Ho Chi Minh City plans to set off fireworks at seven sites to mark National Day. The city has also released a plan to enter the world's top 50 smart cities by 2030. A smart city uses digital technology to manage daily services such as traffic and public transport. Tuoi Tre News shared both stories in its Vietnam Spotlight podcast on Friday.
In other news, police detained five Chinese nationals over an alleged fake monk scam that targeted visitors from abroad. Here, 'alleged' shows that the accusation has not been proven in court yet. China has also expanded visa-free transit for Vietnamese citizens. Visa-free transit lets travellers pass through a country for a short time without applying for a visa. Together, the reports touch on tourism, safety and technology in the region.