Singapore’s government knew it from the start. To control the coronavirus outbreak, they needed speedy action more than anything else. And immediately after the number of cases started jumping in China, the country imposed border controls, aggressive tracing and testing, and a clear public communications strategy. But Singapore didn’t stop there. Anticipating a second wave of the outbreak, its leaders followed strict social distancing and imposed travel restrictions, getting the chaos under control.

2. Overreact

With its long border with China and a population of 97 million, Vietnam was particularly vulnerable to the pandemic. But early on, the Vietnamese realized something: Overreaction is key to halting the virus. From early January, the island nation implemented “drastic measures” — travel restrictions, intrusive monitoring at borders, increased health checkups, shuttered schools from January to May. And it emerged victorious. So far, the country has reported only 438 coronavirus cases and not a single death.

3. Trace, Isolate, Test

That’s the mantra the World Health Organization laid out for all nations early in the pandemic, and Laos, to Vietnam’s west, took it to heart. It shut down borders early and proactively traced all contacts of patients before numbers could become unmanageable. It won global plaudits after declaring itself coronavirus-free in June. When a South Korean traveler who arrived in the country tested positive last week, Laos placed all other passengers on the patient’s flight in quarantine.

4. Funeral Fee

Southeast Asia’s poorest nation, Cambodia needs tourists visiting its iconic temples and palaces. But it doesn’t have the resources to tackle a fast-spreading outbreak. So it has come up with a unique — almost macabre — policy requiring tourists to deposit $3,000 up front in potential health expenses, including funeral costs, if they want to visit the country.

But not all has been well and good for Southeast Asian countries. In Myanmar, those who make your favorite fast-fashion clothing have been struggling to stay afloat. While the country has only 350 recorded coronavirus cases and six deaths so far, workers stitching Mango and Zara clothes are raising concerns that owners are using the pandemic-fueled global recession to bust unions.

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You might know Thai influencer Weeraya Sukaram — who goes by the name Nnevvy on Twitter — as just a fashion star. But she is not afraid to speak her mind. In fact, she is the reason behind a Twitter war that led to the creation of #MilkTeaAlliance. What had she done? Retweeted a Thai-language post asking why China would not let foreigners investigate whether or not the coronavirus had originated in a Chinese lab and implied on Instagram that Taiwan isn’t a part of China.

Sudirman Talib vividly remembers the day when he was injured in a suicide bombing orchestrated by the Southeast Asian terrorist cell Jemaah Islamiyah at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta. He was really angry. But he soon realized anger was not going to lead him anywhere. So he turned to empathy and joined other survivors of the blast and the Kuningan attacks to form Yayasan Penyintas Indonesia, or Survivors Foundation Indonesia, a group that draws on their experiences to prevent at-risk schoolchildren from becoming radicalized.

Vartey Ganiva is giving punk a new name in Cambodia. Instead of churning out one love song after another, she speaks of the realities of Cambodian life, such as the typical frustration faced by women in the country — like a lazy husband who spends money on drugs and alcohol.

At 5-foot-6 and 146 pounds, Nguyen Cong Phuong is quite rightly called “Messi Vietnam” — his tricky playing style will surely remind you of the Argentine superstar even though his salary is but a tiny fraction of Messi’s. Known for his speed and skill, Cong Phuong has a dream. The 25-year-old has helped Vietnam rise from No. 147 in the world in 2015 to No. 94 now, per FIFA rankings, and tops in the region.

1. Flexing Pandemic Muscles

The pandemic has presented quite the opportunity for authoritarian regimes. In Cambodia, Prime Minister Hun Sen’s government exploited COVID-19 to use “ fake news” laws to jail political opponents and others questioning the government. In the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte has played it smart and granted himself special temporary power — besides, of course, jailing political opponents. Critics believe he is just laying the groundwork for declaring martial law. In Thailand, meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha is using the pandemic to repress freedom of expression through arbitrary legal mechanisms.

2. Reneging on the Deal

Over the last two decades, the feud between “reformasi” leader Anwar Ibrahim and Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has formed the core of Malaysian politics. They laid down their swords in a 2018 deal to take turns in charge … but now Anwar realizes he’s been duped. Rather than hand over power, Mahathir, 95, abruptly resigned his post and has indicated he will form a new party to retake the prime minister’s spot — effectively voiding the deal. As a cherry on top, ex-PM Najib Razak was found guilty Tuesday of siphoning $4.5 billion from a government investment fund ... and he remains in Parliament.

