Nordic News, Business and Life in Asia
Swedes in southern Vietnam must contact Sweden’s embassy in Hanoi for emergency passports from 14 October to 4 November 2026. During this period, Sweden’s Honorary Consulate General in Ho Chi …
Swedish consulate in Ho Chi Minh City pauses emergency passport service Read More
Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen and Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan have agreed to deepen cooperation on artificial intelligence. Their joint statement also covers quantum technologies and digital infrastructure. It …
Finland and Singapore deepen AI and quantum technology cooperation Read More
Finland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Riikka Purra participated in a high-level discussion on global economic resilience in Bangkok on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, alongside the heads of …
Finnish Finance Minister Riikka Purra joins global economic leaders in Bangkok Read More
Swedish pop star Zara Larsson gave a Singaporean dancer an unforgettable moment when she invited him onstage during her performance at the Singapore Grand Prix on Saturday, 10 October 2026. …
Zara Larsson invites Singaporean dancer onstage at F1 concert Read More
Swedish furniture retailer IKEA has opened an official flagship store on Douyin, China’s popular short-video and e-commerce platform, as part of its efforts to reach consumers through new digital shopping …
IKEA turns to Douyin as it reshapes retail strategy in China Read More
Business Sweden has strengthened its presence in China with additional staff, expanded local expertise and newly renovated offices in Shanghai. The investment is intended to help Swedish companies develop business …
Business Sweden expands operations in Shanghai Read More
A Norwegian television crew was in Thailand last week to film an episode of Forsvunnet (Missing), a TV 2 programme investigating the disappearance of people whose families are still searching …
Norwegian TV crew films mystery in Thailand Read More
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
Norwegian defence equipment manufacturer H. Henriksen AS will supply mine-clearing technology for the Indonesian Navy’s new unmanned vessels, marking the first export of its HEMLIS system outside Europe. The Norwegian …
Norwegian mine-clearing technology for Indonesian Navy Read More
Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen criticised the United States’ decision to lift sanctions on Russian diesel exports during her visit to Singapore on 13 October, Reuters reported. Speaking to Reuters …
Finland’s Valtonen criticises US Russian diesel decision in Singapore Read More
Norwegian soldiers discovered that Chinese-made rental cars had recorded military movements and security codes during a major defence exercise near Oslo, raising concerns about the security of data collected by …
Chinese-made rental cars recorded Norwegian military exercise Read More
Finnish Formula 1 driver Valtteri Bottas chose an unusual way to travel between two Grand Prix races in Southeast Asia: he cycled nearly 420 kilometres from Malaysia to Singapore. Instead …
Finnish F1 driver Bottas cycles 420 km from Malaysia to Singapore Read More
Finland’s Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, Ville Tavio, is visiting Indonesia and Vietnam this week, accompanied by Finnish companies seeking new business opportunities in digital technology, energy and healthcare. …
Finnish trade minister leads business mission to Indonesia and Vietnam Read More
In an exclusive interview with ScandAsia, Norway’s new ambassador to Thailand, Frode Solberg, shares his ambitions to strengthen trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. After more than 30 …
New Norwegian Ambassador Frode Solberg on trade ties with Thailand: “There Is Potential for More” Read More
Norway’s Minister of International Development, Åsmund Aukrust, will focus on creating jobs through cooperation with businesses when he attends the World Bank’s annual meetings in Bangkok from 13 to 15 …
Norway’s Aukrust to focus on job creation at Bangkok meetings Read More
Denmark’s Mia Blichfeldt defeated Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon 21–17, 21–13 to win the women’s singles title at the Arctic Open in Vantaa, Finland, on Sunday, 11 October. Blichfeldt, ranked 15th in …
Mia Blichfeldt beats Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon to win Arctic Open Read More
Queen Suthida of Thailand has completed her first solo flight in a Swedish-built Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter jet, marking a remarkable milestone in her aviation career and highlighting the …
