BackStories » Asia

in Asia

Vietnamese Staff Member Wins 7-Eleven Japan's Annual Customer Care Contest

A Vietnamese national recently surpassed over 2,000 other contenders to claim the top spot in a customer service contest in Japan.

in Asia

Pride Fest, Cambodia's Most Ambitious LGBT Event to Date, Is Coming This Week

On a steamy evening in downtown Phnom Penh, Rebecca Chan takes the stage. The crowd — mostly Cambodian millennials and Gen Z's — is riled up from previous performances, but Chan’s composure tames thei...

in Asia

On Finding Flavors of Home in Takadanobaba, Tokyo's 'Vietnam Town'

A bánh mì stand to the left, signs for Bích Karaoke above an alley across the street, an open shopfront lined with bottles of Chin-Su chili sauce and G7 coffee sachets, a laid back restaurant where wa...

Chris Humphrey

in Asia

Inside Cambodia's Floating Village, Where 40% of People Are Ethnic Vietnamese

Chong Kneas floating village, only 15 kilometers south of Siem Reap, is one of hundreds that line Tonle Sap Lake. Tens of thousands of families live in these clustered homes, around 40% of whom are Vi...

in Asia

Pandemic Pushes 80m People in Asia Into Extreme Poverty, ADB Data Shows

The global pandemic has undone decades of economic improvement in some nations.

in Asia

Uniqlo Parent Company Becomes World's Most Valuable Fashion Retailer

Although still lagging behind Zara's parent company, Inditex, in revenue and profits, Fast Retailing, the parent company of Uniqlo, hit a higher market capitalization this week.

in Asia

Thailand Reopens for Tourists From 56 Countries, Albeit With Compulsory Quarantine

It is not confirmed yet whether Vietnam is part of the list of countries eligible for the scheme.

in Asia

Vietnam, Singapore Agree to Create Travel Bubble Next Year

Don't get your tourism hopes up though.

in Asia

Japan Plans to Ban Sale of Gasoline Cars by Next Decade

By the mid-2030s, all new cars sold in Japan will need to be hybrid gasoline-electric or fully electric.

in Asia

World's Largest Trade Bloc Created During Vietnam-Led ASEAN Summit

Vietnam is now part of the world's largest trade bloc.

in Asia

Singapore to Lift Restrictions on Travelers From Australia, Vietnam Next Week

Starting October 8, the nation will lift arrival restrictions in light of the two country's successful handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

in Asia

Thai Cabinet Approves Bill to Legalize Same-Sex Partnerships

Thailand is on its way to allowing same-sex unions.

in Asia

China Removes Pangolin Scales From Official Traditional Medicine List

The move has given conservationists hope in the fight to save the world's most-trafficked animal.

in Asia

11 Nests of Rare Sea Turtles Found in Thailand Amid Lockdown

When the cat's away, the mice will play; or in this case, during pandemic lockdown, animals will reclaim the spaces once bustling with human activity.

in Asia

Singapore to Introduce Vietnamese Language to School Curriculum

Singapore's Ministry of Education (MoE) will introduce Vietnamese and Thai studies alongside increased attention to Malay and Chinese.

in Asia

China to Release Dam Water in Upper Mekong to Aid Droughts

Severe droughts in the Mekong Delta region are being exacerbated by the building and storage of water in dams. 

in Asia

Indonesia Minister Proposes Taxes to Sugary Drinks, Polluting Vehicles, Plastic Bags

There is a new proposal to tax sugary drinks, plastic bags and cars that release high amounts of carbon dioxide emissions in Indonesia. 

in Asia

Japan Imposes Stricter Visa Process for Foreign Students, Including Vietnam, From April

Due to the increasing number of visa overstays, Japan's Immigration Services Agency will tighten the issuing process for student visas for dozens of countries from April.

in Asia

Singaporean Scientists Find New Way to Break Down Plastic

It's a brave new world.

in Asia

After Thailand Bans Plastic Bags, Shoppers Turn to Buckets, Pots and Pans

On New Year's Day, tens of thousands of stores throughout Thailand stopped giving out plastic bags free of charge.