What can be a bigger threat for a community than ISIS, right? Well, for the LGBTQ community in the Philippines, an ISIS siege was, in fact, a blessing in disguise. Why? The community faces targeted attacks as part of a wider trend of authoritarian regimes lashing out against traditionally moderate Muslim influences in Southeast Asia. “They kill us for being gay there,” a trans woman told OZY in 2018. Displaced from their homes when ISIS controlled the region of Marawi, they found respite from that persecution in evacuation centers. Now forced to return home following the defeat of ISIS, the community is struggling to find new ways to fight the current repressive political climate. 

In Cambodia, be sure not to burn someone’s image. It’s not just a sign of disrespect; it is also seen as a malicious curse. It’s one of the many methods of spiritual warfare — one that communities and activists in the country, faced with displacement in the name of development, are resorting to in an attempt to unnerve politicians and others in power. And why shouldn’t they? It’s full of rituals that both sides take seriously — even the prime minister.

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You might be proud of Canada or Uruguay for legalizing marijuana. But turn your attention toward Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, which have long had some of the world’s harshest drug laws and are taking steps to decriminalize cannabis use. Thailand allowed medical use in 2018, and on Monday the Thai government, in an effort to set a treatment target of over 15,000 people, allowed 152 hospitals to expand the cultivation of cannabis for medical use.

COVID-19 isn’t the only outbreak that’s worrying Southeast Asia. Scientists in the region have also been taking a grassroots approach to fighting a new drug-resistant form of P. falciparum, the deadliest malaria parasite that emerged in the region in 2015 — despite lack of political will and potential loss of funding amid constant migration that makes the job harder.

Farmers in Southeast Asia’s opium-growing Golden Triangle are looking to kick their drug habits — with a little help from coffee. And the shift has broader social and health implications for these countries.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has spent his time in office fighting widespread wildfires with innovative policies such as creating a peatland restoration agency, fining companies and individuals responsible for fires, extending a deforestation moratorium and strengthening firefighting capabilities — reducing hot spots by a third from 2016 to 2017. There are lessons here for a global problem that’s only accelerating.

5. Politically Sound

Since the postwar reunification, nhac do has been the only kind of music permitted by Vietnamese authorities. That’s no longer the case. In recent years, Vietnam has slowly opened up to international influences, especially hip-hop with its own local twist. Looks like they’re here to stay — and soar — and V-pop prince Song Tung M-TP is making that clear. This month, he made history as the first Vietnamese artist and second in Southeast Asia to enter the Billboard Social 50, with his new song “Co Chac Yeu La Day,” racking up more than 57 million views on YouTube.

1. Gili Islands, Indonesia

The archipelago consisting of Gili Trawangan, Gili Air and Gili Meno is a paradise that was lost in the 2018 earthquake — and rebuilt by tourists, expats and locals. With their hammer tattoos for solidarity, Gili lovers are one of the main reasons you should visit. Besides, the sun, sand and sea are obviously a treat.

2. Kravanh Mountains, Cambodia

You might never have heard of it. Or neglected it even if you have. But leave Siem Reap behind for the Cardamom Mountains in southwest Cambodia if your soul is seeking tranquility.

3. Atauro Island, Timor-Leste

Overlooked and underrated, Atauro Island is the place to be if you want to explore flora and fauna among the reefs in the Ombai and Wetar Straits. If you’re like me, you’ll get to spot a shark or two while you play with dugongs, turtles, colorful corals and small fish.

4. Nong Khiaw, Laos

Once you’ve had your fill of Luang Prabang, the temple-strewn gem of the Mekong that is Laos’ top tourist town, take a bus four hours north to the stunning limestone karsts of Nong Khiaw. There’s great hiking, history and river-boating. Or just sit back with a drink and marvel at the beauty and calm.

5. Tegalalang Rice Terraces, Bali

If you think Bali is all about soft white beaches, corals and snorkeling, you’re grossly mistaken. In fact, if you enter Bali and don’t visit the lush, green, terraced rice fields in the province of Ubud, you’ll regret it for life.

6. Phi Phi Islands, Thailand

There are no cars in Phi Phi — just simple tracks you walk as you enjoy a part of a marine national park southwest of Krabi. While the larger Phi Phi island is uninhabited, it offers limestone cliffs, fine-sand beaches and hidden coves.