Culture - Sports

SEA Games 31 officially kicks off in Hanoi

The 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31), the region’s biggest sporting event, officially began with a grand opening ceremony held at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi on May 12 evening.
SEA Games 31 officially kicks off in Hanoi ảnh 1The SEA Games 31 flame shines after Vietnamese runner Quach Thi Lan lit the cauldron at the opening ceremony on May 12 evening. (Photo: VNA) 

Hanoi (VNA) – The 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31), theregion’s biggest sporting event, officially began with a grand opening ceremonyheld at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi on May 12 evening.

PresidentNguyen Xuan Phuc, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, and Deputy PrimeMinister Vu Duc Dam were among the Vietnamese leaders attending the ceremony.

Internationalguests include Speaker of the Singaporean Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin, ministersand heads of the sports delegations of the 11 participating countries, chiefrepresentatives of international organisations, and foreign ambassadors.

SEA Games 31 officially kicks off in Hanoi ảnh 2The flags of the Southeast Asian Games Federation and SEA Games 31 come into My Dinh National Stadium. (Photo: VNA)

Theopening ceremony saw the presence of a large number of athletes and coachesfrom the 11 delegations who have been competing in 40 sports since May 4. The Vietnamesedelegation comprises more than 1,300 members.

Theevent began with the Vietnamese flag hoisting ceremony, which was followed byspecial art performances by over 1,000 artists and athletes to introduce theVietnamese culture and honour the cultural identities of the countries in SoutheastAsia, aiming to strengthen solidarity andfriendship, promote the spirit of contribution, dedication andhonesty, and motivate people's inner strength through sports competition.

SEA Games 31 officially kicks off in Hanoi ảnh 3The Southeast Asian Games Federation and SEA Games 31 flag hoisting ceremony at the opening. (Photo: VNA)
SEA Games 31 officially kicks off in Hanoi ảnh 4A dance performance at the opening ceremony. (Photo: VNA)

Theceremony looked to not only popularise images of Vietnam but also express thecountry’s readiness for integration, creativity, and contribution “For aStronger Southeast Asia” as the theme of the Games goes.

SEA Games 31 is taking place in Hanoi and 11nearby localities until May 23. This is the second time Vietnam has hosted theGames, after the first in 2003./.

VNA
#SEA Games 31 #31st Southeast Asian Games #My Dinh National Stadium #For a Stronger Southeast Asia #flag hoisting ceremony #updated Vietnam news #Vietnamplus #Vietnam News Agency
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

Hanoi’s communication security work serving SEA Games 31 completed

Hanoi’s communication security work serving SEA Games 31 completed

Representatives of the Hanoi Department of Information and Communications and the Authority of Radio Frequency Management under the Ministry of Information and Communications joined a field trip to inspect communication security serving SEA Games 31 at My Dinh Stadium, according to the Organising Committee for SEA Games 31.
Hanoi holds banquet to celebrate SEA Games 31

Hanoi holds banquet to celebrate SEA Games 31

The capital city of Hanoi on May 12 held a banquet to welcome SEA Games 31, the biggest regional sports event with great cultural, political, diplomatic and economic significance.

See more

VinFast expands presence in Southeast Asia

VinFast expands presence in Southeast Asia

Indonesia's PT Sembilan Benua Abadi is expected to purchase 10,000 VinFast EVs by the end of 2027, while PT. Satu Kosong Tujuh plans to acquire 10,000 units by the end of 2028. All vehicles will be deployed for commercial transportation services.

The Executive Committee of the Vietnam Ao Dai Heritage Club in Laos make debut. (Photo: VNA)

Ao dai helps promote Vietnamese culture in Laos

The club operates under the Vietnam Ao Dai Heritage Club of the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Conservation Support Fund, aiming to preserve and promote the values of the Vietnamese traditional dress among the Vietnamese community in Laos.

Head of the Party Central Commitee's Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation Trinh Van Quyet (first, right) presents A prize to the winning authors and groups of authors. (Photo: VNA)

More than 50 outstanding books honoured at 8th National Book Awards

Two A prizes, the highest distinction of the awards, were granted to Lich su Vietnam bang hinh (Vietnamese History in Pictures) by Dong A and multiple authors, jointly published by the Publishing House of Hanoi National University of Education and Dong A Culture Joint Stock Company.

