Google Places API, only in US?

I am trying to develop an app in Android which can display information about places nearby but after several tries it seems the Google Places API can only shows inf开发者_如何学Cormation within US. It works good when the place is in US, I can get nearby shops,banks,restaurants,... But when I try with the place in VietNam, it tells nothing can be found.

However when I use the default Maps app in Android it does differently, I can find shops,banks,bus stations, ...

So is the API in the default Maps app in Android different than the Google Maps API here ?

This call will find my favorite market in Saigon (were I always need to drink local coffee and have one of the best soups):

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=market&mrt=yp&sll=10.772265829894847,106.69806003570557&output=json

Doesn't this work for you?