Philippines beat Timor Leste 4-0 in SEA Games 31 opener
The Philippines defeated Timor Leste 4-0 in the first match of Group A in the men’s football at the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) in the northern province of Phu Tho on May 6.
Phu Tho (VNA) - The Philippines defeated Timor Leste 4-0 in the first match of Group A in the men’s football at SEA Games 31 in northern Phu Tho province on May 6.
Thousands of spectators attended the match at Viet Tri Stadium, which is set to host 10 games, including those of the hosts Vietnam, from May 6-21.
Defender Christian Rontini gave the Philippines the lead in the 21st minute.
The Philippines were then able to capitalise on errors by the Timor Leste defensive line to secure a 4-0 victory.
On May 8, Timor Leste will face Myanmar, while the Philippines will play Vietnam.
SEA Games 31, themed “For a Stronger South East Asia”, will be held in the capital city of Hanoi and 11 neighbouring provinces and cities from May 12 to 23.
Featuring 40 sports with 526 events, it is expected to attract around 10,000 participants. The biennial event was initially slated for late 2021, but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic./.
"Vietnam’s U23 footballers are under great pressure, but I’m certain we’ll make the fans happy at SEA Games 31", head coach Park Hang-seo said on May 5. He made the remark at a press conference together with other coaches of the teams in Group A of the men’s football at the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31).
Five giant LED displays have been installed along Nguyen Hue pedestrian street in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1 so that local fans can watch and cheer for the national football squad along their journey at the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31).
Two talented players of the Indonesian U23 men’s football team, Asnawi Mangkualam and Elkan Baggott, have not yet landed in Vietnam so they will definitely miss the match against the Vietnamese U23 team on May 6.
Teams competing in Group B of the men’s U23 football at the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) held a joint press conference in the northern province of Nam Dinh on May 6.
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.
These are impressive achievements, not only showing the efforts and prowess of Vietnamese paddlers but also serving as proof of the sports sector’s strategic and systematic investment.
The footballers of the Philippines. (Photo: VNA) 
