SEA Games 31: Vietnam’s athletic team resolved to retain top position
Vietnam’s athletic team ranked high at the two consecutive previous SEA Games, and members are determined to defend their top position in this sport at the ongoing 31st Southeast Asian Games in the country.
Vietnam's track and field athletes compete at a pre-SEA Games 31 tournament in Hanoi in late April (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam’sathletic team ranked high at the two consecutive previous SEA Games, and members are determined to defend their top position in this sport at the ongoing 31st Southeast Asian Ga꧃mes in the country.
At SEA Games 29 held inMalaysia in 2017, the team obtained up to 17 gold medals for the first time inthe regional sporting event’s history, almost doubling Thailand’s result,though the initial target was set at about 10 - 12 golds.
Two years later, track andfield athletes of Vietnam won 16 golds, 13 silvers, and nine bronzes,sustaining their top place on the medal table at the SEA Games 30 in thePhilippines.
Vietnam eyes 15 - 17 goldsamong the 47 sets of athletic medals at SEA Games 31, which experts described as not easy but still achievable.
Nguyen Thi Oanh, Dinh ThiBich, Khuat Phuong Anh, and Tran Nhat Hoang are the “golden” hopes of thecountry this time. Meanwhile, men’s and women’s 400m, 800m, and 1,500m races, men’sand women’s relay, and marathon are the categories Vietnam is strong at andcapable of winning gold medals.
The biggest regret is that LeTu Chinh is ruled out of the SEA Games 31 by injuries, aconsiderable loss to the host country in women’s 100m and 200m races and 4x100mrelay. She used to pocket four gold medals at the two previous Games.
Athletic events will takeplace at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi from May 14 to 19./.
Vietnamese marathoners are dreaming of reputable gold medals at the upcoming 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31), that they failed to do when hosting the event 19 years ago.
Goh Chui Ling is aiming for four medals at the upcoming SEA Games in Hanoi, where she will compete in the 800m (May 16), 1,500m (May 14), 5,000m (May 14) and 10,000m (May 18) races.
42-year-old marathoner of Singapore Jasmine Goh will be one of the oldest runners competing at the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) in Hanoi, according to the national organising committee for SEA Games 31.
The Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association said aside from EJ Obiena - the biggest hope of the athletic team, it has also assembled a gem-studded roster out to grab their share of the spotlight at the ongoing SEA Games 31 in Vietnam.
A standout feature this year is “Manga Fest 2025”, showcasing celebrated comic titles and also offering author meet-and-greets, cosplay performances, and other interactive activities.
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.
Vietnam's track and field athletes compete at a pre-SEA Games 31 tournament in Hanoi in late April (Photo: VNA)
