The flag-hoisting ceremony was intended to give encouragement to athletes, while promoting culture and people of Vietnam.

Being held in Hanoi and 11 cities and provinces, the Games serves as a sports arena for the most outstanding athletes in the region.

Themed “For a Stronger South East Asia”, it features 40 sports with 523 events. T♎he biennial event was initially slated for late 2021 but deꦰlayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic./.