Minister of Culture, Sports andTourism Nguyen Van Hung, Chairman of the Vietnam Olympic Committee and head ofthe 31st SEA Games organising committee, said over the past decades,the Southeast Asian community has gradually get established, brought into playtheir role, and actively contributed to common efforts for regional andinternational peace, stability, and development. The solidarity, dynamism,creativity, and flexible response to challenges are the characteristics ofSoutheast Asia during the development process.
Thanks to the solidarity of SoutheastAsian countries and efforts by the Vietnamese Government and people, despitemany challenges, Vietnam has basically put the COVID-19 pandemic under controland made preparations for the 31st SEA Games, with safety measurestaken, on schedule, he noted.
Basing on the opinions raised at thefirst Chefs de Mission Meeting, Vietnam has worked on issues relevant to the organisation of the Games, Hung noted, adding that sub-committees of the organising committeewill continue providing the delegates with updated information about the Gamesand issues needed to be done in the time ahead so that all countries can havethe best preparations for their delegations to the region's largest sport event.
He added that as part of the meeting, participants will visit some competitionvenues and accommodation facilities for the Games.
Following the opening ceremony, theyheld a closed session to discuss important issues related to the organisation of SEA Games 31.
The 31st SEA Games, themed “For a strongerSouth East Asia”, will run in Hanoi and 11 neighbouring localities from May 12to 23. It will feature 40 sports with 526 events and expect to attract around10,000 participants. The biennial event was initially slated for late2021 but delayed due to the pandemic’s impact.
At the 30th SEA Games in 2019, Vietnam finishedsecond in the overall medal tally, with 98 golds, 85 silvers and 105 bronzes,following the hosts the Philippines./.