What you need to know today in Vietnam:

Politics

-- King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium will make a state visit to Vietnam from March 31 to April 4, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday.

-- Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva arrived at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi on Thursday, beginning a three-day state visit to Vietnam, accompanied by a high-level delegation from the executive and legislative branches.

Society

-- At the opening session of UK-Southeast Asia Tech Week 2025 on Thursday morning, the British Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City and the Ho Chi Minh City Digital Transformation Center signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in science, technology, and innovation.

-- According to Vietnam's Ministry of Health, the measles outbreak remains complex, with not only young children but also many adults being hospitalized in critical condition.

-- Hot weather continues across central and southern Vietnam on Friday, while northern regions will see less sunshine and experience a cold front in the evening.

Business

-- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met on Thursday with Klaus Zellmer, chairman of Skoda Auto, during his visit to Vietnam. The prime minister expressed his hope that Skoda would collaborate in developing Vietnam’s automotive industry ecosystem.

Education

-- Forty-five students from Tue Duc Elementary and Middle School in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday and Thursday experienced stomach pain after eating meals at school, raising suspicions of food poisoning.

Sports

-- The Vietnamese women's national team will compete in the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup qualifiers this June, kicking off their campaign for a second FIFA Women's World Cup appearance.

World News

-- Six Russians died, and 39 foreign tourists were rescued after a sightseeing submarine sank off the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Hurghada on Thursday, Reuters cited the local governor's office as saying on Facebook, confirming that all passengers and crew had been accounted for.