MALAYSIA

1. Rice is the staple diet in any Malay meal. It is often served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Most meals are eaten using fingers, and eating utensils are kept to a minimum.
2. There are 117 airports in Malaysia.  Only 37 of those airports have paved runways!
3. Malaysia is the world's primary exporter of natural rubber and palm oil.
4. When comparing land sizes, Malaysia is slightly larger than New Mexico. 
5. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital contains the Petronas Twin Towers, the tallest twin towers in the world.

THAILAND

1. Buddhism is the faith of 95% of the population in Thailand
2. The elephant is the national animal of Thailand.  Due to its long life and is related to the livelihood of Thai people as one of transportation.  The elephant has maintained a close link with Thai history and customs.
3. Thai cuisine is known for its balance of five fundamental flavors: hot (spicy), sour, sweet, salty, and bitter.
4. The head is considered the most revered part of the human body in Thailand, and is not to be touched during mealtime while sitting at the table.
5. Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been taken over by a European power and was established in the mid-14th century.  Thailand was known as Siam until 1939.

VIETNAM

1. The official name for Vietnam is: Socialist Republic of Vietnam
2. In rural areas, many people in Vietnam doe not celebrate birthdays.
3. The culture of Vietnam has been strongly influenced by China.
4. Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in Vietnam.  Other popular sports include: badminton, tennis, ping pong and chess.
5. Vietnamese cuisine typically uses very little oil and many vegetables.  Main dishes are often based on rice, soy sauce and fish sauce and can flavored by mint and basil.

CHINA

1. China’s red flag represents the blood of soldiers who were lost in wars; the 4 small stars represent the four traditional classes: workers, peasants, petty bourgeoisie and the patriotic capitalists.
2. Even though China is often represented by outsiders with a mystical dragon, this is actually rare in China or Taiwan.  The dragon represents monarchy and aggression.  The panda is the preferred representation of a more communistic and peaceful country.
3. China is already the most used language in the world.
4. Chinese characters date back to 4,500 years ago.
5. If you find an uneven pair of chopsticks it is said that you will miss a boat, train, or plane!

JAPAN

1. A crane is the symbol of good luck and longevity, as used often in origami.
2. Japan has one of the highest life expectancies in the world at 81.25 years.
3. Japan is the 2nd largest economy in the world in terms of GDP.
4. Kimono, a T-shaped straight lined robe, actually translates to “something worn.”
5. Men, women, and children wear kimono.

KOREA

1. One peculiarity of Korean culture is that individuals are regarded as one year old when they are born, and their age increments on New Year's Day rather than on the anniversary of their birthday.
2. Diet is based largely on rice, vegetables, meat and tofu.  Korean cuisine is said to be a health food.
3. Some bad manners include blowing one's nose at the table and picking up chopstick or spoon before the oldest person starts the meal.
4. Koreans show high respects for someone who is older than them. There is a special way of saying a phrase to older people as you were to say a phrase to your friends.
5. Korean women have the lowest cancer rate in the world.

TAIWAN

1. Taiwanese cuisine itself is often associated with influences from mid to southern provinces of China.
2. Taiwan's best-known snacks are present in the night markets, where street vendors sell a variety of different foods, from finger foods, drinks, sweets, to sit-down dishes.
3. Taipei City hosts an “International Dragon Boat Race” together with a series of sports events each year.
4. It is customary for locals to conduct solemn worship rituals on Dragon Boat Festival.
5. The “Wei-Ya” party (year-end celebration) is an essential custom in Taiwan. Since it is an occasion on which companies host dinner parties to show appreciation for employee’s hard work during the past year with draw prize draw and bonuses as the highlights of the event.