The flag-raising ceremony of the 32nd SEA Games. (Photo: VNA) The event marked the official presentation of all sports teams atthe regional sports meet.
The organisers welcomed delegations to the Games and exchangedgifts with all teams' representatives.
Vietnam sent 32 athletes, coaches and officials, led by deputychief of the delegation Hoang Quoc Vinh, to attend the event at the NationalMorodok Techo Sports Complex.
“We are proud to represent Vietnam at the SEA Games, where we feelwarmly welcomed by the host country," said Vinh.
"We saw the organisers' attentive reception since we were atthe airport. They also worked well to promote the Games. Morodok Stadium is majestic.I believe this will be a very successful festival."
Also on May 3, the main part of the Vietnam delegation left forPhnom Penh.
A total of 168 members departed from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and DaNang to join the current team in Cambodia. The rest will leave in the next fewdays, depending on their competition schedules.
"Vietnamese athletes will compete with the national pride andhighest determination at the 32nd SEA Games," said head of the Vietnamesesports delegation Dang Ha Viet.
"We will not only be fighters representing Vietnam but alsothe country's ambassadors to show off our friendship, love of peace andnational beauty to international friends."
The Games will officially begin on May 5 and finish on May 17 inthe capital city and four other localities.
More than 12,400 athletes, coaches, officials, staff andvolunteers will participate in the biennial event.
Team Vietnam has 1,003 members, including 702 athletes competingin 31 sports. They target to win between 90-120 gold medals for a place in thetop three finish.
Competitors of six teams began their competitions before theopening ceremony, including ouk chaktrang chess, where Vietnam have alreadyclinched gold in the women's doubles thanks to Pham Thanh Phuong Thao and Ton NuHong An. However, they will only receive their medal on May 6, when the eventfinishes.
On May 4, jiu-jitsu and bokator martial artists began competing.The first medals of the Games and Vietnam might be from these sports.
"The great success of the ouk chaktrang might be a lucky startfor Vietnam at this Games," said Viet. "I congratulate the team andmasters Phuong Thao and Hong An. Hope that other athletes will compete as wellas them. "
He informed that Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quangwould visit and encourage the SEA Games team on May 4./.
VNA
