What you need to know today in Vietnam:

Politics

-- General Secretary To Lam and his spouse will pay a state visit to Indonesia and an official visit to Singapore from March 9 to 13, raising expectations for a new milestone in Vietnam's relations with the two countries, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

-- On Thursday, speaking aboard the multi-mission frigate Provence, part of the French aircraft carrier strike group, French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet emphasized that the vessel's presence in Ho Chi Minh City reflects Paris' goodwill and commitment to ensuring security and freedom in the region.

Society

-- On Thursday, a video circulated online in Quang Binh Province, north-central Vietnam showing staff from Hanh Luyen, a bus company based in the provincial capital city of Dong Hoi, involved in a physical altercation with a foreign passenger on the sidewalk of National Highway 1 in Dong Ha City, Quang Tri Province, reportedly over a dispute about a restroom stop.

-- The Hanoi People's Committee issued on Thursday Decision No. 1301, assigning the Hanoi Metropolitan Railway Management Board (MRB) to carry out investment preparations for the construction of the 39km metro line No. 5, spanning Van Cao – Ngoc Khanh – Lang – Hoa Lac.

-- A cold spell is forecast to affect the entire northern region of Vietnam on Friday, causing a sharp drop in temperature accompanied by rain, while the southern region remains sunny.

Business

-- Dozens of fresh, high-quality fruits imported directly from Japan, South Korea, the Netherlands, Poland, France, the U.S., and Australia are now available at a festival organized by Saigon Co.op. The event is taking place across more than 800 supermarkets and stores nationwide, offering great deals.

Sports

-- The Korea Volleyball Federation announced on Thursday the list of male and female athletes registered for tryouts in the national championship, with Vietnamese player Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen from LPBank Ninh Bình standing out as the only Vietnamese among 43 female candidates. The 2000-born opposite hitter is 1.88m tall, with a blocking reach of 3.05m and an approach jump of 3.18m.

World News

-- "Thousands of residents in Australia's east were ordered to evacuate ahead of Tropical Cyclone Alfred's landfall on Saturday as the storm brought heavy rains, huge waves and strong winds that cut off power, eroded beaches and closed airports," Reuters reported.

-- On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump delayed some tariffs on Canada and Mexico, prompting Ottawa to halt planned countermeasures and providing relief to businesses and consumers after market backlash, according to AFP.

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