Asia Insight

In July 2021, Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam saw an explosion of new COVID-19 cases. A medical team of 1,500 traveled from capital Hanoi to help, including over 800 student nurses. With few locals vaccinated, the students carried out tests across the city, urging positive patients to quarantine. They recorded footage of their experiences on the front lines of this battle as they discovered the realities of life as a medical professional through 2 months working in a city in lockdown.

The island of Bali, Indonesia suffered a massive blow to its tourism industry during the pandemic, and many were left unemployed. To get by, some people decided to use their cooking skills or management experience to set up their own businesses. Sendok Kreatif (The Creative Spoon) is a group of restaurant consultants, chefs and other experts who provide free guidance on product development and marketing. Their efforts have helped put some 10 small firms on the map. As the future of the tourism industry remains cloudy, we follow the people turning to entrepreneurship to make ends meet.

During the Vietnam War, Laos was bombed heavily by US military forces. An estimated 80 million unexploded bombs remained, leading to over 50,000 casualties in the decades since. The Laos government provides free treatment and rehabilitation to survivors, but many are unaware that this support exists. In 2019, a rural support NGO teamed up with the Laos Centre for Medical Rehabilitation. The NGO uses its network to help find survivors and bring them to the center, and accompanies doctors to rural villages to provide treatment and rehab. Discover how the survivors of these explosions are being supported in Laos.

Photographer Rat Puanrak runs a feeding site on Thailand's Phuket Island that has become a sanctuary for migrating Himalayan Vultures. These imposing birds of prey face the threat of extinction from dwindling food supplies and agricultural chemicals. In this program, we follow the tireless efforts of Rat - and his widening support network of researchers, veterinarians and volunteers - as they work to protect an endangered species.

Since the one-child policy ended in 2016, demand for fertility treatment in China has grown. Residents of rural areas travel to cities to receive treatment, staying at lodgings in districts that people call "child-seeking towns." Their reasons for treatment are diverse: Some hope for a second child or a son now that the policy has been abolished, while others feel compelled by the culture of their villages. This episode follows a year in the life of families seeking to bring a new child into the world.

As Vietnam enjoys rapid economic growth, one community on Hanoi's Red River has been left behind. The "Floating Village" is a series of homes on the water that uses drums as floats. Many residents have no official papers and are unable to find permanent work or receive government aid. A rise in COVID-19 cases in the summer of 2021 left them in desperate straits. We follow 2 out-of-work families and the community's leader as they work to survive the pandemic.

Accompanying its growing economy, the pharmaceutical industry in China is expanding at a brisk pace. New medicines require participants in clinical trials to ensure that they are safe and effective for human use. These trials held in cities like Beijing pay richly by local standards, granting repeat participants and their recruiters newfound financial freedom. This episode examines China's pharmaceutical industry and the effect its testing system has on people from various walks of life.

Theaters and comedy clubs in the Philippines have been hit particularly hard by pandemic lockdowns. Entertainment group Comedy Manila is holding free and paid online events through social media and conferencing apps. The 50 members include 1 local superstar with over 800,000 followers on social media, alongside newcomers working regular jobs to make ends meet. Meet the entertainers and fans determined to beat back the pandemic through laughter.

In the forests of southern Laos is a national preserve for the endangered Eld's deer. The deer are famous for their large, beautiful antlers with crescent curves. Although they once roamed from India to China, poaching and deforestation have led to their extinction in many countries. They were believed to have vanished from Laos 50 years ago, but were rediscovered in 2008. The government has led conservation efforts ever since, and the preserve is changing the lives of locals who depended on the forest for survival. Discover how the government is looking to protect the deer while improving the lives of locals.

Mt. Kinabalu, with an elevation of 4,095 meters, is a majestic presence in Malaysian North Borneo, and a World Heritage Site. But from 2020, tourism has been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Some indigenous people see a connection with the 2015 earthquake, believing both to be due to divine wrath. In this episode, we meet the residents of this region who live while respecting the sanctity of nature, and seek new ways to sustain themselves.

Since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine in February of 2022, many Chinese officials and citizens have made remarks supporting Russia's actions, but the opinions held by some people differ greatly. Filmmakers throughout the country create short films opposing the invasion, and young people in Yunnan collect messages from Chinese citizens to be translated and conveyed to show sympathy to those suffering in the war.

Young South Koreans are building breweries to make makgeolli, soju and other traditional alcohol. Hangang Brewery, established in 2018, sells a wildly popular makgeolli that uses 100% Seoul-grown rice with no sweeteners. One former owner-chef closed his restaurant to focus on brewing makgeolli, while 4 entrepreneurs launched an online business selling regional alcohol paired with labels designed by young artists. Traditional alcohol is no longer just a fun pastime, but a form of self-expression for the young people shaping a new culture.

Durian, a sweet, intense-smelling fruit, is known as the King of Fruit in Thailand. Nonthaburi Province is home to a traditional farming method passed down from generation to generation to cultivate top-quality durians. Top varieties can cost several hundred dollars each. However, in 2011, record flooding hit the area, destroying many farms and livelihoods. Adding to farmers' woes, the absence of successors and urban development is pushing them toward an unprecedented existential crisis. We follow 2 farmers who continue to protect their fields and pass on their durian heritage.

