TEAM MALAYSIA WINS BRONZE AT THE BIGGEST PASTRY COMPETITION IN THE WORLD

• Debic Celebrates Team Malaysia's Historic Bronze Win at Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie 2025 as a Proud Global Supporter and Co-Sponsor.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, March 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Team Malaysia secured the Bronze medal after competing against 18 of the globe's top pastry teams at The Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie 2025. The competition has once again set the global stage for pastry innovation and artistry, challenging the world's best pastry chefs to push the boundaries of creativity, technique and craftsmanship.  The Malaysian chefs impressed the esteemed panel of judges with their intricate and innovative pastry creations inspired by the theme 'National Heritage'. 

The 2025 Bronze Medal-winning team consists of Chef Loi Ming Ai, team coach, Chef Foo Yi Qing, sugar candidate, Chef Tyler Tan, ice candidate and Chef Fong Kah Mun, chocolate candidate. Their award-winning masterpiece was executed with remarkable precision and artistry over two intense days of competition. The team's ability to blend technical skill with storytelling through pastry set them apart on the global stage.

Mr. Majid Zaman, Business Development Director, QSR Asia & Horeca & Bakery Philippines, FrieslandCampina Professional, shared, "Winning Bronze at the Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie 2025 is a huge achievement, and we couldn't be prouder of Team Malaysia who is sponsored by Debic and was also coached by Debic's brand ambassador, Chef Loi Ming Ai. Competing at this level takes extraordinary skill, dedication, and creativity, and they've shown the world what Malaysian pastry talent is all about. At FrieslandCampina Professional, we understand the demands of top chefs, bakers, and pastry professionals—consistency, quality, and reliability matter. That's why Debic is crafted specifically for professionals, helping them bring their ideas to life with ease and confidence. This win is not just a moment of pride for the team but for Malaysia's entire pastry industry, and we're excited to continue supporting chefs as they push the boundaries of excellence."

Speaking on behalf of the team, Coach Chef Loi Ming Ai expressed their pride in representing Malaysia on the world stage, "Standing among the top three teams in the world is an incredible honour. Competing at this level requires precision, creativity, and perseverance, and we are proud to have showcased Malaysia's rich heritage through our creations. This achievement is not just for us—it is for the entire Malaysian pastry community, and we hope it inspires future generations to aim even higher."

For over 20 years, Debic, the 100-year-old premium European dairy brand crafted for professional hands, has been a passionate global supporter of this prestigious competition. As a proud sponsor of Team Malaysia 2025, Debic is thrilled to celebrate the team's remarkable achievement—winning the Bronze Medal and securing Malaysia's place among the top three pastry teams in the world. 

As Debic's brand ambassador, Chef Loi Ming Ai has showcased his commitment to supporting pastry professionals in Malaysia and beyond. His experience and expertise also reflect Debic's values of quality, innovation, and reliability. As Team Malaysia's sponsor, Debic continues to provide chefs with high-quality dairy solutions to enhance their work and compete at the highest level.

Building on Malaysia's strong legacy at the Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie, this year's team aimed to match the nation's success in 2019, when Malaysia took home the championship title with its groundbreaking creations. That historic victory became a moment of national pride, with Chef Otto Tay and Chef Loi Ming Ai as Debic's brand ambassadors—further reinforcing its dedication to supporting and elevating pastry excellence in Malaysia.

About FrieslandCampina

Every day, FrieslandCampina provides millions of consumers all over the world with food that is rich in  valuable nutrients. With annual revenue of 12.9 billion euros, FrieslandCampina is one of the world's five  largest dairy companies, supplying consumer and professional products, as well as ingredients and half-finished  products to the food industry and the pharmaceutical sector around the world. FrieslandCampina has offices  in 36 countries and its products are available in more than 100 countries. The Company  is fully owned by Zuivelcoöperatie FrieslandCampina U.A, with 14,183 member dairy farmers in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium—making it one of the world's largest dairy cooperatives. For more information, please visit: www.frieslandcampina.com

About FrieslandCampina Professional

FrieslandCampina Professional is a division of FrieslandCampina that provides dairy and dairy alternatives-based offerings for chefs and food professionals. FrieslandCampina Professional draws from their in-depth market understanding and collaborative partnerships to provide solutions dedicated to nourishing food heroes. The offerings from FrieslandCampina Professional simplify the lives of food professionals through innovative products and committed partnerships for shared success.

About Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad

Incorporated in 1963, Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad (DLMI) is a leading dairy company in Malaysia. It is owned by one of the largest dairy cooperative companies in the world, FrieslandCampina, a Dutch multinational dairy company. DLMI was the first milk company to be listed on Bursa Malaysia in 1968, and the first to introduce Formulated Milk Powder for Children in Malaysia in 1988.

Staying true to our purpose of Nourishing Our Planet and People in Every Stage of Life, DLMI manufactures and sells a wide range of quality dairy products for the home and export market. Through a unique collaboration between FrieslandCampina and four international research teams/universities, we initiated the South East Asian Nutrition Surveys (SEANUTS) study in 2009, involving four countries – Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand. SEANUTS is the largest and most extensive nutrition and health study ever done in South-East Asia, wherein 16,744 children up to 12 years old were surveyed over a four-year period. The follow-up SEANUTS II was conducted between 2019 – 2021 involving 14,000 children in the four countries. More information can be found at www.dutchlady.com.my 

About Debic
Debic is a professional dairy brand under FrieslandCampina Professional. With over 100 years of dairy expertise, Debic provides chefs, pastry chefs, and other food professionals with a solid base of premium European dairy products. With a range of high-quality cream, butter, and dessert products, Debic offerings are made for professionals, enriching them with the best in quality, convenience, and inspiration.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, March 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Team Malaysia secured the Bronze medal after competing against 18 of the globe's top pastry teams at The Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie 2025. The competition has once again set the global stage for pastry innovation and artistry, challenging the world's best pastry chefs to push the boundaries of creativity, technique and craftsmanship.  The Malaysian chefs impressed the esteemed panel of judges with their intricate and innovative pastry creations inspired by the theme 'National Heritage'. 

The 2025 Bronze Medal-winning team consists of Chef Loi Ming Ai, team coach, Chef Foo Yi Qing, sugar candidate, Chef Tyler Tan, ice candidate and Chef Fong Kah Mun, chocolate candidate. Their award-winning masterpiece was executed with remarkable precision and artistry over two intense days of competition. The team's ability to blend technical skill with storytelling through pastry set them apart on the global stage.

Mr. Majid Zaman, Business Development Director, QSR Asia & Horeca & Bakery Philippines, FrieslandCampina Professional, shared, "Winning Bronze at the Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie 2025 is a huge achievement, and we couldn't be prouder of Team Malaysia who is sponsored by Debic and was also coached by Debic's brand ambassador, Chef Loi Ming Ai. Competing at this level takes extraordinary skill, dedication, and creativity, and they've shown the world what Malaysian pastry talent is all about. At FrieslandCampina Professional, we understand the demands of top chefs, bakers, and pastry professionals—consistency, quality, and reliability matter. That's why Debic is crafted specifically for professionals, helping them bring their ideas to life with ease and confidence. This win is not just a moment of pride for the team but for Malaysia's entire pastry industry, and we're excited to continue supporting chefs as they push the boundaries of excellence."

Speaking on behalf of the team, Coach Chef Loi Ming Ai expressed their pride in representing Malaysia on the world stage, "Standing among the top three teams in the world is an incredible honour. Competing at this level requires precision, creativity, and perseverance, and we are proud to have showcased Malaysia's rich heritage through our creations. This achievement is not just for us—it is for the entire Malaysian pastry community, and we hope it inspires future generations to aim even higher."

For over 20 years, Debic, the 100-year-old premium European dairy brand crafted for professional hands, has been a passionate global supporter of this prestigious competition. As a proud sponsor of Team Malaysia 2025, Debic is thrilled to celebrate the team's remarkable achievement—winning the Bronze Medal and securing Malaysia's place among the top three pastry teams in the world. 

As Debic's brand ambassador, Chef Loi Ming Ai has showcased his commitment to supporting pastry professionals in Malaysia and beyond. His experience and expertise also reflect Debic's values of quality, innovation, and reliability. As Team Malaysia's sponsor, Debic continues to provide chefs with high-quality dairy solutions to enhance their work and compete at the highest level.

