A project on radio drama production was signed in Hanoi on January 24 between the Danish embassy, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Radio the Voice of Vietnam (VOV).

Under the project, VOV will broadcast nationwide a 104-episode radio drama in the next three years using the Sabido methodology for radio drama production. Programmes produced in accordance with this methodology do not offer ready messages to the audience. Instead, the characters of these soap operas become role models for their listeners, role models whose experiences and life-choices relate to those of the audience. The messages are in the consequences of their behaviour.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, VOV General Director Vu Van Hien said the drama will be translated into Khmer, H’Mong and Thai languages for ethnic minority groups living in the border areas.

Danish Ambassador to Vietnam Peter Hansen highly valued this idea. The ambassador said that this is the second Danish-funded project on reproductive health for young people. Earlier, Denmark helped VOV produced the “Window of Love” radio programmes, which received high acclaim from the audience.

Ian Howie, UNFPA representative in Vietnam, said, “Vietnam’s young people are relatively well-versed on contraception and HIV. But young women are still at high risk of unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Due to prevailing gender inequalities, women with HIV/AIDS face more stigma and discrimination than their male counterparts. Lack of awareness and inappropriate understanding of the disease are main contribution factors to this.”