What you need to know today in Vietnam:

Politics

-- New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday as part of his first official visit to Vietnam since taking office. His visit is scheduled to conclude on Fridday.

-- Myanmar authorities have detained several foreign nationals, including Vietnamese citizens, in a crackdown on online scams along the Thailand-Myanmar border, while Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the Ministry of Public Security and diplomatic missions in Thailand and Myanmar, is working to verify identities and provide necessary consular support.

Society

-- Vietnam will implement a visa exemption policy for citizens of Poland, Czechia, and Switzerland traveling to the country for tourism from March 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025. Visitors will be allowed a temporary stay of up to 45 days from the date of entry. 

-- On Thursday, Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Hoi Duc Phoc signed a document approving the transfer of state capital ownership at MobiFone Telecommunications Corporation from the Commission for the Management of State Capital at Enterprises to the Ministry of Public Security.

-- The Consulate General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday held a ceremony at the Nikko Hotel in District 1 to celebrate Emperor Naruhito's 65th birthday.

-- Ho Chi Minh City police said on Friday that they had arrested a man for beating a security guard to unconsciousness the day before after he reminded the man and his girlfriend not to walk their dog into Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street.

Business

-- In response to the proposal to reduce taxes for all small- and medium-sized enterprises, Vietnamese Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang on Thursday expressed agreement and stated that the matter would be reported to the government.

-- The Vietnam Software and IT Services Association on Thursday announced the TOP 10 program and introduced the 2025 Vietnam Digital Technology Enterprise Map, a newly launched tool aimed at helping businesses strengthen market positioning, enhance competitiveness, and expand cooperation both domestically and internationally.

Lifestyle

-- Under the theme 'Vietnamese Ao Dai – Vietnam Rising,' the Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival will take place from March 1 to 9. This year's event will feature more than 50 ao dai designers, an increase of over 60 percent compared to last year.

World News

-- On Thursday, termination notices were issued for U.S.-funded projects worldwide, including those providing lifesaving care to millions in countries like Sudan and South Africa, sending shockwaves through the global aid community, Reuters reported.