Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam

A spotlight is being put on counterfeit liquor in Southeast Asia after six people died from methanol poisoning in the Laotian backpacker hotspot Vang Vieng.

Laos wants to integrate more with the regional economy to overcome its economic challenges, but questions remain as to whether it can pull it off.

China has financed major infrastructure projects in Laos, but the return on investment has yet to overcome the small country’s mounting debt problems.

Critics of Laos’ repressive one-party state, both in the country and in exile in Thailand, have been targeted in a recent series of arrests and attacks.

The shooting of Anousa “Jack” Luangsuphom, a prominent rights activist in Laos, may come as a warning to the few critics who dare speak against the communist government, experts say.

The recent deaths of foreign tourists in Laos caused by tainted alcoholic drinks has highlighted the risks of bootlegged booze across Southeast Asia . Tommy Walker has more from Bangkok.

Earlier this month, Thailand launched its version of a digital nomad visa

A Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 disappeared from radar over the Indian Ocean ten years ago, but families of those who were on board still seek closure for their loved ones.

Malaysia wants to reap benefits by boosting economic ties with China, but at the same time is hedging its bets amid territorial conflicts and increased US-China competition in the region.

Seeing a pattern of hate speech and division in Malaysia, media monitors tracked social media during state elections

For decades, global business hub Singapore has lauded itself as one of the world’s most open economies. But the Southeast Asian country’s new foreign interference law could taint its liberal image.

Vietnam has endured months of political turbulence, but the appointment of a new president is expected to bring calm and restore the nation’s implicit power-sharing arrangement.

The World Bank has forecast that Vietnam will show the strongest growth of the emerging economies in Southeast Asia.

Vietnam and the Philippines are both at odds with China over its sweeping territorial claims and growing military presence in the South China Sea.

Despite their shared political ideology and mutual understanding, Vietnam and China find themselves entrenched in longstanding conflicts over disputed waters.

Another high-ranking official has stepped down during continued scrutiny of corruption. That has led to questions about how the political instability could affect the ruling Communist Party.

Vietnam authorities arrested a popular YouTuber last week. But why is the Vietnamese government cracking down on independent voices?

With Vietnam recently upgrading ties with the US and Japan, it is now China’s turn to charm its neighbor. The two Communist parties are closely linked, but Hanoi cannot afford to be too submissive to Beijing.

The politics of climate change in Vietnam’s authoritarian system has led to climate activists being arrested and imprisoned.

What does the newly strengthened partnership mean for the United States and Vietnam — and how does China view their reinforced alliance?

As tourism rebounds after COVID, industry experts say Vietnam is becoming a favored destination for travelers to Asia. However, Thailand looks to remain No. 1 for the foreseeable future.

Vietnam wants foreign media to tell its story, but reporters and analysts say a dire record on censorship makes that tough

A human rights group says the arrests of the Vietnamese activists were politically motivated