Delegates pose for a group photo. The Organising Committee for the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) holds a closed session to discuss important issues related to the organisation of the biennial regional sporting event. The 31st SEA Games, themed “For a stronger South East Asia”, will run in Hanoi and 11 neighbouring communities from May 12 to 23. It will feature 40 sports with 526 events and expect to attract around 10,000 participants. The biennial event was initially slated for late 2021 but had to be delayed due to the pandemic. At the 30 SEA Games in 2019, Vietnam finished second in the overall medal tally, with 98 gold, 85 silver and 105 bronze, following only host Philippines. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
The session is chaired by Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung, who is also Chairman of the Vietnam Olympic Committee and head of SEA Games 31 organising committee. Relevant agencies and localities in Vietnam are speeding up preparations for the Games. An additional 301 billion VND (13.17 million USD) from the 2021 State budget for sport and training has been approved for regular expenditure tasks needed for the preparation for the event. Specifically, 283 billion VND of the total amount is earmarked for the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism; and 18 billion VND for the Ministry of Public Security. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung shakes hands with delegates at the session. He underlined that despite many challenges, Vietnam has basically put the COVID-19 pandemic under control and made preparations for SEA Games 31, with safety measures taken, on schedule. Reporters hoping to cover the SEA Games 31 can register from March 15 through a link on the event’s official website. The Organising Board said that it will support the press in getting visas to enter Vietnam with no limitation in the number of reporters. SEA Games 31, themed “For a stronger South East Asia”, will run in Hanoi and 11 neighbouring communities from May 12 to 23. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
A Philippine representative speaks at the session. Delegates from Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Timor Leste and Thailand take part in the in-person event held in Hanoi on March 18 to discuss important issues related to the organisation of SEA Games 31. The Games, initially scheduled for November 21 to December 2, 2021, had to be delayed due to the COVID-19 resurgence in Vietnam. Therefore, Vietnam has expressed a wish to receive assistance and support from the Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF), and the national Olympic committees of Southeast Asian countries so as to successfully organise the event. The plan is to feature 40 sports with 526 categories and attract the participation of 10,000 athletes. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Representatives of the Indonesian Olympic Committee participate in the session via video conference, along with delegates from other Southeast Asian countries. The event’s slogan “For a stronger Southeast Asia” is to convey a message of solidarity to build a thriving ASEAN Community and further promote its role in the international arena. Earlier, the regional sport events’ official logo and mascot were unveiled. The logo symbolises a flying bird and a V-shaped hand and the mascot is based on the saola – a rare animal listed in Vietnam’s Red Book of Endangered Species. The official song for the Games ‘Hay toa sang’ (Let’s shine) is composed by renown composer Huy Tuan. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
A representative of the SEA Games 31 Organising Board updates participants on the preparations for the event. The organising board comprises subcommittees in charge of the ceremonies, technical issues, logistics and public services, transport, health care and doping test, and preparation for the opening and closing ceremonies of SEA Games 31. The upcoming sporting event is hoped to offer a chance for Vietnam to make breakthrough growth for the tourism sector of Hanoi and the whole country. A Torch Relay ceremony will be held 31 days before the opening day, departing from northern Phu Tho province, going through 12 provinces and ending in Hanoi. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
A representative of the SEA Games 31 Organising Committee replies to queries from regional delegations. SEA Games 31, themed “For a stronger South East Asia”, will run in Hanoi and 11 neighbouring communities of Bac Ninh, Hai Duong, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh, Vinh Phuc, Phu Tho, and Bac Giang, from May 12 to 23. The plan is to feature 40 sports with 526 categories and attract the participation of 10,000 people. The Games, initially scheduled for November 21 to December 2, 2021, had to be delayed due to the COVID-19 resurgence in Vietnam. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Deputy General Director of the Vietnam Sports Administration Tran Duc Phan speaks to regional sporting delegates. At the 30th SEA Games in 2019, Vietnam finished second in the overall medal tally, with 98 gold, 85 silver and 105 bronze, following host Philippines. The Vietnamese delegation attending this year’s Games will comprise 1,359 members. The track and field team has the largest number of members with 68 athletes registered to compete in the event. The host’ athletes are set to compete at all 40 sports of the Games, striving to win 140 gold, 77 silver and 71 bronze medals and secure the top place in the tally. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Deputy General Director of the Vietnam Sports Administration Le Thi Hoang Yen speaks to the press. The SEA Games 31 Organising Committee is set to work with respective sporting delegations in the region on March 18 afternoon in order to discuss relevant issues of concern. The event’s slogan “For a stronger Southeast Asia” is to convey a message of solidarity to build a thriving ASEAN Community and further promote its role in the international arena. Reporters hoping to cover the SEA Games 31 can register from March 15 through a link on the event’s official website. The Organising Board said that it will support the press in getting visas to enter Vietnam with no limitation in the number of reporters. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
An overview of the session. According to the agenda, the Organising Committee will arrange trips to SEA Games 31 competition venues, hotels and accommodation establishments in Hanoi capital city and two northern provinces of Bac Ninh and Quang Ninh for representatives of regional sporting delegations on March 19. Hanoi will host the largest number of competitions at the Games, while Bac Ninh is to host boxing, kickboxing, tennis and indoor handball; and Quang Ninh women’s football, beach handball, chess, volleyball and duathlon and triathlon. SEA Games 31, themed “For a stronger South East Asia”, will run in Hanoi and 11 neighbouring communnities from May 12 to 23. (Photo: VietnamPlus) VNA
