hectares, in Phuoc Dinh commune, Thuan Nam district, Ninh Thuan province. The station has a power of 400 kw and broadcasts at 1071 kHz. The transmitter is a Nautel ready to convert to DRM digital radio. Like many countries in Asia, the conversion to DRM to medium-wave and VHF is now the order of the day more than ever.

Radio Magazine FB group (2023-06-29)

Voice of Vietnam unveils new logo

(VOVWORLD) - The Voice of Vietnam on Friday unveiled its new logo, representing a vision and strong desire to thrive as the media agency will celebrate its 75th founding anniversary on September 7

Letter “V” in the new logo is inspired by the wings of a mythical crane-like bird engraved on Vietnam’s ancient bronze drum, reflecting VOV’s strong optimism and aspirations. Meanwhile, letter “O” with a PLAY symbol at its heart represents VOV as a multimedia agency that has never ceased moving forward. The new logo uses two basic colors of blue and red, indicating prosperity and a bright future ahead.

"VOV’s new logo reveals VOV’s dream of becoming a prestigious multimedia agency not only in Vietnam but also around the world, from a strong revolutionary media with its rich history and traditions. VOV broadcasts programs in 13 Vietnamese ethnic languages and 13 foreign languages aimed at promoting Vietnam’s international integration and serving national construction and defense," VOV Deputy President Pham Manh Hung told a press briefing at VOV’s headquarter in Hanoi on Friday.

On this occasion, VOV also debuted its app VOVlive at the address: https://vovlive.vn.

VOV programs are now available in all platforms: Web, Wap, Mobile App, and Social Media. 

Voice of Vietnam wishes listener's Happy New Year

Special thanks to Larry Zamora, for sharing his Voice of Vietnam QSL card. He received it along with the station's Happy New Years greetings.

Your scanned QSLs are always welcome .... send to the above email address, with you QSL details, and yours can be a part of Shortwave Central.

Frequency Updates

All times UTC

Clandestine
Additional broadcasts of Living Water Ministry Broadcasting
1500-1600 on  9650*unknown probably PUG to NEAs Korean Tue/Wed/Thu, ex Wed# * co-ch same  9650 CON 050 kW / non-dir to WeAf French Radio Guinea Conakry # probably from Jan. 3 and from same date at new time 1500-1558, ex 1530-1630.

Ecuador
Updated schedule of HCJB Voice of The Andes on 6050 kHz 
0930-1400 on  6050 QUI 010 kW / 018 deg to CeAm various*, ex 0830-1500
0930-1400 on  6050 QUI 010 kW / 172 deg to SoAm various*, ex 0830-1500
2100-0230 on  6050 QUI 010 kW / 018 deg to CeAm various*, ex 1900-0500
2100-0230 on  6050 QUI 010 kW / 172 deg to SoAm various*, ex 1900-0500
* including Cofan/Chapala/Spanish/Shuar/Quechua/Waodani & other langs.

Vietnam    
Updated schedule of Voice of Vietnam 
Effective from: 15 January 
2000-2028 on  7280 SON 100 kW / 320 deg to WeEu German, not Russian
2000-2028 on  9730 SON 100 kW / 320 deg to WeEu German, not Russian
2030-2058 on  7280 SON 100 kW / 320 deg to WeEu French, not English
2030-2058 on  9730 SON 100 kW / 320 deg to WeEu French, not English
2130-2158 on  7280 SON 100 kW / 320 deg to WeEu English, additional
2130-2158 on  9730 SON 100 kW / 320 deg to WeEu English, additional

Zambia    
Updated schedule of KVOH /Voice of Hope Africa 
Effective from: 23 January 
1700-2200 on  4965 LUS 100 kW / 000 deg to SoAf English Mon-Fri tx#1, new additional
1700-2200 on  6065 LUS 100 kW / 315 deg to WeAf English Mon-Fri tx#2, new additional
1200-1700 on  9680 LUS 100 kW / 000 deg to SoAf English Sat/Sun tx#1, unchanged
1200-1700 on 13680 LUS 100 kW / 315 deg to WeAf English Sat/Sun tx#2, unchanged
0500-0800 on  9680 LUS 100 kW / 000 deg to SoAf English Mon-Fri tx#1, cancelled
0500-0800 on 11680 LUS 100 kW / 315 deg to WeAf English Mon-Fri tx#2, cancelled
(SWL DXing/DX News/Ivo Ivanov)
(graphics: Gayle Van Horn Collection) 

