What you need to know today in Vietnam:

Politics

-- Following an official welcome ceremony on Thursday, Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong held talks with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Cuong expressed confidence that King Sihamoni's visit would serve as a catalyst for strengthening the robust cooperation between the two neighboring nations.

Society

-- Hanoi is bracing for a sharp drop in temperatures on Friday, as chilly weather settles over the capital. The northern provinces are also experiencing cold to frigid conditions. Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh City and the southern region are seeing cloudy skies and subdued sunshine.

-- Vietnam ranks fourth among 20 Asian countries in gambling activity, based on casino operations and the number of players, Dr. Can Van Luc, chief economist at state-run bank BIDV, said at a conference in Hanoi on Thursday. He added that the country faces a significant challenge due to the lack of a comprehensive legal framework to effectively regulate the industry and collect taxes.

-- Con Dao National Park on the eponymous island, off the coast of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province in southern Vietnam, has officially recognized 24 additional forest trees as 'Heritage Trees,' bringing the total number of heritage-designated trees in the area to 105.

Business

-- Poland's exports to Vietnam grew nearly 20 percent last year, underscoring the strengthening trade ties between the two nations, with the Southeast Asian country having emerged as Poland’s largest trading partner among ASEAN countries, according to figures released during a Vietnam-Poland trade conference in Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday.

Lifestyle

-- As the year draws to a close, visitors to Hoi An in Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam are treated to a unique perspective of the ancient town. Floodwaters from upstream have submerged half of the pedestrian streets in murky water, turning the historic quarter into a picturesque scene. For many, the experience of gazing at the waterlogged town has become an unexpected and thrilling highlight.

-- Crowds gathered on Thursday from across the region in the central area of Ward 6, Tan An City, Long An Province, a neighbor of Ho Chi Minh City, eagerly awaiting a spectacular display of 650 drones. The high-tech performance, set to light up the sky at 10:00 pm, marked the grand opening of the 'Khat Vong Song Vam' (Aspiration of the Vam River) festival.

World News

-- Australia made headlines on Thursday by approving a social media ban for children under 16, following a highly charged debate that captivated the nation, Reuters reported, adding that with this move, Australia has set a new standard for jurisdictions worldwide, implementing one of the strictest regulations aimed at Big Tech.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam!