Nordic News, Business and Life in Asia
Vietnam recorded strong export growth to Sweden, Denmark and Norway during the first half of 2026, supported by improved market access under the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement. Vietnamese exports to …
Strong growth in exports from Vietnam to the Nordic countries 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
Norway’s public transport authority Ruter has completed an extensive cybersecurity assessment of two electric buses, concluding that while there is no evidence of surveillance through onboard cameras, remotely connected vehicle …
Oslo transit authority tests cyber risks in Chinese electric buses Read More
Indonesia and Norway have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation on the energy transition, sustainable fisheries, forestry and climate action following a meeting between their foreign ministers on the sidelines of …
Indonesia, Norway expand cooperation on energy transition and forestry Read More
Sweden has formally acceded to the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), marking a new milestone in its engagement with Southeast Asia. The accession was signed in Manila on …
Sweden joins ASEAN friendship treaty during Manila visit Read More
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited and the Bangchak Group have jointly taken a significant step in advancing Thailand’s aviation and energy industries by fueling flight TG409 on the Bangkok–Singapore route with HEFA-SPK Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) produced in …
Thai Airways and Bangchak Mark First Use of Thai-Produced SAF, Advancing Low-Carbon Aviation Read More
Sweden has declared the mining of critical metals and rare earth minerals a national security interest as it seeks to reduce its dependence on China. China dominates the global supply …
Sweden speeds up mining plans to reduce dependence on China Read More
Filipino seafarers will continue to be needed in global shipping despite growing automation and technological changes, Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said during a visit to the Norwegian Training …
Norway: Filipino seafarers will remain essential in future shipping Read More
As part of our ongoing coverage of the topic of unequal access to pension supplements for Danish retirees living outside the EU, ScandAsia has on many occasions reached out to …
Political parties comment on Denmark’s pension discrimination Read More
Denmark and Indonesia have extended their government-to-government energy partnership for another five years, reinforcing cooperation on the green transition and renewable energy, Petromindo reports. The agreement was signed on 20 …
Denmark and Indonesia extend energy partnership for another five years Read More
I travelled across four islands in the Philippines to meet Nordic people living there. Along the way, I took buses, ferries and tricycles, got sick, missed a bus and …
I travelled across four islands in the Philippines on a budget. Here’s how it went Read More
For the past six months, I have been making my way around Bangkok’s many, many corners. One thing I have made particularly good use of is working from cafés. And …
Three Bangkok cafés I’d send my friends to Read More
A new offshore wind turbine installation vessel built in China has been delivered to a Danish shipping company, marking another milestone in the close cooperation between the two countries’ maritime …
Chinese shipyard delivers next-generation wind turbine vessel to Danish shipping company Read More
Thai air conditioner exports to Finland and Sweden have increased sharply this year as hotter weather creates greater demand for cooling in Europe. Exports to Finland rose by 367 percent …
Thailand sells more air conditioners to Finland and Sweden Read More
The Philippines, Norway and the ASEAN Secretariat met in Manila on 22 July to review their growing cooperation under the ASEAN-Norway Sectoral Dialogue Partnership. The trilateral meeting was chaired by …
Philippines, Norway and ASEAN review partnership at trilateral meeting in Manila Read More
Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT) will introduce new baggage security rules from October 16, allowing airport officers to open checked luggage without passengers being present if X-ray screening detects suspicious …
Thailand airports to allow baggage inspections without passengers present Read More
For nearly two decades, Axel Blom has helped connect Norwegian businesses with Thailand through his company Norway Connect. Now, he has been awarded the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit, Knight …
For nearly two decades, Axel Blom has built bridges in Thailand. Now he has received Norway’s Order of Merit Read More
Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson is set to visit the Philippines on 23 July for talks with Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on defence cooperation and the possible purchase …
Swedish defence minister to visit Philippines for talks on Gripen fighter jets Read More
A Danish gymnastics coach has shared his expertise with young athletes in Malaysia after leading a workshop in Sabah during a family holiday. Jimmi Anderson conducted the training session in …
Danish gymnastics coach shares expertise with Sabah athletes Read More
A simple coconut ice cream from a street cart has turned into a small cultural moment between Sweden and Thailand. The Swedish Embassy in Bangkok recently shared a photo of …
Swedish Embassy goes viral in Thailand over 40-baht coconut ice cream Read More
Chinese Ambassador to Norway Hou Yue has bid farewell to Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide as she prepares to conclude her diplomatic posting in Oslo. The farewell meeting took …
Chinese ambassador bids farewell to Norway’s foreign minister Read More
Carlsberg Vietnam has launched its new sustainability programme, Brewing Tomorrow, bringing together suppliers and partners to strengthen cooperation on greener production and responsible business practices, Vietnam Investment Review reports. The …
Carlsberg Vietnam launches new sustainability programme with supplier partners Read More
IKEA is putting eight former stores in China up for sale as the Swedish furniture giant reduces its mainland footprint amid falling sales and a prolonged property crisis. The properties, …
IKEA puts eight Chinese stores up for sale Read More
The parents of Lily, the Hong Kong girl at the centre of the “Save Lily” case, have filed a formal complaint with the Norrköping District Court in Sweden, accusing authorities …
‘Save Lily’ parents accuse Sweden of illegally detaining daughter Read More
Finnish design brand Marimekko is inviting visitors to explore its colourful prints at a special pop-up exhibition in Bangkok. The event runs until 22 July at Mega FoodWalk in Mega …
Finnish design brand Marimekko opens floral pop-up in Bangkok Read More
Thailand’s air force plans to seek funding for eight additional Swedish-made Gripen E/F fighter jets, completing a new squadron of 12 aircraft to replace its ageing F-16 fleet. The Royal …
Thailand plans to buy eight more Swedish Gripen fighter jets Read More
Finland has approved visas for just 123 Thai berry pickers this year after rejecting more than 2,000 applications, a decision expected to worsen labour shortages during the country’s wild berry …
Finland grants visas to only 123 Thai berry pickers Read More
Norwegian salmon exports to China rose sharply in June, with the Norwegian Seafood Council linking part of the growth to its marketing campaign featuring football star Erling Haaland. According to …
Haaland campaign helps drive 31% rise in Norwegian salmon exports to China Read More
The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) continues to boost trade between Vietnam and the Nordic region, but new EU regulations are set to make market access more demanding, Voice of …
EVFTA boosts Vietnam-Nordic trade as new EU rules raise the bar Read More
Thailand’s Ambassador to Denmark, H.E. Suphanvasa Chotikajan Tang, visited Bornholm in June to attend Folkemødet 2026, meet the local Thai community and explore opportunities for cooperation in renewable energy, Ministry …
Thai ambassador visits Bornholm to explore green energy cooperation Read More
A year and a half after six foreign tourists died from methanol poisoning in Laos, authorities have charged a distillery owner with selling food harmful to health and operating an …
Laos charges distillery owner after methanol deaths of six foreign tourist Read More
Swedish engineering group Atlas Copco is expanding its presence in China through the acquisition of Guangdong Euroklimat, a Chinese manufacturer of industrial heating and cooling equipment, Sweden Herald reports. Guangdong …
Swedish Atlas Copco buys Chinese heating and cooling company Read More
Malaysia is turning a diplomatic setback into a push for greater defence independence. After Norway blocked the export of Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) intended for the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Littoral …
Malaysia now looks to make its own missiles after Norway deal fails Read More
A Norwegian man suspected of financing a boxing camp in Rayong that was allegedly used to traffic underage boys for sex has died of natural causes earlier this year, before …
Norwegian suspect in Muay Thai trafficking case dead Read More
Thailand is preparing a 2.45-billion-baht tourism boost aimed at making travel cheaper and attracting more visitors as the country faces stronger competition from destinations across the region, Bangkok Post reports. …
Thailand launches billion-baht plan to boost tourism with cheaper hotels and flights Read More
Thai police have arrested the manager of a Muay Thai camp in Rayong for trafficking underage boys for sex, while searching for a Norwegian sponsor accused of financing the camp …
Norwegian sponser wanted in Muay Thai camp child abuse case Read More
The Chinese Embassy in Denmark marked the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China with a film screening and cultural event in Copenhagen on July 10, …
Chinese Embassy marks Communist Party anniversary with film screening in Copenhagen Read More
When Thailand rolled out its Destination Thailand Visa in July 2024, it didn’t take long for people to start calling it the country’s answer to the global remote-work boom. The …
Thailand’s tourism outlook weakens, while DTV enters a new phase Read More
Bombs fell on Laos every eight minutes between 1964 and 1973. More than 50 years later, unexploded bombs still lie hidden beneath fields, forests and villages, affecting families across 14 …
Video: Living with the danger beneath their feet Read More
More than 50 years after the bombing of Laos, unexploded ordnance still claims lives, causes injuries and forces families to live in fear. In May, ScandAsia visited Yanika’s village in …
Yanika and her family live with the danger of unexploded bombs beneath their home: “We just want to live a normal life” Read More
A Hong Kong couple has filed a complaint with the United Nations over Swedish authorities’ plans to permanently transfer the guardianship of their four-year-old daughter to a foster family. The …
Hong Kong couple files UN complaint over Swedish custody case Read More
Indonesia is looking to strengthen defence cooperation with Finland in cybersecurity, data protection and advanced defence technology. The plans were discussed during a meeting between Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin …
Indonesia seeks stronger cybersecurity cooperation with Finland Read More
Finnish Nokia has signed a new agreement with Taiwan Mobile to expand its 5G partnership and help develop AI-powered mobile networks across Taiwan. The agreement will see Nokia deploy its …
Finnish Nokia expands AI-powered 5G partnership with Taiwan Mobile Read More
Chulalongkorn University’s Thai Youth Orchestra (CHULA ThaiYO) will travel to Sweden this week to perform at events marking the 129th anniversary of King Chulalongkorn’s historic visit to Europe. The university …
Chulalongkorn youth orchestra to perform in Sweden for King Chulalongkorn commemoration Read More
Laotian authorities will hold a press conference this week on the 2024 deaths of two Danish backpackers who died after suspected methanol poisoning in Vang Vieng. The press conference is …
Laos will hold press conference on deaths of two Danish backpackers Read More
Thai teenage guitarist and singer Nene Royal has received support from a Danish fan as she prepares for the next round of America’s Got Talent in the United States. Nene …
Nene Royal plays Danish guitar on the road to America’s Got Talent Read More
The July – August 2026 issue of ScandAsia Magazine is now available! This issue features compelling stories from across Asia—from life above unexploded bombs in Laos and responsible tourism in …
ScandAsia Magazine July – August 2026 Read More
A mine clearance team from Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) has found and removed 18 unexploded wartime explosives buried in a forest in Hue in central Vietnam. The explosives included artillery …
18 wartime explosives cleared in Hue Read More
Norway has reaffirmed its commitment to relations with Malaysia after Malaysia decided to halt future military purchases from Norway. The decision follows Norway’s withdrawal of export licences linked to the …
Norway pledges to preserve Malaysia ties after defence procurement fiasco Read More
Indonesia has imported live breeding pigs from Denmark for the first time as the country works to rebuild its swine population after years of losses caused by African Swine Fever …
These 546 Danish pigs went to Indonesia Read More