An Ao dai collection of Lan Huong brand is introduced at the event (Photo: VNA)

Journey to bring Vietnam’s 'Ao dai' to global fashion stage

With support from the Embassy of Vietnam in the UK, Vietnamese associations across Europe, as well as business and artistic communities, the initiative seeks to establish the 'Ao dai' brand on the world fashion map. After London, the project is expected to travel to Paris and Milan, two of the world’s leading fashion capitals, to further showcase Vietnam’s cultural identity.

Tokyo Girls Collection will launch a fashion and music festival in Vietnam. (Photo: www.sggp.org.vn)

Tokyo Girls Collection Vietnam 2026 to debut in Ho Chi Minh City

The first day of TGC Vietnam will be open to the public free of charge and focus on fashion and lifestyle experiences. Activities will include Vietnam–Japan cultural exchanges, food and shopping spaces, Harajuku-inspired check-in areas, and runway shows featuring Japan’s distinctive fashion DNA.

An art performance at the event (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese culture promoted in France

It featured traditional melodies such as the ‘dan tinh’ (a kind of musical instrument) and 'then' singing of the Tay ethnic group, Quan ho (love duet) folk songs from Bac Ninh, as well as northern and southern Vietnamese folk music, 'cai luong' (reformed opera) excerpts and well-known songs celebrating the homeland, spring and love.

An exhibition of paintings and books titled “Vietnamese Soul on French Soil” opens on March 7 in Val-de-Marne, part of the Ile-de-France region. (Photo: VNA)

Exhibition of paintings and books celebrates Vietnamese spirit in France

More than an art exhibition, the event brought together Vietnamese intellectuals and artists living in France who, despite building successful careers abroad, have continued to maintain strong ties with the homeland. It also attracted French friends who have long-standing connections with Vietnam and hold deep affection for the country.

Ao dai (traditional long dress) and other traditional Vietnamese attire showcased at the Vietnam Festival 2026 in Osaka (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam Festival 2026 in Osaka spreads Vietnamese culture

Vietnam Festival 2026 in Japan is not only a cultural celebration rich in Vietnamese identity for the community in Japan, but also a vivid symbol of solidarity and close ties among overseas Vietnamese towards their homeland.

Chef Anna Le (in red dress) shares techniques and secrets for preparing Vietnamese vegetarian dishes using simple yet flavourful ingredients. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese vegetarian cuisine promoted to diplomatic community in US

In Vietnam, vegetarian food is not merely a dietary choice but also a philosophy rooted in peace, compassion, and a deep respect for nature. It reflects the Vietnamese soul - gentle yet flavourful, simple yet sophisticated. Familiar ingredients such as lotus seeds, tofu, mushrooms and fresh herbs are transformed into light, nutritious dishes that embody the essence of Vietnamese gastronomy.

A performance of Vietnamese artists at the opening ceremony of the 11th Japan-Vietnam Festival (Photo: The organising board)

Vietnam–Japan festival strengthens people-to-people ties

After more than a decade of development, the Japan-Vietnam Festival in Ho Chi Minh City has become a significant international cultural exchange event and a vivid symbol of the strong and enduring friendship between the two nations.

Visitors admire a large driftwood sculpture measuring nearly 25 metres in length and weighing around 20 tonnes, regarded as one of the most intricate works of its kind in Vietnam. (Photo: VNA)

Driftwood “museum” in middle of Tien River

What were once tree trunks lying silently beneath the muddy waters have, through his hands, become singular sculptural works, forming an unusual visitor attraction amid the waterways of southern Vietnam.

Coaches and players of the national women's U20 team discus before their training. The team will compete in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 next month in Thailand. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam women chase U20 World Cup dream

The Vietnamese women squad will compete in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026, the crucial World Cup qualifying tournament, from April 1-18 in Thailand. Drawn in Group A, they will face stiff competition from China, Bangladesh and the host nation.