Following the 1999 referendum and a period of UN administration, East Timor becomes an independent state.
The Ho Chi Minh City Securities Trading Center begins trading, launching Vietnam's stock market.
A magnitude 9.1 earthquake off Sumatra triggers tsunamis that kill around 230,000 people across many countries.
The ancient town of Hội An and the Cham sanctuary of Mỹ Sơn are inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Amid the Asian financial crisis and mass protests, President Suharto resigns after 31 years in power, opening Indonesia's Reformasi era.
Vietnam becomes the 150th member of the World Trade Organization.
Vietnam's first communications satellite is launched into orbit.