The opening ceremony includes three parts: “Friendly Vietnam” featuring a countdown event with mapping and virtual graphic shows; “Strong Southeast Asia” showcasing the strengths of regional countries and a parade of 11 contingents of the SEA Games 31; “Shining Southeast Asia” covering arts performances and torch relay.
Participants in the ceremony were Vietnam’s President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, Hanoi Mayor Chu Ngoc Anh, and honorable guests namely Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Cambodia, Minister of Culture and Sports Lao and Myanmar’s Minister of Sports and Youth.
The event themed “For A Stronger Southeast Asia” was contributed by over 1,000 participants on a stage of 7,000 square meters at My Dinh National Stadium.
The Hanoi Timeshelps you explore the ceremony full of typical culture and arts.
The ceremony opens with a countdown scene featuring “Friendly Vietnam”.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc declares the opening of the 31st SEA Games.
Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Chu Ngoc Anh delivers a speech at the opening ceremony.
The Vietnamese contingent on the stage of My Dinh National Stadium for the parade.
The flag-raising ceremony takes place in solemn atmosphere.
Eight prominent athletes join the torch relay, including athlete Quach Thi Lan, who won the 2018 ASIAD gold medal, who lights up the cauldron.
The performance features bamboo, Vietnam’s typical tree having an important role in history and life.
The performance, which features lotus, bamboo, and wet rice, is supported by the light and sound mapping technology, introducing culture, tradition, and people of Vietnam while conveying the spirit of the Games “For a Stronger Southeast Asia”.
Vietnamese girls in Ao dai or Vietnamese traditional dress and conical hats gracefully arrange a map of Vietnam on the stage.
The dance performance entitled “The Soul of the Lotus” was led by famous dancer Linh Nga.
The performance takes place in the background of 3D images reminiscent of a lively lotus pond, a beautiful yet familiar image in Vietnam. For long time, the lotus has always been considered the national flower of the country.
Vietnamese singers Tung Duong, Hong Nhung, and members of O-Plus Band perform the official song of SEA Games 31 “Let’s Shine” under a spectacular fireworks display.
A prestigious horse academy with 300 stables located in Hai Phong will become the inaugural establishment of its kind in Vietnam. Its primary aim is to offer exclusive horse riding training programs to affluent individuals.
Chika Tatsumi, the sole international artist in the Arabesque Dance Company Vietnam located in Ho Chi Minh City, has found great appreciation for the opportunities and challenges presented in this Southeast Asian country. This renowned Japanese dancer is a valued member of the company, which frequently showcases mesmerizing dance performances both within and beyond Vietnam.
Testing the smoothness of the water surface, refueling the motorcycles, performing final checks before entering the race track... These are the scenes at Thi Nai Bay (Quy Nhon city, Binh Dinh province) on the morning of March 22.
After suffering a damaging 3-0 defeat to Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min urged the team to reflect on their performance and reassess their chances of securing a top-four position in the Premier League. It's time for each player to take a hard look in the mirror and evaluate their contribution to the team's recent struggles. The loss raises serious questions about our ability to compete at the highest level and achieve our goals. We must address these issues and come back stronger in our next matches.
Nottingham Forest finds themselves in a precarious position, now sitting in the relegation zone of the highly competitive Premier League. This unfortunate turn of events is a direct result of the club's recent four-point deduction, imposed due to their violation of financial regulations. Such breaches have become a prevalent concern in the world's wealthiest football league, sparking widespread discussions and debates.