ARTICLES

23 Sep 2026

The Perils of Vietnam’s Land-led Growth

Nguyen Khac Giang

Vietnam is using land to pay for growth. This Long Read highlights the danger that land finance is hardening into a self-reinforcing growth model, arguing that Vietnam must make land finance more transparent, more competitive and less central to the economy’s balance sheet.

12 Jun 2026

How Southeast Asians Experience Chinese-Built Infrastructure

Eugene R.L. Tan|Hoang Thi Ha

This Long Read reports the findings of an online survey on perceptions of Chinese-built infrastructure in Southeast Asia. It reflects both the tangible benefits of these projects and broader considerations shaping regional views of China as an infrastructure development partner.

Cambodia China Indonesia Infrastructure Laos Survey Vietnam

Converge ICT Solutions, Inc. announced the landing of the trans-pacific Bifrost cable system in Davao, Philippines. Bifrost is the world’s first subsea cable system directly linking Singapore to the west coast of US via Indonesia. (Photo from Pampanga News Now / Facebook)

20 May 2026

Undersea Cable Risks: Lessons for Southeast Asia

Mae Chow

The possibility of Iran targeting undersea cables in the Middle East has implications for Southeast Asia. The region should adopt strategies to maintain connectivity.

ASEAN Connectivity Infrastructure Southeast Asia

13 Feb 2026

Infrastructure as Strategy: How Vietnam Rewires Indochina through Ports and Roads

Hoang Thi Ha

Vietnam is often portrayed as losing influence in Laos and Cambodia to China. But the construction of key infrastructure gives Hanoi some measure of agency.

Cambodia-Vietnam Relations Infrastructure Vietnam

13 Oct 2025

The Collapsed Pesantren Building in East Java is a Wake-up Call for Indonesia

A'an Suryana

Without a shift in mindset and stricter enforcement of existing regulations, tragedies like the recent school building collapse in East Java are bound to recur.

Indonesia Infrastructure

5 Jun 2025

Vietnam’s Public Infrastructure Drive: More Haste, Less Speed?

Le Hong Hiep

Vietnam has an ambitious plan for the building of infrastructure. But it needs to be mindful of significant risks such as corruption and subpar construction quality.

Infrastructure Vietnam Vietnamese Economy

10 Jan 2025

A Possible Blueprint for ASEAN’s 2025 Climate Finance Strategy

Kevin Zongzhe Li

The region has a chance to rely on tools like blended finance to power its green transition. The time to act, however, is running out.

Energy Finance Infrastructure Southeast Asia

9 Jan 2023

Malaysia Cuts ECRL Costs, but Can the Mega Railway Project Pay?

Tham Siew Yean

The unity government has shaved the cost of the debt-funded project. But of greater concern is whether the ECRL will generate enough revenue for Malaysia to pay back the loan. The ECRL’s commercial viability also lacks public disclosure.

Infrastructure Malaysia transport

8 Nov 2022

Easy Highway, Troubled City: How China Wins and Loses Cambodians’ Hearts

Chanrith Ngin

Two China-driven projects show striking contrasts. The newly opened Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway has been well-received by Cambodians. But grand plans for Sihanoukville to be an investment hub and “multi-purpose” city have instead seen Chinese businesses crowding out locals, a boom-bust cycle in construction and illicit trades.

Belt and Road Initiative Cambodia China Infrastructure

16 Sep 2022

Chinese ‘Debt Traps’ in Southeast Asia: What the Data Say

Darren Cheong

This Long Read argues that while the terms of China’s aid and loans to Southeast Asian countries are less favourable compared to those of the World Bank, the weight of the evidence does not lend credence to the existence of a Chinese “debt trap” strategy in the region.

Belt and Road Initiative China China-Southeast Asia relations Economic Development Infrastructure