Nordic News, Business and Life in Asia
Norwegian State Secretary Astrid Bergmål will travel to Hanoi to attend the signing ceremony for a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Her visit …
Norway’s Astrid Bergmål to attend EFTA–Vietnam trade deal signing Read More
Norway and Iceland have joined ASEAN countries in adopting a new economic cooperation plan covering the period from 2026 to 2030. Norwegian Ambassador to ASEAN Mariann Ruud Hagen and Ragnar …
Mariann Ruud Hagen and Ragnar Thorvardarson adopt new ASEAN–EFTA work plan Read More
Thailand has moved closer to reducing visa-free stays for travellers from all five Nordic countries from 60 to 30 days. Four notices implementing the revised visa rules were signed on …
Signed rules bring Thailand’s 30-day visa limit closer Read More
The Philippines and Iceland have agreed on a new framework that could allow airlines to operate daily passenger services between the two countries. Officials concluded the negotiations in Reykjavik on …
Philippines and Iceland agree framework for daily air services Read More
Air China will launch a new route connecting Beijing, Copenhagen and Reykjavik on 26 October 2026, creating a direct air link between the Chinese capital and Iceland via Denmark. The …
Air China launches Beijing–Copenhagen–Reykjavik route Read More
A delegation of Nordic buyers will attend Vietnam International Sourcing 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City as Vietnamese producers seek to expand their presence in Nordic food markets. Vietnam International …
Nordic food buyers return to Vietnam sourcing fair Read More
The Nordic business community in the Philippines is preparing for the return of Viking Party Manila, which will take place on 12 September 2026 at the Dusit Thani Manila. Organised …
Viking Party Manila returns on 12 September Read More
World-renowned Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson will open his travelling exhibition “Your Curious Journey” in Manila on July 9, marking the final stop of its tour across Asia and Australia, according …
Danish artist Olafur Eliasson opens exhibition on climate change in Manila Read More
The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and Vietnam have concluded negotiations on a free trade agreement, Reuters reports. The decision is the ending of more than a decade of talks …
EFTA concludes free trade agreement negotiations with Vietnam Read More
Thinking about moving to Thailand? Already living here but still discovering new things every day? The Thailand Expat Guide 2026 is now available, bringing together practical advice, local insights, …
Thailand Expat Guide 2026 Read More
Police in Patong have arrested a 37-year-old Icelandic man accused of attempting to steal a handbag from a female taxi driver while she was taking him to his hotel, Khaosod …
Icelandic tourist arrested after alleged robbery attempt in Phuket taxi Read More
Thailand’s higher airport departure fee for international travellers came into effect this weekend on Saturday 20 June. The passenger service charge for international departures has increased from 730 baht to …
Thailand’s higher airport fee has now taken effect Read More
Manila will host the final stop of Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson’s touring exhibition Your curious journey, opening this July. The exhibition will be hosted at the Museum of Contemporary Art …
Manila to mark final stop of Olafur Eliasson’s touring exhibition Read More
The 2026 Global Peace Index shows that global peace continues to be concentrated in a relatively small group of stable countries, with Northern Europe and parts of the Asia-Pacific region …
World’s most peaceful countries 2026: Iceland and Singapore in top 10 Read More
After more than two weeks without any contact, an Icelandic man who disappeared in Thailand has been located in immigration detention in Bangkok, Icelandic media Rúv reports. Sindri Freyr Jensson …
Missing Icelander found in immigration detention in Bangkok Read More
An Icelandic man has been reported missing in Pattaya, with family members asking for public help to find him. According to a post shared by his sister in the Facebook …
Icelander reported missing in Pattaya Read More
Vietnam has introduced new health quarantine rules for people entering, leaving or transiting through the country, with the measures taking effect from 1 July. Under the new decree, travellers may …
Vietnam introduces new health quarantine rules for travellers Read More
The European Union has adopted new Schengen visa facilitation rules for Thai nationals living in Thailand, making it easier for frequent travellers to obtain long-term multiple-entry visas for Europe. Under …
EU introduces easier long-term Schengen visas for Thai travellers Read More
Thailand’s cabinet has approved proposed changes to the Foreign Business Act aimed at making it easier for foreign companies to operate in the country, Thai Enquirer reports. The changes allow …
Thailand approves foreign business changes Read More
Thailand’s state-controlled airport company Airports of Thailand has confirmed that international passenger service charges will increase by around 50 percent from June 20, 2026, according to Thai Examiner. Under the …
Thailand confirms higher airport departure charges for international travellers Read More
Thailand is once again considering reducing the length of visa-free stays for foreign tourists less than two years after expanding the scheme to 60 days. Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak …
Thailand questions 60-day visa-free stays again as tourists leave after nine days anyway Read More
At around 34 kilometres, marathon runners normally “hit the wall”. The moment where the body begins to shut down and every step feels heavier than the last. At the Great …
First you hit the mental wall, then the Great Wall: Danes behind one of the toughest marathons Read More
The Nordic Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (NordCham Philippines) will host the Nordic-Philippine Business Awards 2026 in Manila on June 2. The event, which will take place at Dusit …
Nordic business leaders invited to major awards night in Manila Read More
Tourism operators in Thailand are calling for urgent government support as falling visitor numbers and weaker tourist spending put increasing pressure on the industry. According to Thai Examiner, foreign arrivals …
Hotels struggling, tourists spending less: Thailand’s tourism industry fears tough months ahead Read More
An Icelandic tourist was found dead on Koh Larn near Pattaya on 2 May, in a case police are treating as a suspected suicide. The 56-year-old man was discovered hanging …
