What you need to know in Vietnam today:

Society

-- Ho Chi Minh City chairman Phan Van Mai has proposed transforming the area in front of Ben Thanh Market into a bustling public space akin to New York's Times Square. He tasked District 1 authorities with drafting plans to maximize the potential of this iconic location through various activities.

-- Vietnam plans to start building a North-South high-speed railway at a cost of US$67 billion in December 2027, Nguyen Danh Huy, Deputy Minister of Transport, said at a meeting on Thursday. 

-- The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee has approved a plan to charge fees for cars entering the city center, which will be implemented in tandem with public transport development and the construction and operation of seven metro lines.

Business

-- Electric vehicles are gaining attention in Vietnam as more consumers shift toward eco-friendly transportation, with RMIT University Vietnam forecasting the market could reach a value of $5-7 billion in the next five years.

-- Vietravel Corporation, a travel agency, has announced its plan to sell over 28.5 million shares at a minimum price of VND12,000 per share, aiming to raise approximately VND343.9 billion ($13.5 million) to pay its debts at four banks.

Lifestyle

-- After four years of dedicated efforts, UNESCO's Earth Sciences and Geohazards Risk Reduction Section on Thursday officially renewed the title of UNESCO Global Geopark for the Dak Nong volcanic cave system, presenting the recognition to the Dak Nong People's Committee.

-- The Department of Information and Communications of Binh Dinh Province in south-central Vietnam announced on Thursday that the province will hold a 2025 New Year's Eve Countdown program featuring various artistic performances and a spectacular audio-visual show on the evening of December 31.

Sports

-- Vietnam beat hosts Singapore 2-0 in the first leg of the 2024 ASEAN Championship, Southeast Asia's football tournament, on Thursday.

World News

-- Russian air defenses shot down an Azerbaijan Airlines plane that crashed in Kazakhstan, killing 38 people, Reuters cited four sources familiar with Azerbaijan's preliminary investigation findings as reporting on Thursday.

-- Two sailors have died in separate incidents during the treacherous Sydney to Hobart bluewater classic, while race favorite Comanche was forced to retire, AFP quoted organizers as saying on Friday.

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