SEA Games 31: Vietnamese athletes resolved to show solidarity, friendship
Vietnamese athletes who will compete at the upcoming 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) have promised to make every effort to win medals for the country.
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese athletes who will compete at the upcoming31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) have promised to make every effort towin medals for the country.
Speaking at a send-off ceremony in Hanoi on April28, swimmer Nguyen Huy Hoang, on behalf of the athletes, affirmed that they areresolved to participate in the Games with the spirit of solidarity andfriendship with international friends.
Present at the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister PhamBinh Minh said SEA Games is not only a sport event but also a festival wherecountries in the region display their solidarity and friendship, and engage incultural exchanges.
Vietnam’s hosting of the Games demonstrates the country’srole and high sense of responsibility for regional sports, as well as itscontributions to the development of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN),he noted.
The Deputy PM commended efforts by organisations andindividuals, especially 951 athletes, 250 coaches and 30 experts of theVietnamese delegation during preparations for the event.
He asked them to use the occasion to promote Vietnam’sgood values to international friends, enhance solidarity and friendship, andexchange experience with guest teams.
Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh speaks at the ceremony. (Photo: VNA)
Each of the delegation members should be act as a culture ambassador of Vietnam, he said.
Deputy Director of the National SportsAdministration (NSA) Tran Duc Phan, head of the delegation, said with seriousand responsible preparations, the delegation is now ready for the Games.
SEA Games 31, themed “For a Stronger South EastAsia”, will be held in the capital city of Hanoi and 11 neighbouring provincesand cities from May 12 to 23.
Featuring 40 sports with 526 events, it is expectedto attract around 10,000 participants. The biennial event was initially slatedfor late 2021 but delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact.
Vietnam is striving to earn 140 gold, 77 silver and 71bronze medals at SEA Games 31.
The country bagged 73, 58 and 98 golds in the lastthree Games from 2015 to 2019, respectively.
Vietnamese athletes bagged 158 golds out of 444 whenthe country hosted the SEA Games for the first time in 2003, together with 97silver and 91 bronze medals./.
The northern province of Quang Ninh will reserve five hotels and resorts to accommodate members of the Organising Committee, referees and athletes during the time of the SEA Games 31.
Vietnam will compete at the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) with 1,341 members, including about 950 athletes together with coaches, doctors and experts.
Ministries, sectors, sub-committees of the Organising Committee for the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) and local organising committees have sped up preparations for the region's biggest sport event, heard a meeting in Hanoi on April 28.
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.
At the send-off ceremony (Photo: VNA) 
Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh speaks at the ceremony. (Photo: VNA) 