The legend of Voice of Vietnam's "Hanoi Hannah" passes

Death of “Hanoi Hannah”
Voice of Vietnam , 1 October: Trinh Thi Ngo, a legendary announcer of Radio the Voice of Vietnam (VOV), died in Ho Chi Minh City, at 5.51 am on 30 September at the age of 87. The former announcer of VOV's English service, whose alias was Hanoi Hannah, was awarded emeritus artist title and a medal for her contributions to the development of radio. Her burial service will be held in Long Tri commune, Chau Thanh district, Long An province on 2 October. (VOV World via WRTH Facebook group, via Mike Terry)
(BDXC-Oct)

During the Vietnam War, she became famous among US soldiers for her propaganda broadcasts on Radio Hanoi. (There were actually several "Hanoi Hannahs", but she was the senior and most frequently heard one.) She made three broadcasts a day, reading a list of the newly killed or imprisoned Americans, attempting to persuade US GIs that the US involvement in the Vietnam War was unjust and immoral, and playing popular US anti-war songs in an attempt to incite feelings of nostalgia and homesickness. Though she used the alias Thu Huong, (Vietnamese: "the fragrance of autumn"), the GIs usually called her "Hanoi Hannah" or "the Dragon Lady". Few if any desertions are thought to have happened because of her propaganda work and the soldiers "hooted at her scare tactics", but they were sometimes impressed when she mentioned the correct location of their unit (when they would "give a toast to her and throw our beer cans at the radio") and named US casualties. There were exaggerated legends of her omniscience, with rumors that she would give clues about everything from specific future North Vietnamese attacks to soldiers' girlfriends cheating on them at home. In reality, most of her information came from publications such as the US military newspaper, Stars and Stripes.

Here is an excerpt from one of her broadcasts:
How are you, GI Joe? It seems to me that most of you are poorly informed about the going of the war, to say nothing about a correct explanation of your presence over here. Nothing is more confused than to be ordered into a war to die or to be maimed for life without the faintest idea of what's going on.
A January 1966 Newspaper Enterprise Association article by Tom Tiede described the program:
Hannah's shows are invariably the same. After the news is an editorial denouncing U.S. escalation of the war. Then a recording by an Asian soprano who sounds as if she's having her ears pierced. Then, Mailbag Time ('write us for the truth, friends').
According to war correspondent Don North:
By zapping the truth through an ostrich-like policy censorship, deletions, and exaggerations U.S. Armed Forces Radio lost the trust of many GIs when they were most isolated and vulnerable to enemy propaganda. It wasn't that Hanoi Hannah always told the truth - she didn't. But she was most effective when she did tell the truth and US Armed Forces Radio was fudging it.
After the war, she moved to Saigon with her husband. Ngo was better known in the US than in her own country. She was offered a job on HCMC Television, but she chose to stay at home and take care of her husband, who had suffered a stroke. She remained in Ho Chi Minh City until her death.

Voice of Vietnam English Summer Schedule Update

Voice of Vietnam (via JSWC)

Effective from: 01 September 2016
30 minute programs
Areas of coverage Hanoi Airtime/UTC
Western Europe 1:00 18:00 5955
Europe, Central Asia 2:00 19:00 7280 , 9730
Europe, Central Asia 4:30 21:30 7280 , 9730
UK, Central Europe 23:00 16:00 7280 , 9730
Africa, Middle East 3:30 20:30 7220 , 9550
Indonesia 6:30 23:30 9840 , 12020 ,
Eastern America 8:00 1:00 6175
Eastern America 9:30 2:30 6175
Central America -Caribbean 9:30 2:30 7315
Central America -Caribbean 7:00 0:00 7315
Hanoi 17:00 10:00 105.5
Indonesia  17:00 10:00 9840 , 12020
Laos, Thailand, Cambodia  18:00 11:00 7285
Japan, Guangzhou 18:30  9840 , 12020
Indonesia 19:30 12:30 9840 , 12020
Japan, Guangzhou 20:30  9840 , 12020
Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia  22:00 15:00 9840 , 12020 , 7285
Europe, Central Asia 23:00 16:00 7280 , 9730
Africa, Middle East 23:00 16:00 7220 , 9550
Hanoi 23:00 16:00 105.5
 
