HCM City enters bid for 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 VND15.6 trillion (nearly US$700 million) for the games, including VND8.13 trillion (US$360 million) for land and infrastructure at the 180-hectare Rach Chiec Sports Complex in District 2.

Another VND6.57 trillion (US$29 million) will be spent to repair and upgrade existing sports complexes in the city and the neighbouring provinces of Binh Duong and Dong Nai, which will host some of the events.

The remaining amount will be used to run the event.

The city plans to raise VND5.1 trillion (US$227 million) from sponsors.

Around VND3.13 trillion (US$140 million) will be spent to build a major stadium at the Rach Chiec Sports Complex while the Phan Dinh Phung Sports Centre in District 3 will cost nearly VND2 trillion (US$90 million).

The city expects revenues of VND269 billion (US$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 31st edition, to be held in August 2021, would have 30-36 sports and attract 9,800 athletes, referees, officials and organisers.

Vietnam first hosted the event in Hanoi in 2003.