DESPITE THE RAIN: The exciting atmosphere created by Vietnamese fans at the SEA Games 31. — Photo courtesy of tdtt.gov.vn

HÀ NỘI — Khoảnh Khắc Sea Games 31 (Moments of the SEA Games 31), a photo contest aimed at capturing the best moments of the 31st Southeast Asian Games, has opened to celebrate the Games being held in Việt Nam.

The contest, organised by the Việt Nam Association of Photographic Artists (VNAP), is calling for entries from both amateur and professional photographers from across the country.

It is a special activity to accompany other major and important events across the country, honouring outstanding people in various fields and the unforgettable sporting moments during the SEA Games 31, which is held with the theme "For a Stronger Southeast Asia" from May 12 to 23.

Beautiful images, including those about training, practice and performances of athletes, fans cheering and other event-related activities, are encouraged to be sent to the organising board of the contest.

Entries must be digital, in colour or black and white, and must be taken during SEA Games 31. In addition, submissions can either be a single image or a set of photos.

The board says it encourages the authors to renew methods and thinking in art creation related to themes, topics and creative ranges to clearly expose the athletes' aspiration to rise up and overcome their own limits to win in competitions.

Each entrant can send up to 20 photos to  www.KhoanhkhacSeagames31.com before June 10.

Moving forward, the(VNAP will announce the winners and hold an exhibition on June 22. The organisers will deliver one gold, two silver, three bronze, and five consolation prizes to the winning photos.

Earlier, as part of the festivities to celebrate the SEA Games 31, the National Convention Centre in Hà Nội opened a photo exhibition titled Khát Vọng Chiến Thắng (Aspirations for Victory).

The exhibition was organised by the SEA Games 31 Information and Communication Sub-committee and the Vietnam News Agency.

It features 500 photos from the VNA's archive that show the best Vietnamese athletes from SEA Games 22 in 2003 to SEA Games 30 in 2019.

The highlight of the event is a collection of photographs depicting the 30th SEA Games held in the Philippines in 2019.

The photographs clearly reflect the bravery, confidence and determination of athletes who strived to achieve excellent results, thereby enhancing the standing of Vietnamese sports in regional and worldwide competitions.

Featuring 40 sports, this year's SEA Games 31 has attracted around 10,000 participants. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the biennial event was postponed from its original date of late 2021.

LEAP OF FAITH: Wushu athlete Nông Văn Quyên in action at SEA Games 31. — Photo nhandan.vn

 Việt Nam has registered 965 athletes (534 men and 431 women), who are set to compete in all 40 sports at the Games, striving to win 140 gold, 77 silver and 71 bronze medals to secure the top place. 

The capital city of Hà Nội will play the role of the main host with 11 other neighbouring provinces and cities also acting as venues for the Games.

This is the second time Việt Nam has hosted the regional sports event, the last time being in 2003. It is regarded as an opportunity to affirm and enhance the image and position of the country and its people on the regional and international stage. — VNS