Our website: http://vovworld.vn/
Our email address:
 englishsection@vov.org.vn
Our phone number:
(+84) 439342456
Listen to VOV’s English program 24/7 (LIVE) at:
 http://vovworld.vn/RadioPlayer.aspx?c=channel247
(VOV)

Voice of Vietnam English Summer Schedule Update

Voice of Vietnam - Spring in Ha Giang

All times UTC
Voice of Vietnam
30 minute program – From August, 2016

Areas of coverage Hanoi Airtime UTC Airtime Frequencies

Western Europe 0:00 17:00 9625
Europe, Central Asia 2:00 19:00 7280  9730
Europe, Central Asia 4:30 21:30 7280  9730
Europe, Central Asia 3:30 20:30 7280  9730
Africa, Middle East 3:30 20:30 7220   9550
Indonesia 6:30 23:30 9840 12020 
Eastern America 7:00 0:00 6175
Eastern America 8:00 1:00 6175
Central America -Caribbean 10:30 3:30 6175
Hanoi 17:00 10:00 105.5
Indonesia  17:00 10:00 9840 12020
Laos, Thailand, Cambodia  18:00 11:00 7285
Japan, Guangzhou 18:30  9840 12020
Indonesia 19:30 12:30 9840 12020
Japan, Guangzhou 20:30  9840 12020
Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia  22:00 15:00 9840 12020 7285
Europe, Central Asia 23:00 16:00 7280 9730
Africa, Middle East 23:00 16:00 7220   9550
Hanoi 23:00 16:00 105.5
(VOV 10 Aug 2016)

Voice of Vietnam monitoring observations

VO Vietnam (Gayle Van Horn Collection)

Voice of Vietnam-1. The recently reported spurs of 5975 kHz on both 5967.0 and 5983.0 kHz, are completely gone on May 25. For almost a week, they were as strong as a primary frequency. Now I can hear Myanmar without a hetrodyne on 5985 kHz and none noted while checking for the return of Radio Klasik (Malaysia) on 5965 kHz.

9635.98 and 9635.73. Seems that VOV-1 now has two frequencies to use. {9635.975 footprint May 28 1222 UTC heard in Brisbane-AUS remote unit, S=9+20dB or -49dBm, selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz, wb.]
(Ron Howard-CA-USA, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 27)

9839.840 VoVietnam Son Tay. Indonesian service logged on poor S=7 signal level at 2300-2330 UTC slot.

9635.787 Probably Voice of Vietnam's Vietnamese home service, registered 2145-1600 UTC, noted at 23.12 UTC, S=8-9 signal, but at fade-out time from South Asia.
(wb, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 30)
(BCDX/Top News 1210)

