HCM CITY — The HCM City Party Committee has green-lighted the city’s bid to host the 2021 SEA Games.

The People’s Committee now has to submit the bid to the Government, which will send it on the city’s behalf.

The city plans to earmark around VNĐ15.6 trillion (nearly US$700 million) for the games, including VNĐ8.13 trillion ($360 million) for land and infrastructure at the 180-hectare Rạch Chiếc Sports Complex in District 2.

Another VNĐ6.57 trillion ($29 million) will be spent to repair and upgrade existing sports complexes in the city and the neighbouring provinces of Bình Dương and Đồng Nai, which will host some of the events.

The remaining amount will be used to run the event.

The city plans to raise VNĐ5.1 trillion ($227 million) from sponsors.

Around VNĐ3.13 trillion ($140 million) will be spent to build a major stadium at the Rạch Chiếc Sports Complex while the Phan Đình Phùng Sports Centre in District 3 will cost nearly VNĐ2 trillion ($90 million).

The city expects revenues of VNĐ269 billion ($12 million) from the games.

It does not plan to build dormitories for the athletes but will put them up in hotels.

The city has nearly 47,000 three- to five-star hotel rooms, Bình Dương province has 1,235.

The SEA Games is a biennial sporting competition involving the 11 countries in the Southeast Asian region.

The 31^st edition, to be held in August 2021, would have 30-36 sports and attract 9,800 athletes, referees, officials and organisers.

Việt Nam first hosted the event in Hà Nội in 2003. — VNS