Building on Malaysia's strong legacy at the Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie, this year's team aimed to match the nation's success in 2019, when Malaysia took home the championship title with its groundbreaking creations. That historic victory became a moment of national pride, with Chef Otto Tay and Chef Loi Ming Ai as Debic's brand ambassadors—further reinforcing its dedication to supporting and elevating pastry excellence in Malaysia.

About FrieslandCampina

Every day, FrieslandCampina provides millions of consumers all over the world with food that is rich in  valuable nutrients. With annual revenue of 12.9 billion euros, FrieslandCampina is one of the world's five  largest dairy companies, supplying consumer and professional products, as well as ingredients and half-finished  products to the food industry and the pharmaceutical sector around the world. FrieslandCampina has offices  in 36 countries and its products are available in more than 100 countries. The Company  is fully owned by Zuivelcoöperatie FrieslandCampina U.A, with 14,183 member dairy farmers in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium—making it one of the world's largest dairy cooperatives. For more information, please visit: www.frieslandcampina.com

About FrieslandCampina Professional

FrieslandCampina Professional is a division of FrieslandCampina that provides dairy and dairy alternatives-based offerings for chefs and food professionals. FrieslandCampina Professional draws from their in-depth market understanding and collaborative partnerships to provide solutions dedicated to nourishing food heroes. The offerings from FrieslandCampina Professional simplify the lives of food professionals through innovative products and committed partnerships for shared success.

About Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad

Incorporated in 1963, Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad (DLMI) is a leading dairy company in Malaysia. It is owned by one of the largest dairy cooperative companies in the world, FrieslandCampina, a Dutch multinational dairy company. DLMI was the first milk company to be listed on Bursa Malaysia in 1968, and the first to introduce Formulated Milk Powder for Children in Malaysia in 1988.

Staying true to our purpose of Nourishing Our Planet and People in Every Stage of Life, DLMI manufactures and sells a wide range of quality dairy products for the home and export market. Through a unique collaboration between FrieslandCampina and four international research teams/universities, we initiated the South East Asian Nutrition Surveys (SEANUTS) study in 2009, involving four countries – Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand. SEANUTS is the largest and most extensive nutrition and health study ever done in South-East Asia, wherein 16,744 children up to 12 years old were surveyed over a four-year period. The follow-up SEANUTS II was conducted between 2019 – 2021 involving 14,000 children in the four countries. More information can be found at www.dutchlady.com.my 

About Debic
Debic is a professional dairy brand under FrieslandCampina Professional. With over 100 years of dairy expertise, Debic provides chefs, pastry chefs, and other food professionals with a solid base of premium European dairy products. With a range of high-quality cream, butter, and dessert products, Debic offerings are made for professionals, enriching them with the best in quality, convenience, and inspiration.

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

TEAM MALAYSIA WINS BRONZE AT THE BIGGEST PASTRY COMPETITION IN THE WORLD

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital travel platform Agoda reveals that Vietnam is becoming an increasingly popular year-end travel choice for families in the region and beyond. Based on searches made between September and November 2025 for stays during December 2025 and January 2026, Agoda recorded a 30% increase in family travel interest to Vietnam compared with the same period the previous year.

Agoda data shows that Vietnam is attracting more international families than ever this winter holiday season. South Koreans take the lead as the top market interested in traveling to Vietnam in December and January, with families from India, Singapore, Australia, and Malaysia rounding out the top five. Notably, Agoda reported that Indian families showcased the highest growth in travel interest to Vietnam during this period, with a 186% increase in searches. Malaysians also, are expressing strong growth in interest, with a 74% increase in searches, highlighting Vietnam's appeal as a family destination in Southeast Asia and beyond.

Families are choosing Vietnam for its storied culture and cuisine, diverse landscapes, and abundance of family-friendly resorts and attractions.

Phu Quoc Island leads as the most sought-after destination among international family travelers with a 47% increase in searches, popular for its sandy beaches, calm waters, and nature parks ideal for multi-generation vacations. Da Nang follows with 42% growth in travel interest, noted for its beaches, soft adventure activities, and access to Ba Na Hills theme park. Nha Trang comes in third place, remaining a favorite for its long coastline, family-oriented resorts, and island experiences. In fourth place, Ho Chi Minh City appeals with its vibrant food scene, entertainment complexes, and day trips to the Mekong Delta. In the north, Hanoi continues to draw families with its cultural landmarks, museums, and festive atmosphere, rounding out the top five most family-friendly year-end destinations in Vietnam.