Thai Queen makes history with solo flight in Swedish Gripen fighter jet Read More
Foreign residents applying for Finnish citizenship will face a new citizenship test from March 2027 as Finland introduces stricter requirements for becoming a citizen. The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) announced …
Finland to introduce citizenship test for foreign applicants in 2027 Read More
Audiobook platform Audible plans to expand into Indonesia, Denmark, Norway and Finland in 2027, not Sweden, bringing its services to new audiences in Southeast Asia and Northern Europe. Audible is …
Audible to launch in Indonesia and three Nordic countries in 2027 Read More
Swedish furniture retailer IKEA is preparing its stores in Denmark to help people during major emergencies, including power outages, flooding and other crises, as European countries strengthen their civil preparedness. …
IKEA stores in Denmark prepare to serve as emergency shelters Read More
Norwegian aquaculture company Nordic Aqua Partners increased its salmon harvest in China by 35 percent in the third quarter of 2026 compared with the previous quarter, as production at its …
Norwegian salmon producer boosts harvest in China by 35% Read More
A Chinese heavy-lift cargo vessel linked to Russia’s sanctioned Arctic gas industry has been observed lingering near Norway’s northern maritime border, raising questions about its movements and destination. The vessel, …
Sanctioned Chinese ship spotted near Norway’s Arctic border Read More
The October 2026 issue of ScandAsia Magazine is now available! From choosing the right preschool or kindergarten to discovering the people who make a difference across Asia, this October issue …
ScandAsia Magazine October 2026 Read More
Swedish medical technology company Elekta has signed a five-year cooperation agreement with Thailand’s King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL), aiming to strengthen collaboration in medical technology, research and education. …
Swedish medical technology company Elekta signs five-year deal in Thailand Read More
Finland has begun outsourcing the reception of residence permit applications in Vietnam to a service centre operated by VFS Global, with applications accepted at its Hanoi centre from 6 October. …
Finland moves residence permit applications to VFS Global in Vietnam Read More
Nordic companies explored business opportunities linked to Penang’s transport, water and urban development plans at the Nordic Smart City Roadshow in Malaysia on 8 October. Denmark’s ambassador to Malaysia, Kirstine …
Nordic companies explore Penang’s transport and water plans Read More
Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen will visit Singapore on 13 October for talks on artificial intelligence and to deliver an opening address at Singapore International Cyber Week. During the visit, …
Elina Valtonen heads to Singapore for AI and cybersecurity talks Read More
Finnish Formula One driver Valtteri Bottas arrived in Singapore after cycling more than 419km from Malaysia over four days, combining his preparation for the Singapore Grand Prix with a long-distance …
Finnish F1 driver Valtteri Bottas cycles 420km from Malaysia to Singapore Read More
More than 30 Swedish delegates will travel to Bangkok for the IMF–World Bank Annual Meetings from 12 to 18 October, according to an announcement by Sweden’s embassy on 6 October. …
Sweden sends over 30 delegates to Bangkok Read More
Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk has introduced a higher-dose version of semaglutide in Thailand, giving adults with type 2 diabetes an additional treatment option. The company announced the introduction in a …
Novo Nordisk introduces new diabetes treatment option in Thailand Read More
Vietnam’s Dai Nam University and Norway’s Gokstad Academy plan to introduce short courses in Vietnam from early 2027 under a partnership announced by the university on 8 October. The initial …
Dai Nam and Norway’s Gokstad plan short courses in Vietnam from 2027 Read More
Norway and Indonesia have launched the fifth phase of the FOLU Community Fund, continuing a long-running partnership aimed at supporting local communities and sustainable forest management. The new phase was …
Norway and Indonesia launch fifth phase of forest fund Read More
A.P. Møller Holding, the Danish investment company that owns A.P. Moller – Maersk, is expanding its presence in Asia as it looks to invest in promising startups across the region. …
