Asia in 3 minutes: frog’s legs a hit in China; sexy legs not so much in Vietnam, Cambodia

VietJet says sorry for bikini stunt involving South Korean footballers

Vietnamese budget airline VietJet has apologised for using scantily clad flight attendants to serve South Korea’s under-23 football team. VietJet CEO Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao apologised over the “impromptu celebration” for the young players, who secured a historic second place at the Asian Football Confederation U23 Championship under the leadership of Korean manager Park Hang-seo. This came after photos of the flight attendants were leaked on social media, where many people criticised the company for the “cheap” marketing move. “VietJet’s move was so rude, cheap, and offensive to the team, the fans and even its passengers,” Facebook user Nguyen My Linh said.

What next? After the issue came into the media spotlight, Vietnam’s Transport Minister Dinh La Thang also apologised, saying it was a “serious incident” that could have endangered flight safety. The company’s chief executive, Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao – Vietnam’s first female billionaire – also apologised but added: “This was an improvised performance by the logistics team that was not part of the company’s programme.”

Travel. Enjoy … disrespect? Malaysia’s ‘appalling’ tourism logo here to stay

A Malaysian tourism campaign logo featuring cartoon animals wearing sunglasses which was widely panned online will stay despite the criticisms, the tourism minister has said. The “Visit Malaysia 2020” logo features drawings of Malaysian animals – including an orangutan wrapping an arm around a proboscis monkey – set against garish, multi-coloured fonts with the slogan “Travel. Enjoy. Respect”. Malaysians have widely criticised the logo as dated and an eyesore. But Tourism Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz has refused to budge. “I still stick to the same logo, no change,” he said. An online petition has been launched demanding the tourism ministry stop using the design. “The design is appalling. It looks cheap and does not represent the country, the people and its history,” says the petition, which has about 10,000 signatures. “It makes a mockery of Malaysia and her rich history.”

What next? In interviews with local media, the tourism minister explained why the animals wore sunglasses. “It is to show that Malaysia is a sunny country with beautiful beaches and that we are into conservation of the environment,” he told the New Straits Times.

This one’s got legs: Travel Frog takes Chinese gaming market by storm

Gone are kings and warring warriors – the unlikely rising star of China’s gaming market is a frog. Tabi Kaeru (Japanese for Travel Frog) requires players to tap their phones to check if their pet frog has eaten, slept, or gone out to meet friends. Players are supposed to prepare their pet frog for an adventure that they, as carers, know nothing about. The frog will leave home without notice and there is nothing a player can do other than just wait – hours, days or weeks – for a postcard to arrive. The game has proved a hit with young working adults, especially women. “I’ve never played anything like this. The frog’s simple lifestyle calms my nerves,” said Yang Shuang, a female interpreter in Beijing. “I am learning to embrace a slower paced life.”