Letter From The Bureau

Letter From Hong Kong

How a 1920s fable can help us understand what went wrong in the Tai Po fire

mfletter22 - As the sun sets and the lights come on in Hong Kong on Dec 17, 2025, the dark outlines of the charred towers of Wang Fuk Court look particularly stark, brutal even, against the Tai Po skyline, as if determined to remind every passer-by of the city’s recent sorrow.
ST PHOTO: MAGDALENE FUNG

Letter From Putrajaya

This Malaysian city was meant to replace Kuala Lumpur as the capital; 30 years on, it still hasn’t

Generic of Putrajaya, Malaysia on Dec 10, 2025.

Letter From Bihar

How children from ‘Manchester of Bihar’ defy odds to study in elite Indian institutes

ngweaver - Students study at Vriksh Pathshala in Patwa Toli village in the eastern state of Bihar.
ST PHOTO: NIRMALA GANAPATHY

Letter From Manila

My local eatery’s Michelin moment: Not just prestige but brighter future for owner’s family

Morning Sun Eatery owner Elizabeth Mortera proudly holds up her Bib Gourmand plaque from the Michelin Guide Philippines.

Letter From Gumi

Once it was South Korea’s Silicon Valley. Now it is known for making Shin ramyun and viral gimbap

Little known to most, the south-eastern city of Gumi is home to ramyun maker Nongshim’s flagship factory.

Letter From Kuala Lumpur

‘Gardening keeps me on my toes’: KL’s urban farmers grow vegetables to keep fit, share skills

Urban farming has sprouted across Malaysia since the Covid-19 pandemic exposed how quickly supply disruptions and income loss can strain urban families,

Letter From Hong Kong

Think S’pore’s education system is competitive? Try Hong Kong’s pre-school admissions interview

Young children have to pass admission interviews to get into pre-schools in Hong Kong.

Letter From Chengdu

Panda-mania: Singapore fans fly to China to see Le Le, others race to catch Hua Hua

mzpanda - The crowd at the quarters of Hua Hua, China’s celebrity panda. Guards frequently remind visitors to keep their noise levels down, and move them on after 2 minutes of viewing time.

Credit: PANDA SLEEP HOTEL

Letter From Ho Chi Minh City

Born in Vietnam but Chinese at heart, young content creators promote dialects, customs

Ms Tran Ai Nhi (left) and Ms Tieu Nhou are part of a small group of young digital content creators on a mission to preserve their ancestral heritage, with help from social media.

Letter From Taipei

How an anti-theft feature in Taiwan homes became the island’s ‘biggest eyesore’

During the few decades of the Taiwan Miracle, metalworkers were given free rein to weld steel into art. The metal window cages of the time therefore featured elaborate motifs.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2025 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.