At the end of 2021, countries across South East Asia were optimistic about recovery prospects in 2022 as aggressive vaccination programs edged local populations closer to herd immunity levels.

There has been a widespread outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Asia. ASF is a virus that causes hemorrhagic fever in pigs, with a mortality rate approaching 100%. The disease kills pigs rapidly, typically in two to ten days, but is harmless to humans.

The HCMC Metro is a rapid transit project that has been in the works since 2001. Over the years, it has attracted international attention due to construction accidents and budgeting issues that have delayed construction of even the first line, which broke ground in 2008.