Bhutan: The Happiest country in Asia

In terms of actual happiness, Bhutan is the happiest country in Asia and ranks eighth in the world, despite widespread poverty and illiteracy. Public education in Bhutan is free and the language of instruction is English.

Bhutan, renowned world-wide for pioneering the concept of “Gross National Happiness” as an alternative to the internationally used concept“Gross National Product”, is a country Located in the Eastern Himalayas, bordered by China in the north and India in the south.

IACE’s Management Team (From L-R) Director Aries B. Balanay, CEO Susana Balanay and Account Manager Regie Boquio, pictures taken in the welcome arch entering Thimpu City.

Known as “The Last Shangri-La”, “Last place on the Roof of the World” and the “Land of the Thunder Dragon”, Bhutan residents preserve their country’s immaculate culture and natural environment by exercising a guarded and restrictive policy on tourism wherein they carefully guide and introduce their ways of living to their visitors.

IACE’s team together with IACE’s alumnus Mr. Tsheten Wangchuk of National Statistics Bureau, Royal Government of Bhutan.

The people are required to wear their national costume – Men wear the Gho, a knee-length robe somewhat resembling a kimono that is tied at the waist by a traditional belt known as Kera, whilst Women wear the Kira, a long, ankle-length dress accompanied by a light outer jacket known as a Tego with an inner layer known as a Wonju.

Typical Sunday activities to Bhutanese men gathering in their stadium to play archery

During daylight hours and while playing their national sport, which is a form of archery wherein rival teams face each other across a field, and fire sharp arrows at one another, while each team waves its arms to distract their opponents