A.P. Møller Holding expands Asian investment push Read More
Cambodian authorities have denied allegations that two activists, including a Norwegian national, were handed over to Vietnam after being detained in Cambodia. The case has raised concerns over the treatment …
Cambodia denies handing Norwegian activists to Vietnam Read More
Danes and the Danish Church in Thailand will host an Advent service and Danish Christmas lunch in Bangkok on Sunday, 29 November. The event begins at 11am at the Danish …
Danes and Danish Church invite community to Advent lunch in Bangkok Read More
Thailand’s Meteorological Department has issued a heavy rain warning for 9–13 October, with Bangkok and surrounding areas affected from 10–12 October. The advisory, issued at 5am on 7 October, forecasts …
Thailand warns of heavy rain and flood risk from 9 October Read More
Thailand called for shared regional standards, green skills and better access to finance at the Denmark-backed ASEAN circular economy forum in Bangkok. Chatvadee Chindawongse, Deputy Director-General of Thailand’s Department of …
Denmark backs ASEAN circular economy forum in Bangkok Read More
Southeast Asia port bottlenecks are limiting trade growth, says Elaine Low, the Danish shipping group Maersk’s Area Managing Director for Southeast Asia. In a Freight Buyers’ Club interview published on …
Maersk’s Elaine Low warns of Southeast Asia port bottlenecks Read More
Finland and Vietnam are exploring cooperation on digital healthcare and smart hospital solutions following a workshop held in Hanoi on 2 October, according to a Facebook post from the Finnish …
Finland and Vietnam explore smart hospital cooperation Read More
Norway and Vietnam are marking 30 years of cooperation between Norway and Nha Trang University, with a focus on education, research and the development of Vietnam’s marine and fisheries sectors, …
Norway and Vietnam mark 30 years of university cooperation Read More
Norwegian company DNV forecasts that data centre power demand in Southeast Asia will rise almost ninefold by 2040. Its Energy Transition Outlook 2026 puts annual consumption at around 17 terawatt-hours …
DNV forecasts ninefold rise in data centre power demand in Southeast Asia Read More
A new central kitchen at Wat Don School in Bangkok is set to provide healthier school meals to almost 1,500 pupils as part of a cooperation between Bangkok, Denmark and …
Novo Nordisk-backed kitchen brings healthier meals to 1,500 Bangkok pupils Read More
Norwegian trout exports fell by 32 per cent in September compared with the same month last year. Thailand remained among Norway’s three largest trout markets. The Norwegian Seafood Council released …
Thailand remains a key market as Norwegian trout exports drop Read More
Denmark is ready to share its experience and expertise with Vietnam as the Southeast Asian country seeks to develop a large offshore wind industry, Lina Gandløse Hansen, the Danish Ambassador …
Danish Ambassador Lina Gandløse Hansen backs Vietnam’s offshore wind ambitions Read More
The Denmark-Vietnam Alumni Network team took third place in its category at the Hanoi Open Dragon Boat Racing Festival on 4 October. Racing on Hanoi’s West Lake, the team reached …
Denmark-Vietnam team takes third at Hanoi dragon boat race Read More
A Filipino Christmas tradition has found a new home in Billund, where LEGO senior model designer Lee Magpili has recreated the iconic Filipino parol entirely from LEGO bricks. The creation …
Filipino designer turns a Christmas tradition into LEGO art Read More
Norwegian ship designer and builder VARD has opened a new engineering office in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The company plans to grow the team to more than 40 engineers …
Norwegian VARD opens engineering office in Vietnam Read More
Danish shipping company Maersk will introduce a peak season surcharge on dry-container shipments from Southeast Asia to Oceania from 1 November 2026. For shipments to Australia, Papua New Guinea and …
Maersk introduces surcharge on Southeast Asia–Oceania shipments Read More
New Vestas orders in Vietnam will see the Danish wind turbine maker supply 16 turbines for two wind farms in the country’s central region. The orders cover V163 turbines from …
Vestas wins orders for 16 wind turbines in Vietnam Read More
Norwegian airline Norse Atlantic Airways is promoting its Thailand services as it expands its presence on routes between Europe and Southeast Asia. The airline, headquartered in Arendal, Norway, operates Boeing …
Norwegian airline Norse expands Thailand services Read More