Saola, a rare mammal from Vietnam, was selected as the mascot for the Southeast Asian Games 31. Saola was found by scientists in Vu Quang National Park in Ha Tinh in May of 1992.
The organisation of the hot air balloon display at Vu Quang showed the pride of Ha Tinh in general and Vu Quang in particular when Saola was chosen as the mascot of SEA Games 31.
Themed “For a Stronger Southeast Asia”, SEA Games 31 will feature 40 sports and is scheduled to take place in Hanoi and 11 nearby localities from May 12 to 23.
The biennial Games were initially slated for late 2021 but were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is the second time Vietnam has hosted a SEA Games, after the first in 2003.