Southeast Asia

Bangkok – October 21, 2026 -- QURO Bangkok Riverside, a 62-room hotel on the Chao Phraya River, has opened as the first Unscripted by Hyatt property in Thailand, and World of Hyatt members can earn double points on new bookings.

The former StandardX moves into Bang Lamphu under a new name

The hotel was previously The StandardX, Bangkok Phra Arthit. It sits on Phra Arthit Road in Bangkok's historic Bang Lamphu neighborhood, beside Phra Arthit Pier. Khao San Road, the National Museum, the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun are all within easy reach.

General Manager Sunshine Jeamjirarut said the name comes from the word "Curate." She described the concept as a mix of art, immersive local experiences and an unhurried approach to service.

Rooms come with private balconies and neighborhood-inspired art

All 62 rooms have private balconies. Some offer riverfront or neighborhood views.

Bangkok – October 15, 2026 -- Travelers can watch illuminated boats float down the Mekong in Nakhon Phanom from 16 to 27 October, with the main procession on 26 October marking the end of Buddhist Lent. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is promoting the 2026 Nakhon Phanom Illuminated Boat Procession to wider international audiences.

The main procession starts at 18.00 on 26 October

A TAT Nakhon Phanom Office showcase boat leads the parade, followed by 12 illuminated boats representing the province's 12 districts. The district boats compete in beauty and creativity categories for a royal trophy, and each enters the Mekong at 20-minute intervals. A non-competitive Nakhon Phanom University showcase boat joins at 20.00, and the final district entry is scheduled for 22.20.

Kuala Lumpur – October 12, 2026 -- The HONOR X9e Pro goes on sale in Malaysia at RM1,899 for the 256GB model and RM2,399 for the 512GB version, with an 11,000mAh battery and a 3-metre drop rating. The launch follows an ASEAN Records recognition for the HONOR X9 Series as the top-selling mid-range smartphone series for three consecutive years.

The X9 Series hit a 77% peak share in Malaysia

ASEAN Records certified the achievement for the RM1,450–RM1,700 segment, covering February 2023 to March 2026. According to HONOR, the series reached a peak market share of 77% in February 2026, up from 56%. The run spans several generations, starting with the HONOR X9 in Malaysia in 2022 and continuing through the X9a, X9b, X9c and X9d.

Hoi An – September 30, 2026 -- Hotel Royal Hoi An – The Legacy By The River has been named Vietnam's Leading Riverfront Hotel 2026 at the World Travel Awards 2026.

The hotel sits along the Thu Bon River in the heart of Hoi An

The property was recognised for its riverside setting, distinctive sense of place and commitment to creating meaningful guest experiences in the central Vietnamese destination. Art-inspired interiors and design details throughout the hotel connect directly to Hoi An's cultural heritage.

The hotel's design draws on a real Vietnam-Japan love story

The property's narrative is built around the historic relationship between Vietnam and Japan, told through the story of Vietnamese Princess Ngoc Hoa and Japanese merchant Sotaro Araki. This heritage theme runs through the hotel's history, art and architecture.

Los Angeles – September 22, 2026 -- "Chrysalis," a U.S.-Vietnam family drama inspired by artist Sir Daniel K. Winn's childhood, opened in Vietnam on Sept. 11 to positive reviews from critics and audiences ahead of its planned April 2027 U.S. premiere, presented by the Beverly Hills Film Festival.

Vietnamese critics praised the film's restrained, emotional performances

ELLE Vietnam highlighted the conviction of the grandmother-grandson dynamic between veteran actress Kieu Chinh and young performer Uy Nhan. Harper's Bazaar Vietnam wrote that the film's first theatrical screening left a lasting impression through its understated treatment of family, roots and intergenerational memory.

The film scored an 8.2 average from 211 ticket-holder reviews during its opening week

Ratings came from MoMo, a Vietnamese ticketing platform. A Sept. 11 Kenh14 report, citing Box Office Vietnam data, placed the film at No. 4 in a daily box-office snapshot.