As most of the world adapts to life with the virus during the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, China continues its strictly enforced Zero-COVID Policy with frequent lockdowns. Although the country's infection rate is among the lowest in the world, the thorough policy carries major drawbacks: Countless workers are suddenly separated from their jobs, causing great personal and economic hardship. In this episode, we speak to the people in Beijing who pay a high price under the policy.

As a platform of his campaign, newly elected President Yoon Suk-yeol pledged to disband the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, a government organization that furthers women's rights. His statement courted controversy, sparking a discussion as to which gender truly encounters discrimination: Although women are expected to fulfill traditional motherly roles, men lose 2 working years to mandatory military service. This episode examines the gender debate that divides South Korean society and politics.

The Hunza Valley in northeastern Pakistan is a region of extraordinary beauty and serenity. Bibi Amina, one of Hunza's first female carpenters, first took up her tools here 13 years ago. Pakistan is a Muslim country, and many believe strongly in male superiority. It's considered shameful for a woman to work outside the home, and some men in Hunza could not accept a woman taking up a "man's job" like carpentry. Amina faced significant criticism, with some even calling for her work to be burned to the ground. But she has continued to work to make ends meet, earning recognition from her male peers. She is now part of a group of female carpenters, all striving for financial independence. Meet the extraordinary women of Hunza.

South Korea holds the world's 10th highest GDP, and yet its welfare budget for disabled people is just 0.6% of this, less than one third the average of other OECD countries. In response, disabled citizens have taken to subway stations to demonstrate for their rights, especially freedom of movement. Less than 30% of South Korea's buses are wheelchair-accessible, and some of its stations lack elevators. This episode chronicles the country's disabled populace who rally for social change.

The town of Poipet lies in northwest Cambodia, by the border with Thailand. It's home to 3 special economic zones that have attracted manufacturers from around Asia and the West. Just 3 and a half hours by car to Bangkok, labor costs are two-thirds lower than in Thailand, and the government is offering special tax cuts. It's an attractive proposition for many firms, and workers have been drawn to Poipet's buoyant growth. However, not everyone is reaping the economic benefits – the wealth gap between factory staff and other locals is widening. Explore the border town of Poipet, and its dreams of becoming a growth hub for Southeast Asia.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Thailand's once vibrant tourism industry shut down completely, preventing visitors from entering from overseas. Although access has now resumed, hotel occupancy rates are still less than half their previous levels. In order to survive, local hotels and businesses used the off season to develop new tours and plans that highlight environmental preservation and sustainability. In this episode, we take part in the projects bringing new potential to tourism in Thailand.

Over burning sands in summer and snowy plains of minus 30 degrees Celsius in winter: One medical team is traversing Mongolia to examine and operate on rural children with heart defects for free. Top heart surgeon Dr. Boldsaikhan launched the project in June 2020, saving some 200 children a year with funding from corporate and private donations. But as he fights his own battle with stage four stomach cancer, he is also focused on training his mentee Dr. Khashchuluun to ensure the project will survive. Follow these extraordinary doctors and their team through a year of hard work.

In Vietnam, the economy is on the rise, and so are the number of serious traffic accidents. A shortage of ambulances and paramedics results in victims dying on the streets. In response to this situation, FAS Angel, a civilian emergency rescue team, is training young volunteers to administer first aid at accident sites in Hanoi. We go on patrol with the group as they race to save lives in their mission to "never abandon anyone."

The Bantar Gebang waste site lies outside Indonesia's capital of Jakarta. Over 7,000 tons of trash is brought here each day, and its status as one of Asia's largest dumps is infamous. Weekend school BGBJ (The Seeds of Bantar Gebang) provides free classes to poor children who live in the neighborhood. Local Resa Boenard opened the school 18 years ago to provide hope for the children's futures. But when the government decides to expand the waste site, the school is ordered to leave. Follow Resa and her students over the course of a year.

In August 2022, torrential rains damaged homes across South Korea, with those living in semi-basement homes hit especially hard. In response, the Seoul government announced that to preserve safety, semi-basements would be eliminated, but they have yet to provide any effective alternatives. Additionally, low-income residents of the city find themselves unable to move due to rising rent. In this episode, we follow the plight of Seoul's semi-basement residents.

At just 5,800 strong, Tuvans are Mongolia's smallest ethnic minority. Nomads who live in the high plains of Mongolia's west, their language was outlawed under socialist rule and their existence officially denied. Five years ago, Galtaikhuu set out to support his fellow Tuvans by stoking a new industry: cheese from yak milk. Strongly influenced by his father, a novelist who wrote under earlier oppression, Galtaikhuu is also finding other ways to ensure his people survive. Discover how the first Tuvan brand cheese is shaping a new future.

The 2011 nuclear meltdown in Fukushima Prefecture forced many people to evacuate for years. While many locals have not returned even after decontamination, the number of residents moving in from other areas of the country has shown an increase. They come to towns in the region sensing new opportunities. One man opened a brewery serving unique beverages, while another came to support the community. Original residents who endured the disaster welcome these new contributions as they work together for the future of their towns.

The Philippines closed schools for two and a half years during the pandemic. After fully reopening in November 2022, it became clear that many students had fallen behind. The decline in English proficiency – the country's second official language – is particularly serious, impacting performance in science, math and other subjects that use English. During the closures, classes were held remotely, largely depending on large volumes of printed worksheets for solo study and leaving any students who got stuck without anyone to assist them. Two teachers have started holding free classes for reading and writing aimed at students struggling with English. Discover how educators in the Philippines are working to regain what was lost during the pandemic.