The 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.
The 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.
The Southeast Asian Games Federation and SEA Games 31 flag hoisting ceremony at the opening. (Photo: VNA)
A 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./.
