The 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31), the region’s biggest sporting event, officially began with a grand opening ceremony held at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi on May 12 evening.
The SEA Games 31 flame shines after Vietnamese runner Quach Thi Lan lit the cauldron at the opening ceremony on May 12 evening. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31), theregion’s biggest sportin✅g event, officially began with a grand ope🍸ning ceremonyheld at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi on May 12 evening.
PresidentNguyen Xuan Phuc, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, and Deputy PrimeMinister Vu Duc Dam were among the Vietnamese leaders attending the ceremony.
Internationalguests include Speaker of the Singaporean Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin, ministersand heads of the sports delegations of the 11 participating countries, chiefrepresentatives of international organisations, and foreign ambassadors.
The flags of the Southeast Asian Games Federation and SEA Games 31 come into My Dinh National Stadium. (Photo: VNA)
Theopening ceremony saw the presence of a large number of athletes and coachesfrom the 11 delegations who have been competing in 40 sports since May 4. The Vietnamesedelegation comprises more than 1,300 members.
Theevent began with the Vietnamese flag hoisting ceremony, which was followed byspecial art performances by over 1,000 artists and athletes to introduce theVietnamese culture and honour the cultural identities of the countries in SoutheastAsia, aiming to strengthen solidarity andfriendship, promote the spirit of contribution, dedication andhonesty, and motivate people's inner strength through sports competition.
The Southeast Asian Games Federation and SEA Games 31 flag hoisting ceremony at the opening. (Photo: VNA)
A dance performance at the opening ceremony. (Photo: VNA)
Theceremony looked to not only popularise images of Vietnam but also express thecountry’s readiness for integration, creativity, and contribution “For aStronger Southeast Asia” as the theme of the Games goes.
SEA Games 31 is taking place in Hanoi and 11nearby localities until May 23. This is the second time Vietnam has hosted theGames, after the first in 2003./.
The 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) will be the second time Vietnam has hosted the region’s biggest sporting event, and all preparations are now completed for competitions to start.
Only a few hours left until the opening ceremony of the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31), all preparations have been completed, with special attention given to ensuring security and safety for the event.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has hailed the Vietnamese women’s football team 2-1 comeback win over the Philippines on May 11 at the ongoing SEA Games 31.
Representatives of the Hanoi Department of Information and Communications and the Authority of Radio Frequency Management under the Ministry of Information and Communications joined a field trip to inspect communication security serving SEA Games 31 at My Dinh Stadium, according to the Organising Committee for SEA Games 31.
The capital city of Hanoi on May 12 held a banquet to welcome SEA Games 31, the biggest regional sports event with great cultural, political, diplomatic and economic significance.
The programme featured a range of activities, including group practice sessions of the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP), Vietnamese–Indian cultural performances, a commemorative flag handover ceremony for clubs, and a beach clean-up to help protect the marine environment.
This year’s tournament has gathered over 300 coaches, athletes, and referees from 18 countries and territories, competing in 28 combat weight categories and eight performance categories. Vietnam’s team has 50 athletes, including six from Thai Nguyen province.
It is the first time that the country is to hold a G1-level tournament which is expected to lure more than 100 athletes of 15 countries and regions at Go Vap Gymnasium.
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.
The SEA Games 31 flame shines after Vietnamese runner Quach Thi Lan lit the cauldron at the opening ceremony on May 12 evening. (Photo: VNA)
The flags of the Southeast Asian Games Federation and SEA Games 31 come into My Dinh National Stadium. (Photo: VNA)
The Southeast Asian Games Federation and SEA Games 31 flag hoisting ceremony at the opening. (Photo: VNA)
A dance performance at the opening ceremony. (Photo: VNA)