Voice of Vietnam - summer schedule update

Voice of Vietnam

Transmitters via Austria, U.K., USA and Vietnam

All times UTC

0000-0058  7285 MET 050 kW 216 deg to SoEaAS Vietnamese
0100-0128 12005 WOF 250 kW 282 deg to NoAM English
0130-0228 12005 WOF 250 kW 282 deg to NoAM Vietnamese
0230-0258 12005 WOF 250 kW 282 deg to NoAM English
0300-0328  6175 HRI 250 kW 173 deg to CeAM Spanish
0330-0358  6175 HRI 250 kW 173 deg to CeAM English
0400-0428  6175 HRI 250 kW 173 deg to CeAM Spanish
0430-0528  6175 HRI 100 kW 315 deg to NoWeAM Vietnamese
1000-1028  9840 SON 100 kW 177 deg to SoEaAS English
1000-1028 12020 SON 100 kW 177 deg to SoEaAS English
1030-1058  7285 MET 050 kW 216 deg to SoEaAS Khmer
1030-1058  9840 SON 100 kW 177 deg to SoEaAS Indonesian
1030-1058 12020 SON 100 kW 177 deg to SoEaAS Indonesian
1100-1128  7220 SON 100 kW 027 deg to FERu Chinese
1100-1128  7285 MET 050 kW 216 deg to SoEaAS English
1100-1128  9840 SON 100 kW 057 deg to EaAS Japanese
1100-1128 12000 SON 100 kW 027 deg to FERu Chinese
1100-1128 12020 SON 100 kW 057 deg to EaAS Japanese
1130-1158  7220 SON 100 kW 027 deg to FERu Russian
1130-1158  7285 MET 050 kW 216 deg to SoEaAS Thai
1130-1158  9840 SON 100 kW 057 deg to EaAS English
1130-1158 12000 SON 100 kW 027 deg to FERu Russian
1130-1158 12020 SON 100 kW 057 deg to EaAS English
1200-1228  7220 SON 100 kW 027 deg to FERu Chinese
1200-1228  7285 MET 050 kW 216 deg to SoEaAS French
1200-1228  9840 SON 100 kW 057 deg to EaAS Japanese
1200-1228 12000 SON 100 kW 027 deg to FERu Chinese
1200-1228 12020 SON 100 kW 057 deg to EaAS Japanese
1230-1258  7220 SON 100 kW 027 deg to FERu Russian
1230-1258  7285 MET 050 kW 216 deg to SoEaAS Khmer
1230-1258  9840 SON 100 kW 177 deg to SoEaAS English
1230-1258 12000 SON 100 kW 027 deg to FERu Russian
1230-1258 12020 SON 100 kW 177 deg to SoEaAS English
1300-1328  7220 SON 100 kW 027 deg to FERu Chinese
1300-1328  7285 MET 050 kW 216 deg to SoEaAS French
1300-1328  9840 SON 100 kW 177 deg to SoEaAS Indonesian
1300-1328 12000 SON 100 kW 027 deg to FERu Chinese
1300-1328 12020 SON 100 kW 177 deg to SoEaAS Indonesian
1330-1428  7285 MET 050 kW 216 deg to SoEaAS Lao
1330-1358  9840 SON 100 kW 057 deg to EaAS English
1330-1358 12020 SON 100 kW 057 deg to EaAS English
1400-1428  9840 SON 100 kW 057 deg to EaAS Japanese
1400-1428 12020 SON 100 kW 057 deg to EaAS Japanese
1430-1458  7285 MET 050 kW 216 deg to SoEaAS Thai
1430-1458  9840 SON 100 kW 177 deg to SoEaAS Indonesian
1430-1458 12020 SON 100 kW 177 deg to SoEaAS Indonesian
1500-1528  7285 MET 050 kW 216 deg to SoEaAS English
1500-1528  9840 SON 100 kW 177 deg to SoEaAS English
1500-1528 12020 SON 100 kW 177 deg to SoEaAS English
1500-1558  7220 SON 100 kW 290 deg to NE/ME Vietnamese
1500-1558  9550 SON 100 kW 290 deg to NoAF Vietnamese
1530-1558  7285 MET 050 kW 216 deg to SoEaAS Thai
1600-1628  7220 SON 100 kW 290 deg to NE/ME English
1600-1628  7280 SON 100 kW 320 deg to EaEUR English
1600-1628  9550 SON 100 kW 290 deg to NoAF English
1600-1628  9730 SON 100 kW 320 deg to WeEUR English
1630-1658  7220 SON 100 kW 290 deg to NE/ME French
1630-1658  7280 SON 100 kW 320 deg to EaEUR Russian
1630-1658  9550 SON 100 kW 290 deg to NoAF French
1630-1658  9730 SON 100 kW 320 deg to WeEUR Russian
1700-1728  9625 MOS 100 kW 300 deg to WeEUR English
1700-1758  7280 SON 100 kW 320 deg to EaEUR Vietnamese
1700-1758  9730 SON 100 kW 320 deg to WeEUR Vietnamese
1730-1828  9625 MOS 100 kW 300 deg to WeEUR Vietnamese
1800-1828  7280 SON 100 kW 320 deg to EaEUR German
1800-1828  9730 SON 100 kW 320 deg to WeEUR German
1830-1858  7280 SON 100 kW 320 deg to EaEUR French
1830-1858  9625 MOS 100 kW 300 deg to WeEUR French
1830-1858  9730 SON 100 kW 320 deg to WeEUR French
1900-1928  9890 WOF 250 kW 075 deg to EaEUR Russian
1900-1928  7280 SON 100 kW 320 deg to EaEUR English
1900-1928  9730 SON 100 kW 320 deg to WeEUR English
1930-1958  7280 SON 100 kW 320 deg to EaEUR French
1930-1958  9430 WOF 250 kW 182 deg to WeEUR German
1930-1958  9730 SON 100 kW 320 deg to WeEUR French
2000-2028  7280 SON 100 kW 320 deg to EaEUR Russian
2000-2028  9430 WOF 250 kW 182 deg to WeEUR German
2000-2028  9730 SON 100 kW 320 deg to WeEUR Russian
2030-2058  7220 SON 100 kW 290 deg to NE/ME English
2030-2058  7280 SON 100 kW 320 deg to WeEUR English
2030-2058  9550 SON 100 kW 290 deg to NoAF English
2030-2058  9730 SON 100 kW 320 deg to WeEUR English
2100-2128  7220 SON 100 kW 290 deg to NE/ME French
2100-2128  7280 SON 100 kW 320 deg to WeEUR French
2100-2128  9550 SON 100 kW 290 deg to NoAF French
2100-2128  9730 SON 100 kW 320 deg to WeEUR French
2030-2128 11840 WOF 250 kW 114 deg to SEEUR Vietnamese
2200-2228  7220 SON 100 kW 027 deg to FERu Chinese
2200-2228  7285 MET 050 kW 216 deg to SoEaAS Thai
2200-2228 12000 SON 100 kW 027 deg to FERu Chinese
2200-2228  9840 SON 100 kW 057 deg to EaAS Japanese
2200-2228 12020 SON 100 kW 057 deg to EaAS Japanese
2230-2258  7285 MET 050 kW 216 deg to SoEaAS Khmer
2230-2258  9840 SON 100 kW 057 deg to EaAS Chinese
2230-2258 12020 SON 100 kW 057 deg to EaAS Chinese
2300-2328  9840 SON 100 kW 177 deg to SoEaAS Indonesian
2300-2328 12020 SON 100 kW 177 deg to SoEaAS Indonesian
2300-2358  7285 MET 050 kW 216 deg to SoEaAS Lao
2330-2358  9840 SON 100 kW 177 deg to SoEaAS English
2330-2358 12020 SON 100 kW 177 deg to SoEaAS English
(DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov-BUL, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Aug 27)
(WWDXC/Top Nx 1129)