Meanwhile, although Vietnamese families traditionally travel less internationally at the end of the year – typically preferring to wait for the Lunar New Year - China is becoming a noticeable exception. Among the top 20 outbound destinations preferred by Vietnamese families during the December-January period, searches for Shanghai increased 58%, while Beijing increased 59%. This shift is supported by the launch of new direct routes between Hanoi and selected Chinese cities earlier this year, making end-of-year overseas trips more accessible than ever.

Vu Ngoc Lam, Country Director at Agoda, said: "It is wonderful to see Vietnam increasingly chosen as an end-of-year holiday destination for families from across Asia and beyond. Agoda's data shows that travelers are recognizing Vietnam's family-friendly appeal, which further strengthen its position on the global travel map. As more families plan their festive-season or year-end getaways, we are delighted to support them through Agoda's simple, intuitive platform and our wide range of stays, flights, and activities."

With over 6 million properties, 130,000 flight routes, and 300,000 activities, all bookable in one seamless itinerary, Agoda helps families plan memorable year-end holidays, whether they choose a peaceful beach break, a cultural city escape, or an international exploration to mark the close of the year.

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital travel platform Agoda reveals that Vietnam is becoming an increasingly popular year-end travel choice for families in the region and beyond. Based on searches made between September and November 2025 for stays during December 2025 and January 2026, Agoda recorded a 30% increase in family travel interest to Vietnam compared with the same period the previous year.

Agoda data shows that Vietnam is attracting more international families than ever this winter holiday season. South Koreans take the lead as the top market interested in traveling to Vietnam in December and January, with families from India, Singapore, Australia, and Malaysia rounding out the top five. Notably, Agoda reported that Indian families showcased the highest growth in travel interest to Vietnam during this period, with a 186% increase in searches. Malaysians also, are expressing strong growth in interest, with a 74% increase in searches, highlighting Vietnam's appeal as a family destination in Southeast Asia and beyond.

Families are choosing Vietnam for its storied culture and cuisine, diverse landscapes, and abundance of family-friendly resorts and attractions.

Phu Quoc Island leads as the most sought-after destination among international family travelers with a 47% increase in searches, popular for its sandy beaches, calm waters, and nature parks ideal for multi-generation vacations. Da Nang follows with 42% growth in travel interest, noted for its beaches, soft adventure activities, and access to Ba Na Hills theme park. Nha Trang comes in third place, remaining a favorite for its long coastline, family-oriented resorts, and island experiences. In fourth place, Ho Chi Minh City appeals with its vibrant food scene, entertainment complexes, and day trips to the Mekong Delta. In the north, Hanoi continues to draw families with its cultural landmarks, museums, and festive atmosphere, rounding out the top five most family-friendly year-end destinations in Vietnam.

Meanwhile, although Vietnamese families traditionally travel less internationally at the end of the year – typically preferring to wait for the Lunar New Year - China is becoming a noticeable exception. Among the top 20 outbound destinations preferred by Vietnamese families during the December-January period, searches for Shanghai increased 58%, while Beijing increased 59%. This shift is supported by the launch of new direct routes between Hanoi and selected Chinese cities earlier this year, making end-of-year overseas trips more accessible than ever.

Vu Ngoc Lam, Country Director at Agoda, said: "It is wonderful to see Vietnam increasingly chosen as an end-of-year holiday destination for families from across Asia and beyond. Agoda's data shows that travelers are recognizing Vietnam's family-friendly appeal, which further strengthen its position on the global travel map. As more families plan their festive-season or year-end getaways, we are delighted to support them through Agoda's simple, intuitive platform and our wide range of stays, flights, and activities."

With over 6 million properties, 130,000 flight routes, and 300,000 activities, all bookable in one seamless itinerary, Agoda helps families plan memorable year-end holidays, whether they choose a peaceful beach break, a cultural city escape, or an international exploration to mark the close of the year.

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

Agoda Data Shows Vietnam Rising as a Favorite End-of-Year Destination for Families Across Asia and Beyond