Icelandic tourist found dead on Koh Larn with police investigating cause Read More
Thai AirAsia is cutting its flight capacity by around 30 percent in May and June, while also suspending multiple routes through to October, as soaring fuel prices continue to hit …
Thai AirAsia cuts 30 percent of flights and suspends routes until October Read More
If you are travelling with Thai AirAsia X in the coming months, your flight is likely to be affected. The airline has announced that it is reducing flight frequencies and …
Thai AirAsia X cuts flights again Read More
Travellers heading to Laos now have one more thing to remember before departure. All foreign visitors must complete the Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF) within three days before arriving in …
Laos introduces 3-day rule for tourists entering the country Read More Thailand is considering tightening its visa-free entry rules and could reduce the number of eligible countries from 93 to 57. According to The Thaiger, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports …
Thailand may scrap visa-free entry for 36 countries Read More
If you’re in Thailand this week, the weather is about to turn. Thailand’s Meteorological Department has issued a warning for summer storms across large parts of the country from April …
Storm warning across Thailand from Thursday to Saturday Read More
Brunei is stepping up efforts to attract tourists from Singapore. The Brunei Tourism Development Department recently showcased its tourism offerings at a travel fair in Singapore, highlighting experiences from rainforest …
Brunei goes all in to attract travellers from Singapore Read More
Singapore is stepping up efforts to protect its ports from growing cyber threats. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore has signed a new agreement with Germany’s Hamburg Port Authority …
Cyber fears rise: Singapore moves to protect key ports Read More
Thai Airways is reducing flights to all three Scandinavian capitals in May, as weaker tourism demand and rising fuel costs force the airline to scale back operations. The Thai flag …
Bad news for Scandinavian travellers: Thai Airways cuts flights during May Read More Thailand is planning a major reform to make it easier and faster for foreign companies to do business in the country, according to ASEAN Briefing. At the centre of the …
Thailand plans to make it easier for foreigners to start a business Read More
Tourism Authority of Thailand said Thailand’s Songkran festival is expected to have generated more than 30.35 billion baht over the five-day holiday period, underlining the massive economic impact of the …
Water festival cashes in: Songkran expected to have brought in 30 billion baht Read More
Laos is under pressure after a series of incidents involving foreign tourists, and authorities are now moving to tighten safety rules across the tourism sector, according to Travel and Tour …
Tourist deaths in Laos spark action: Government tries to win back trust among visitors Read More
Thailand has introduced fuel subsidies and frozen public transport fares after a sharp jump in fuel prices. The move follows a sudden increase of 6 baht per litre in late …
Fuel prices rising: Transport fares frozen in Thailand this April Read More
Malaysia Airlines is expanding its network with new routes to China and Japan. The airline will launch flights between Kuala Lumpur and Shenzhen and Changsha between July and September 2026. …
While flights are being cut across Asia one airline is going the opposite way Read More
Flight tickets with AirAsia are getting significantly more expensive. The increase comes as jet fuel prices have more than doubled in recent weeks, driven by escalating conflict in the Middle …
AirAsia raises ticket prices up to 40 percent: – It’s unavoidable Read More Several airlines in Thailand have suspended routes as fuel prices rise sharply. The changes come after fuel prices surged amid escalating conflict in the Middle East, according to Thaiger. Thai …
Airlines cut routes for several months in Thailand as fuel costs keep rising Read More
Mastercard has started testing AI-powered payments in Southeast Asia. In a press release, the company says its system is now live in early markets including Singapore and Malaysia. The technology …
Mastercard starts testing AI payments in Southeast Asia Read More
Travellers flying in Asia may soon need to rethink what they pack in their hand luggage. New international safety rules now limit passengers to carrying a maximum of two power …
Flying soon? You may not be allowed to do this anymore Read More
Vietnam is introducing a new emergency law that could give authorities sweeping powers over businesses and daily life in times of crisis. The law was approved in December 2025 and …
New law gives Vietnam more power over businesses and daily life Read More
Tourists from Denmark, Sweden and Norway are heading to Vietnam in growing numbers as the country records its strongest tourism start ever. Vietnam welcomed 6.76 million foreign visitors in the …
Nordics are choosing Vietnam like never before Read More
Air travel across Asia is under pressure right now. On April 5, thousands of travellers are experiencing delays and cancellations as widespread disruptions hit major airports across China, Japan, South …
Thousands of flights delayed across Asia as storms hit major hubs Read More
Foreigners in Vietnam could now face faster deportation under sweeping new rules that came into force this week. The changes allow authorities to remove people more quickly if they fail …
Break the rules and you’re gone: Vietnam tightens deportation laws Read More
Northern Thailand is heading into Songkran under a blanket of toxic smog. And tourists are staying away. Chiang Mai was this week ranked the most polluted city in the world, …
Toxic smog hits Chiang Mai: Tourists flee as Songkran approaches Read More
Touring Malaysia is becoming significantly more expensive. Tour bus and van rental prices have surged by up to 80 per cent due to rising diesel costs linked to the ongoing …
Price shock in Malaysia too: Tours up to 80 percent more expensive Read More
A hot air balloon carrying tourists collided with power lines in Vang Vieng, Laos, during a sunset flight on March 26, according to a video shared by Newsflare. The incident …
Tourist balloon slams into power lines in Laos Read More
Eurovision goes asian. Bangkok will host the first-ever Eurovision Song Contest Asia in November 2026, marking the competition’s first multinational expansion beyond its traditional format, according to an announcement from …
Bangkok to host massive new song contest as Eurovision invades Asia Read More