Vietnam finishes in 3rd place as 27th SEA Games close

Nhan Dan Online – Vietnam retained third place for the second time among the 11 countries competing at the 27th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), which came to a successful end on December 22 after eleven days of competition.

The dazzling display of fireworks opens the ceremony (Photo: danviet.vn)
The dazzling display of fireworks opens the ceremony (Photo: danviet.vn)

The final medal tally sees Thailand on top with 107 gold, 94 silver and 81 bronze medals. Host Myanmar came in second at 86-62-85 and Vietnam finished third at 73-86-86. The rest finished in this order: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Phillipines, Laos, Cambodia, Timor-Leste and Brunei.

The closing ceremony of the games took place at Wunna Theikdi Stadium in Nay Pyi Taw with Myanmar President U Thein Sein and his wife in attendance.

A dazzling display of fireworks opened the ceremony, which was followed by songs and dances highlighting peace, friendship, youth and Myanmar’s traditional culture. After the parade of athletes from all participating countries across 33 sports, Minister for Sports U Tint Hsan, who is also chairman of the Myanmar National Olympic Committee Union and head of the 27th SEA Games Organising Board read a brief report on the gathering, then Myanmar Vice President U Nyan Tun officially declared the event closed.

Another spectacular fireworks display lit up the Nay Pyi Taw night sky and an impressive modern song and dance performance by athletes, students and artists from Singapore, the country slated to host the 28th SEA Games, closed the ceremony.

SEA Games 27 was the largest event of its kind, with 33 sporting events and 460 sets of medals.

Vietnam sent a 750 member-strong delegation to the event, including 519 athletes who competed in 29 of the 33 official events.