Visitors at the exhibition. VNA/VNS Photo Phạm Kiên

HÀ NỘI — As part of the festivities leading up to the 31st SEA Games, the National Convention Centre in Hà Nội is hosting a photo exhibition titled Khát Vọng Chiến Thắng (Aspirations for Victory).

The exhibition was organised by the Information and Communication Subcommittee of the 31st SEA Games and the Vietnam News Agency (VNA).

The event aims to introduce Việt Nam to regional and international friends as a country that is continually improving and striving to reach new heights in sports.

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, where Việt Nam surpassed expectations to finish second overall with 98 gold, 85 silver and 105 bronze medals, just behind the Philippines.

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.

Hà Nội and 11 surrounding cities and provinces will host the SEA Games 31, themed "For a Stronger Southeast Asia", from May 12 to 23.

Featuring 40 sports, SEA Games 31 is expected to attract around 10,000 participants. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the biennial event was postponed from its original date of late 2021.

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. VNS