The closing ceremony of the ASEAN Para Games 12 held at the Morodok Techo National Stadium. VNA/VNS Photo Huỳnh Thảo

PNOM PENH — The ASEAN Para Games 12 has come to an end with an emotionally closing ceremony at the Morodok Techo Stadium in Cambodia on the evening of June 9.

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen attended and delivered the closing speech. He said he hoped the event will leave a long lasting impression on more than 600 million people from across the ASEAN region.

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen attended the event. VNA/VNS Photo Huỳnh Thảo

The closing ceremony featured art performances, sports ensembles and parades in the background of traditional Cambodian music and spectacular lighting. The songs "Shining Cambodia" and "The language of the heart" with beautiful and poetic melodies contributed to spreading the message of "Sports - living in peace".

At the closing ceremony, the ASEAN Para Sports Federation flag was handed over to Thailand who will host of the 13th edition.

Taking place from June 3 to 9, the ASEAN Para Games 12 featured more than 2,690 members of sports delegations from 11 countries in the region. In which, about 1,450 athletes competed in more than 400 competitions in 14 subjects.

Artists perform at the closing ceremony of the ASEAN Para Games 12. VNA/VNS Photo Huỳnh Thảo

Indonesia topped the medal tally with 401 medals, followed by Thailand (328) and Việt Nam (201).

Sports delegations at the closing ceremony of the ASEAN Para Games 12. VNA/VNS Photo Huỳnh Thảo

Việt Nam earned 66 gold, 58 silver and 77 bronze medals. This is the best result the Vietnamese sport delegation has obtained at an ASEAN Para Games when it was held outside its territory. Before the event, Việt Nam had set a target of winning between 50 and 55 gold medals and finishing in the top four.

Việt Nam won most medals in swimming and athletics, when they contributed 48 gold medals out of a total of 66 gold medals. In particular, the swimmers won 28 gold medals, breaking 15 records of the Games. This is the best achievement ever for the swimming team. Meanwhile, the athletics team contributed 20 gold medals, the paratlifting team with 10 gold medals, and the chess team with eight gold medals.

The Vietnamese athletics team. Photo nld.com.vn

Danh Hòa and Trịnh Thị Bích Như were amonth the best athletes at the event. Hòa won six gold medals in swimming, while teammate Như took five gold medals and broke three regional records in swimming. VNS