Youth festival held in Hanoi to welcome SEA Games 31

The culture of Southeast Asian nations was highlighted at a festival in Hanoi on May 7 ahead of the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31), the biggest regional sport event.

The festival bring together more than 11,000 young people from the 11 regional countries and volunteers of SEA Games 31. (Photo: VNA)
The festival bring together more than 11,000 young people from the 11 regional countries and volunteers of SEA Games 31. (Photo: VNA)

The Southeast Asian Youth Festival that took place around Hoan Kiem Lake saw the participation of representatives from the embassies of Southeast Asian countries as well as Vietnamese ministries and agencies.

Notably, it brought together more than 11,000 young people from the 11 regional countries, volunteers of SEA Games 31, which will be officially held in the capital city of Hanoi and 11 neighbouring cities and provinces from May 12-23.

The festival was intended to promote the image of Hanoi and Vietnam to regional and international friends, thus contributing to building regional peace, for a Southeast Asia of solidarity, friendship and prosperity.

Visitors joined a wide range of activities, including an exhibition on national flowers and dresses, cuisines and cultures of the countries, walking, painting, street arts and an art gala.

Sixteen cultural and art programmes will be held in Hanoi’s districts from May 13 to 23 to celebrate the Games, praising the Party, President Ho Chi Minh, the land and people of Vietnam and Hanoi.

The Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of Hanoi has also utilised social networks to promote the capital city’s image before, during and after the Games.

Hanoi has encouraged local businesses to join efforts in product promotion, especially handicrafts and those that meet the OCOP (One Commune-One Product) standards, in line with regulations of the Organising Committee of SEA Games 31.

Apart from tourism events, including the Hanoi Tourism Festival, the Tourism Gift Festival and the Hanoi Food and Craft Village Tourism Festival, the city has decorated its streets and competition venues with banners and billboards to welcome the important regional sport event.