HÀ NỘI — The SEA Games 30 officially kicked off this morning with a flag raising ceremony held at the Athletes’ Village in the New Clark City sports complex in the Philippines.

The Vietnamese delegation’s leader Trần Đức Phấn joined another 10 leaders of Southeast Asian nations to take part in the event.

Trần Đức Phấn, head of the Vietnamese SEA Games delegation, joins Vietnamese athletes at the ceremony. — Photo dantri.com.vn

The event’s opening ceremony will begin on November 30 and wrap up on December 12, with the participation of athletes from 11 Southeast Asian nations. About 8,750 athletes will compete in 56 sports.

Apart from football, Vietnamese athletes will compete in other sports from December 1.

Việt Nam’s SEA Games delegation comprises 856 members, including 568 athletes competing in 40 sports.

Việt Nam set a goal to bring home at least 65 gold medals, with an emphasis on Olympic sports such as track and field, swimming, artistic gymnastics, fencing and wrestling. — VNS