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The 2025 Miss Hong Kong pageant is being filmed in Malaysia for the first time, with Penang serving as the scenic host. Fourteen finalists, dressed in white, appeared at George Town's City Hall on Aug. 1 and will film at iconic Penang locations, from coastal views to cultural landmarks.

The project is a collaboration between the Penang State Government and Hong Kong broadcaster TVB, which airs the pageant weekly to over 5.1 million Hong Kong viewers. Officials say the event will boost Penang's global visibility as a filming and tourism destination, highlighting its landscapes, heritage, and modern appeal.

First held in 1946 and acquired by TVB in 1973, Miss Hong Kong is one of the world's longest-running beauty contests.

Vietnam has issued Decree 221 (Aug. 8) granting temporary visa exemptions to select foreigners deemed crucial for socio-economic development. Six main categories qualify:

1. High-ranking official guests – invited by leaders such as the Party General Secretary, President, Prime Minister, or provincial chiefs.

2. Elite professionals – scholars, experts, scientists, professors, research institute members, chief engineers, and top-tier digital technology specialists, especially those with prestigious international awards.

3. Business leaders – investors and executives from companies on reputable lists of the world's top 100 firms by market capitalization.

4. Cultural & sports figures – artists, athletes, and influencers with positive public impact, including footballers in the global top 100 invited by Vietnamese clubs.

5. Honorary consuls – and approved guests from research institutions, universities, and large enterprises.

6. Other approved individuals – as determined by the Minister of Public Security for foreign affairs or socio-economic purposes.

Visa exemptions will be valid for up to five years (ending at least 30 days before passport expiry) and issued either as electronic or chip-embedded hard cards, both legally equivalent.

The policy follows PM Pham Minh Chinh's April 2025 directive to expand visa-free access for influential global visitors.

Malaysian singer Mohd Shah Rosli, known as Dino from 1990s hip-hop group Nico G, is recovering from a stroke he suffered three weeks ago after eating seven durians in one day. The 50-year-old said he indulged heavily during durian season and suspects his diet, along with his long-term smoking habit, contributed to the incident.

The stroke occurred the morning after his durian binge, leaving him numb on his right side and unable to move or speak clearly. Medical tests showed blocked arteries, leading to two weeks in the hospital. He is now on high blood pressure medication, blood thinners, and anticoagulants, and has lost use of his right hand and leg.

Currently on medical leave from his sales job, Dino is undergoing daily exercise to aid recovery and has vowed to improve his diet and quit smoking. His employer has given him RM500 (US$117.9) in financial help, though he says it is far from sufficient.

Phu Quoc, ranked the world's second most beautiful island by Travel + Leisure in 2024, is among Vietnam's top five destinations for repeat visitors, alongside Da Nang, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hanoi, according to Agoda's 2025 booking data.

Beloved for its long beaches, relaxed vibe, and upscale resorts, Phu Quoc welcomed 5.2 million visitors in the first seven months of 2025, up 31.8% year-over-year. Foreign arrivals reached nearly 980,000, a 74% increase. Even in the May–July low season, it drew over 350,000 international travelers—an average monthly rise of about 80% from 2024.

Key growth markets include South Korea, China, India, and Europe, with many visitors returning for the island's pristine coastline and modern infrastructure. Phu Quoc has earned multiple travel honors, most recently placing third on Travel + Leisure's 2025 list of the Asia-Pacific's 10 best islands, behind only Bali and Koh Samui.

Nguyen Anh Thu, a 44-year-old Vietnamese-American pilot, died on July 30 in Indiana when her plane crashed shortly after takeoff during her second solo journey around the world. Born in 1981 in Tuy Hoa, Phu Yen Province, she moved to the U.S. in 1993. Despite her father's initial disapproval, she pursued her dream of flying, excelling in math, earning a full scholarship to Purdue University, and later obtaining a master's in aerospace engineering from Purdue and a PhD from Georgia Tech.

Thu faced severe financial struggles during her training, often tutoring 20 hours for a single hour of flight lessons and even sleeping in her car. She became the first Vietnamese woman to fly solo around the world in 2024, visiting 25 countries across four continents in a single-engine aircraft. Her career included over 4,000 flight hours, work as a Boeing 767 commercial pilot, and recognition as the 2017 Outstanding Flight Instructor by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

In 2018, she founded the nonprofit Asian Women in Aerospace and Aviation to inspire and mentor future generations, especially Asian women. Her final flight was intended to recreate her historic journey and inspire young female pilots and engineers. The organization she founded plans to honor her legacy with scholarships and continued mentorship programs.