A total of 22 new records were set at the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) which concluded with a colourful ceremony in Hanoi on May 23 night.
At the closing ceremony of SEA Games 31 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – A total of 22 new records wereset at the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) which concludedwith a colourful ceremony in Hanoi on May 23 night.
Of the records, 11 were set by Vietnamese athletes,including swimmer Nguyen Huy Hoang in the 400m freestyle and runner Nguyen ThiOanh in the women’s 3,000m hurdles.
AFP ran an article highlighting new records made atthe 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31), which concluded inVietnam on May 23.
The article, published the same day, said nearly5,000 athletes from 11 countries fought for Southeast Asian pride, with hostsVietnam easily topping the medals table with 205 gold, followed by Thailand andIndonesia.
Singapore emerged again as SEA swimming kings with 21golds in the pool. Meanwhile, Malaysia swept all eight golds in the diving, inwhat was a generally disappointing Games for the country, coming a lowly sixthin the medals table with 39 golds.
Timor Leste won three silver and two bronze medals toprop up the table, the article said.
Stars of the future were made and bolstered theiralready global reputation.
Thailand’s 16-year-old Puripol Boonson shattered the200m Games record and also clinched the 100m gold as he became the region's newsprint king on the track.
Reigning Olympic champions Panipak Wongpattanakitfrom Thailand defended her taekwondo crown, as did Filipino Hidilyn Diaz in thewomen's weightlifting.
A national hero in the Philippines, Diaz is alreadyeyeing the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Organisers nominated Nguyen Huy Hoang, Nguyen ThiOanh, and Singapore’s Quah Jing Wen (swimming) and Thailand’s Joshua RobertAtkinson (athletics) as the Games’ top competitors.
The article cited Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh as saying at the closing ceremony that "The torch of peace and development in Southeast Asia will continueto shine"./.
At its second hosting of Southeast Asia’s largest sporting event, Vietnam again left an unforgettable impression in the hearts of foreign athletes, coaches, and media in its preparation and the enthusiasm of its fans.
There were smiles and joy of winning and there are also tears, sadness and regret when the results weren’t as expected. From the opening to the closing ceremony, SEA Games 31 was a regional sporting event to remember.
Thailand won 92 gold medals to finish second at SEA Games 31 hosted by Vietnam from May 12-23, while the host topped the overall standings with a record haul of 205 golds.
Nguyen Trong Nha Uyen has made history for Vietnam’s dancesport by clinching a bronze medal in the solo Latin category at the WDSF World Championship 2025 in Germany.
The ambassador noted that among the 300,000 Vietnamese residing in the RoK, around 3,000 are living in Pyeongtaek and contributing actively to the local economy. Ho expressed his hope that the local authorities will continue support the overseas Vietnamese community in the city.
This is the first time since the adoption of the Convention that a country has served two consecutive terms on the Committee. The outcome shows the trust and recognition that member states have given Vietnam for its efforts and achievements in carrying out and promoting the Convention, as well as for its active role, strong standing, and growing credibility at UNESCO.
Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
Vietnam’s cinematic appeal lies in its diverse settings, from terraced mountains and limestone karsts to bustling markets and ancient towns. Its mix of ethnic vibes, buzzing street life, and old traditions gives directors a goldmine for storytelling.
The Vietnamese team will gather on June 26 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where they will train until July 14 before departing for Indonesia for the ASEAN U23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29. Vietnam will face Laos on July 19 and Cambodia on July 22 in the group stage.
The exhibition showcases more than 100 valuable documents and artifacts, divided into two main parts: “Journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh” and “President Ho Chi Minh – Founder and Mentor of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press.” This is an opportunity to recall the late leader’s journalism journey and affirm his exceptional role in founding and guiding the revolutionary press in Vietnam.
For the first time, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has granted Vietnam hosting rights for the two championships, including the Asian women’s solo category, which debuts this year as an officially recognised event.
Eight teams will join the tournament, divided into two groups. Group A features Vietnam, the Philippines, Sichuan Club (China), and Australia, while Group B consists of Vietnam U21, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China), and U21 Thailand.
Despite strong home support and high expectations, Vietnam were unable to overcome the defending champions, who secured their third consecutive win over Vietnam in a regional final, following previous victories in 2014 and 2023.
The event, part of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy strategy through 2030, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela and USM’s Faculty of International Relations. It attracted thousands of students from universities across Venezuela.
For the first time, Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to experience the ballet masterpiece "Don Quixote" in its original version by renowned choreographer Marius Petipa.
The contest carried deep meaning as it was the first time the life of Vietnamese women abroad had been highlighted as the central theme, said poet and writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association.
The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July.
Creative cultural festivals are fast emerging as a new catalyst for tourism development in Vietnam, as localities increasingly invest in these vibrant events on a more systematic and larger scale.
This marks the first time Vietnam has hosted a continental-level Muay event which will feature competitions across 28 weight categories in combat and eight performance categories.
Coming to the Vietnamese booth, visitors had the chance to take part in a bamboo dance, a workshop on painting woven bamboo or rattan, or quizzes about Vietnam.
At the closing ceremony of SEA Games 31 (Photo: VNA) 
