5 Things I love most about Singapore

As I type away, I’m thinking, I might sound like a Singaporean, even though I am Vietnamese (and a very proud one at that). Let me explain my deep affinity with Singapore. It’s the country I fly to the most to participate in regional conferences and meet new and old friends. My wife also spent several years in Singapore while pursuing further education. So you see, we have numerous ties with this vibrant city-state.

Many visitors hailing from both the East and West will agree that it is not difficult to fall in love with this little nation. I can possibly come up with 10 reasons very easily, but here’s my top 5:

1. Cashless society

The ease of walking around without a wallet - is a privilege that is not yet the norm for the rest of Southeast Asia. I can easily live in Singapore with just one credit card. I wish that was the case in Vietnam as well - we have a long way to go.

2. World’s best airport

Besides the recent CrowdStrike saga which hit check-in operations and businesses all over the world, travelers never had to worry about a system breakdown in Singapore. I never even had to worry about coming face to face with an angry or bored immigration officer here. Changi airport is constantly pushing the envelope on service, efficiency and entertainment - offering a world-class shopping experience, all without leaving its grounds.

Going in and out of Singapore is a breeze with its automated clearance system. I look forward to even greater efficiency with the wide application of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies to its security screening processes very soon.

3. Books - the more the merrier

As an avid reader, Singapore's rich literary scene ranks high up in my list. Kinokuniya and The Zall Bookstore are some of my favorite haunts and you’ll likely find me at the Social Science and History sections, selecting a few to furnish my personal library back home.

4. Heritage marries modernity

Singapore is young as a nation but their leaders have had the foresight to honor heritage and nature in its rapid growth era. Heritage and modernity - they both teach us so much. In my recent trip, I was fascinated by the juxtaposition of Lau Pa Sat, the city’s oldest market, and its surrounding concrete high rises.

Lau Pa Sat stands defiantly and beautifully on Raffles Quay, Singapore’s bustling business district, and is a symbol of resilience and continuity amidst modernity. In a world that constantly chases what’s vogue, I hope we never forget how we got here.

5. Forefront of legal trends

Singapore ambitiously looks outwards, even during challenging times like the pandemic.?

The government's active promotion of LegalTech innovation showcases their commitment to advancing the legal industry. The Legal Industry Technology and Innovation Roadmap is a prime example of this ambition, ensuring that Singapore remains at the forefront of legal trends.

To my Singaporeans friends, I hope my sharing helps you appreciate this miracle nation you call home even more. I know National Day is just around the corner and I would like to wish every Singaporean a Happy National Day. I look forward to more makan (eating) sessions with my older friends and some kopi sessions (coffee) with my new ones soon.

Sincerely yours,

Stephen Le, Lead Litigator

You deserve a break. Our hyper-connected world has thrown much of the world into a frenzy. So, why are we launching a monthly newsletter that risks simply adding to the clutter? My only agenda is to connect with leaders like yourself. I hope that by sharing my thoughts on timely and timeless topics, we'll be able to connect in some way over your coffee break. And who knows? Maybe we’ll even get to meet for a proper chat one day.