Voice of Vietnam winter schedule update

Voice of Vietnam

relays via Babcock

All times UTC

0100-0128 on  9640 WOF 250 kW / 294 deg to NEAm English
0130-0228 on  9640 WOF 250 kW / 308 deg to NEAm Vietnamese
0230-0258 on  9640 WOF 250 kW / 308 deg to NEAm English
0300-0328 on  6175 HRI 250 kW / 173 deg to CeAm Spanish
0330-0358 on  9640 WOF 250 kW / 294 deg to NEAm English
0400-0428 on  6175 HRI 250 kW / 173 deg to CeAm Spanish
0430-0528 NF  6175 HRI 100 kW / 315 deg to NWAm Vietnamese, ex 7345 WOF
1800-1828 on  5955 MOS 100 kW / 300 deg to WeEu English
1830-1928 on  5955 MOS 100 kW / 300 deg to WeEu Vietnamese
1930-1958 on  5955 MOS 100 kW / 300 deg to WeEu French
2000-2028 on  6135 WOF 250 kW / 075 deg to NEEu Russian
2030-2058 on  6175 DHA 250 kW / 315 deg to WeEu German
2100-2128 on  6175 DHA 250 kW / 315 deg to WeEu German
2130-2228 on  7370 WOF 250 kW / 114 deg to SEEu Vietnamese
(DX Re Mix 764/21 Jan 2013)

