The 31st SEA Games flag-raising ceremony taking place at the Mỹ Đình National Sports Complex in Hà Nội on Wednesday morning. VNA/VNS Photo Vũ Sinh

Khánh Linh

HÀ NỘI — The flag-raising ceremony of the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) took place at the Mỹ Đình National Sports Complex in Hà Nội on May 11 morning.

At 9.34 am, the national flag, along with the flags of ten Southeast Asian countries, rose over Stand B of the complex. There were 11 sports delegations, with 31 members of each delegation, and representatives of their embassy in Việt Nam there for the event.

At the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, who is also deputy head of the SEA Games 31 Organising Committee Hoàng Đạo Cương warmly welcomed leaders, officials and sports delegations of Southeast Asian countries to SEA Games 31.

Cương said this was the second time that Việt Nam has been honoured by hosting the SEA Games, demonstrating the right, the obligation and the responsibility of the host country for Southeast Asia.

In the past two years, the region’s most prominent sports event was postponed due to the complicated development of COVID-19 pandemic.

The flag-raising ceremony of Việt Nam's sports delegation. VNA/VNS Photo Phạm Kiên

“There are many difficulties and challenges, but with the Government’s determination, the Vietnamese people’s strong support and the enthusiastic support of the sports delegation of 11 Southeast Asian countries, in particular, the organising committee gained more faith to organise a successful and safe SEA Games,” he said.

Cương said SEA Games 31 would be held between May 12 and 23 in Hà Nội and 11 nearby cities and localities.

The event will be a sports gathering of Southeast Asia's outstanding athletes to compete with the further goal of preparing for the Asian Games.

“We hope that you will have wonderful experiences with the natural beauty of our country, as well as our hospitality during SEA Games 31,” he said.

The 31st SEA Games flag-raising ceremony team. VNA/VNS Photo Vũ Sinh

The flag-raising ceremony is held in every regional, continental and world Sports Games. In Việt Nam, the ceremony aims to mark the presence of participating countries, welcome all sports delegations to the 31st SEA Games and encourage the competitive spirit of athletes.

It is also expected to help introduce Việt Nam’s cultural identity and people to international friends, bringing a memorable experience to SEA Games competitors.

The opening ceremony of the biennial tournament officially kicks off on Thursday (May 12).

Việt Nam hosted the SEA Games for the first time in 2003. — VNS