SEA Games 31 opening ceremony held in Hanoi’s My Dinh Stadium

The opening ceremony of SEA Games 31 began at 8 pm in Hanoi’s My Dinh Stadium under the theme “For a Stronger Southeast Asia” with the participation of more than 4,900 athletes from 11 countries.

The Vietnam sports delegation (Photo: THANH DAT)
The Vietnam sports delegation (Photo: THANH DAT)

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore Tan Chuan-Jin and other delegates attended the opening ceremony of the 31st SEA Games.

SEA Games 31 opening ceremony held in Hanoi’s My Dinh Stadium ảnh 1

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc attends the ceremony (Photo: NDO)

Hanoi has mobilised nearly 2,000 workers, soldiers, artists, actors, athletes and students from 14 art and sports units to serve the opening ceremony of the 31st SEA Games.

An art performance at the opening ceremony (Photo: NDO)

The first part of the ceremony was the introduction of 30 seasons of SEA Games until the opening moment of SEA Games 31 in addition to mapping and virtual graphic shows imbued with Vietnamese symbols such as lotus and bamboo.

A lotus-themed performance (Photo TRAN HAI)

The performance of art and martial arts combined with mapping of a large number of actors and athletes expressed the love for labour, compassion and solidarity of the Vietnamese people who are ready to contribute to the common prosperity of the entire Southeast Asia.

Impressive images introducing the land and people of 11 countries were vividly displayed on the big screen during the parade of sports delegations, bringing the audience closer to each member of Southeast Asia.

The Cambodian delegation has a total of 361 athletes, participating in 33 out of 40 competitions. (Photo: THANH DAT)

The Thai delegation has 808 athletes competing for medals in 40/40 categories. This is the only international delegation to compete in all 40 sports at the 31st SEA Games. (Photo: THANH DAT)

The Vietnamese sports delegation has 951 athletes competing in all 40 sports. The flag bearer is swimmer Nguyen Huy Hoang. (Photo: NDO)

The opening ceremony of the 31st SEA Games of the host Vietnam is a welcome to the countries in Southeast Asia to attend the sport event with warmth, friendliness, smiles and a peaceful mind.