Culture - Sports

Vietnam starts countdown to SEA Games 31

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Hanoi People’s Committee on November 21 jointly held a ceremony to mark. Vietnam’s hosting the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) next year.
Vietnam starts countdown to SEA Games 31 ảnh 1Representatives of the ministry, the municipal People’s Committee and embassies of Southeast Asian nations joined the ritual to start the one-year countdown for SEA Games 31. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi  (VNA) – The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the HanoiPeople’s Committee on November 21 jointly held a ceremony to mark Vietnam’shosting the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) next year.

During the 31st SEA Games kick-off ceremony, the organisersannounced the official website of SEA Games 31 and ASEAN Para Games 11, athanoi2021.com. The website provides information about the two tournaments,including venues and schedules. 

Information about historical relic sites, culture, food andaccommodation is also available at the website. 

On this occasion, representatives of the ministry, themunicipal People’s Committee and embassies of Southeast Asian nations joined theritual to start the one-year countdown for SEA Games 31. 

In his remarks, Minister of Culture, Sports and TourismNguyen Ngoc Thien, head of the SEA Games 31 organising board, said SEA Games 31and ASEAN Para Games 11 are the biggest sporting events in the region. 

This is the second time Hanoi has hosted the events, he said,pledging that despite COVID-19, Vietnam will make all-out efforts in thepreparation and organisation work, thus demonstrating solidarity, friendshipand mutual understanding among the ASEAN countries. 

The 31st SEA Games kick-off ceremony aims to raise publicawareness of the significance of hosting the event, the minister said. 

Chu Ngoc Anh, Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, saidHanoi has become an attractive and safe destination for both domestic visitorsand international friends. 

Given the complex development of COVID-19 this year, the cityhas tried its best to complete the dual goals of containing the pandemic andrecovering socio-economic activities, he said, noting that in 2020, it hassuccessfully organised major national and international events. 

On the occasion, the organising board also announced the mascot of SEA Games 31 and ASEAN Para Games 11, which is the Saola, a rare and precious species of mammal in Vietnam's forests, and the events' logo which features a flying bird and V-shapedhand./.


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