The second Chefs de Mission Meeting of the 31st SEA Games in Hanoi on March 18 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The second Chefsde Mission Meeting of the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games was heldboth in person and via videoconference in Hanoi on March 18.
Minister of Culture, Sports andTourism Nguyen Van Hung, Chairman of the Vietnam Olympic Committee and head ofthe 31st SEA Games organising committee, said over the past decades,the Southeast Asian community has gradually get established, brought into playtheir role, and actively contributed to common efforts for regional andinternational peace, stability, and development. The solidarity, dynamism,creativity, and flexible response to challenges are the characteristics ofSoutheast Asia during the development process.
Thanks to the solidarity of SoutheastAsian countries and efforts by the Vietnamese Government and people, despitemany challenges, Vietnam has basically put the COVID-19 pandemic under controland made preparations for the 31st SEA Games, with safety measurestaken, on schedule, he noted.
Basing on the opinions raised at thefirst Chefs de Mission Meeting, Vietnam has worked on issues relevant to the organisation of the Games, Hung noted, adding that sub-committees of the organising committeewill continue providing the delegates with updated information about the Gamesand issues needed to be done in the time ahead so that all countries can havethe best preparations for their delegations to the region's largest sport event.
He added that as part of the meeting, participants will visit some competitionvenues and accommodation facilities for the Games.
Following the opening ceremony, theyheld a closed session to discuss important issues related to the organisation of SEA Games 31.
The 31st SEA Games, themed “For a strongerSouth East Asia”, will run in Hanoi and 11 neighbouring localities from May 12to 23. It will feature 40 sports with 526 events and expect to attract around10,000 participants. The biennial event was initially slated for late2021 but delayed due to the pandemic’s impact.
At the 30th SEA Games in 2019, Vietnam finishedsecond in the overall medal tally, with 98 golds, 85 silvers and 105 bronzes,following the hosts the Philippines./.
The Vietnam Football Federation on March 10 announced 32 players of the Vietnam’s U23 team to prepare for the upcoming 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) and the 2022 AFC U23 Asian Cup.
The national karate team will take part in the Southeast Asian championship, a key warm-up tournament to prepare for the Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam in May.
Vietnamese ministries, sectors and localities are hastening final preparations for the opening of the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) with less than 60 days to go.
Hanoi has nearly completed all preparations for the upcoming 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31), heard a meeting chaired by Chairman of the People’s Committee of Hanoi Chu Ngoc Anh, who is also head of the city's Steering Committee for SEA Games 31 on March 16.
A supervision team of the Hanoi People's Council on March 17 inspected the upgrade of infrastructure serving the upcoming 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) in the capital city.
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 second Chefs de Mission Meeting of the 31st SEA Games in Hanoi on March 18 (Photo: VNA) 
