HÀ NỘI — The Government has approved the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism’s proposal to hold the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) and the 11th ASEAN Para Games (Para Games 11) in Việt Nam in 2021.

At a meeting in the capital on Tuesday, the Cabinet assigned Hà Nội as the host city, after successfully holding the SEA Games 22 in 2003, the Asian Indoor Games in 2009 and several other international sporting events.

The ministry’s proposal was made after the SEA Games Federation (SEAGF) informed Việt Nam it would have the right to host the SEA Games 31.

The federation said Cambodia, scheduled to host SEA Games 31, proposed postponing hosting until the next Games in 2023 as it is not ready.

Concluding the meeting, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc lauded the determination of the culture, sports and tourism sector, as well as of Hà Nội and relevant ministries and agencies.

Hosting the events is both the responsibility and honour of Việt Nam as a constructive member of ASEAN, he said, adding it is also a chance to promote the Vietnamese land and people.

The leader asked Hà Nội to complete infrastructure, set forth a detailed plan on the organisation of the events and mobilise the participation of different economic sectors in these efforts.

The sports sector should make preparations to reach the highest results at the tournament, he said.

According to the ministry, the SEA Games 31 will last for about 17 days and Para Games 11, about 11 days, from October to December 2021. Some 11,000 athletes and coaches are expected to participate in SEA Games 31, with 2,100 to join Para Games 11. — VNS