What you need to know today in Vietnam:

Politics

-- The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed regret over the Paris Court of Appeal's ruling in Tran To Nga's lawsuit, reaffirming support for victims seeking accountability from Agent Orange manufacturers. "Vietnam regrets the court's decision," ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said during a press briefing in Hanoi on Thursday.

Earlier that day, the Paris Court of Appeal upheld a previous ruling granting legal immunity to U.S. chemical companies, stating they produced the toxic substances under orders from the U.S. government during wartime, thus lacking jurisdiction to hear the case.

Society

-- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has firmly denied false reports that British citizens could face exit bans or have their passports confiscated under certain circumstances when visiting the country. "We completely reject such misinformation," ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang asserted during a regular press briefing in Hanoi on Thursday.

-- The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Information and Communications is working with authorities to summon Miss Phuong Le after her mocking rendition of the national anthem sparked social media outrage, according to chief inspector Vo Thi Thu Suong.

-- Heavy rain in Hanoi and Thai Nguyen Province caused severe flooding, sweeping cars away for dozens of meters on Thursday.

-- On Thursday, by 3:10 pm, nine earthquakes, including one measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale, were reported in Kon Plong District, Kon Tum Province.

Sports

-- Hanoi Police FC began their 2024-2025 Southeast Asian Club Championship campaign with a 2-1 victory over Buriram United, three-time consecutive Thai league champions, at Hang Day Stadium in Hanoi on Thursday.

-- On Thursday, Rafaelson, the top scorer of the 2023-2024 V.League 1 from Nam Dinh FC, submitted an application for Vietnamese citizenship, expressing his desire to contribute to the national team.

Lifestyle

-- The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport has announced a full ban on vehicles on Nguyen Hue Street in District 1 on Thursday. This closure is to facilitate the 'Hanoi Days in Ho Chi Minh City' event, commemorating the 70th anniversary of Hanoi's liberation on October 10, 1954. 

World News

-- International media reports indicate that seven tourists are feared dead after a private plane crashed into a swamp in Thailand on Thursday.

-- "The Thai ruling party's flagship 500 billion baht ($14.5 billion) handout plan is needed to boost a sluggish economy, political heavyweight Thaksin Shinawatra said on Thursday, days after his daughter was elected prime minister by parliament," Reuters reported.

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