Her essay will be about the culture and religions of the ASEAN countries.

Mr. Hung: What are you doing? It’s so late. Why don’t you go to bed?

Nga:        I’m trying to finish my essay about the culture and religions of the ASEAN countries. I’ll have to submit it to my teacher tomorrow. May I ask  you something, Dad?

Mr. Hung: Yes? What’

Nga:        Do you know how many people in Southeast Asia speak English?

Mr. Hung: I’m not sure. But the ASEAN region has the third largest number of English      speakers – just after the US and UK.

Nga:         Really? Exactly how many people speak English?

Mr. Hung: Around 50 million, I think,…mostly in the Philippines.

Nga:         Do you know anything about religions?

Mr. Hung: The ASEAN countries include three main religions. They are Islam, Buddhism and Catholicism.

Nga:        What is Islam?

Mr. Hung: A religion based on a belief in one god and the teaching of muhammad. It’s the religion of  the Muslims?

Nga:        Can you tell me something more about the Muslims?

Mr. Hung: It’s an interesting question. The ASEAN countries have more Muslums than any other geopolitical entity.

Nga:         But how many Muslims, Dad?

Mr. Hung: Oh, let me try to remember… about a quarter of a billion, mostly in Indonesia  and Malaysia.

Nga:         And what about the other religions?

Mr. Hung: Other main religions of the various countries in the region include large numbers of Buddhists, and Catholics in the Philippines.

Nga:         What is the main religion in Vietnam?

Mr. Hung:  It’s Buddhism. Many people go to pagodas.

Nga:         Well, and now I think I’ve got all the information I need for my essay. Thank you very much, Dad.

Mr. Hung:  That’s all right. Finish your writing and go to bed. I’m afraid you’ll get up late tomorrow morning.