Voice of Vietnam summer schedule update

Via BABCOCK Relays

All times UTC

Voice of Vietnam
0100-0128 on 6175 SAC 250 kW / 212 deg to CeAm English
0130-0228 on 6175 SAC 250 kW / 212 deg to CeAm Vietnamese
0230-0328 on 6175 SAC 250 kW / 212 deg to CeAm English/Spanish
0330-0428 on 6175 SAC 250 kW / 212 deg to CeAm English/Spanish
0430-0528 on 6175 SAC 250 kW / 240 deg to NoAm Vietnamese
1700-1728 on 9625 MOS 100 kW / 300 deg to WeEu English
1730-1828 on 9625 MOS 100 kW / 300 deg to WeEu Vietnamese
1830-1858 on 9625 MOS 100 kW / 300 deg to WeEu French
1900-1928 on 9895 SKN 300 kW / 070 deg to EaEu Russian
1930-2028 on 9430 SKN 300 kW / 090 deg to WeEu German
2030-2128 on 11840 SKN 300 kW / 110 deg to SEEu Vietnamese
(DX Mix News 691 via Ivo Ivanov, Bulgaria & Wolfgang Bueschel, Germany)

Voice of Vietnam launches new broadcasting project

Radio the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) officially launched its East Sea broadcasting project August 29, at the VN1 transmitter station in Hanoi’s Son Tay town. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung pressed the button to start the transmitter.
Now that the project has been put into operation, fishermen and soldiers operating offshore or living on islands will have a channel providing accurate, timely, trustworthy and round-the-clock information on domestic and foreign affairs, economics, cultural, and social events, and especially forecasts about extreme weather, search and rescue work at sea to minimise loss of life and property caused by natural disasters.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung praised the VOV’s effort in putting the first phase of the project into operation while the country is celebrating the 64th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day and the 40th anniversary of implementing President Ho Chi Minh’s testament.
To better implement the project, PM Dung urged the VOV to make full use of infrastructure, machinery and staff to improve the quality of broadcasts on the East Sea. He emphasised the importance of the project to maritime economic activities, natural disaster prevention and rescue efforts.
PM Dung asked the VOV to work closely with relevant ministries and departments, such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of National Defence to receive and transmit information about fishing grounds, weather, and rescue work. He urged the VOV to make a greater effort to become “a trusted and loyal friend” of fishermen and soldiers operating offshore or living on islands to protect the country.
PM Dung agreed that the Government will continue to finance the second phase of the project to provide high-quality news updates for Quang Ninh, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Kien Giang and central coastal provinces throughout the day, especially at night. He authorised the VOV to research and implement sub-projects to improve the quality of East Sea broadcasts.
On behalf of the VOV deputy general director Dao Duy Hua briefed attendees on the project’s implementation process. The first phase of the project has been completed in 8 months with coverage reaching out 3,500km from the coast, including all Vietnamese territorial waters and most offshore fishing areas.
(Source: Voice of Vietnam)

Andy Sennitt adds: No frequency information is given in the report, but with coverage up to 3,500 km from the coast this surely has to be a shortwave service. Does anyone have the schedule?
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Voice of Vietnam launches H'Mong language service

The Voice of Vietnam (VOV) yesterday launchef a radio broadcast in the H’Mong ethnic minority language, Vietnam News Agency reported. The radio broadcast is being carried out by the Northern West correspondent centre of VOV, which also celebrated its 10th founding anniversary yesterday.
The H’Mong language broadcast is to provide folk music and news to more than 800,000 H’Mong ethnic people mostly living in mountainous regions of northern Vietnam, said Vu Van Hien, General Director of Voice of Vietnam. The Northern West correspondent centre of VOV now broadcasts in the three ethnic minority languages of Thai, Dao and H’Mong every day, thus providing news and music for most minority people living in the north-west of the country.
(Source: Vietnam News Agency/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)