SEA Games 31 opening ceremony hits international headlines

Reviewing the event, the International Olympic Committee wrote, “Opening ceremony lights up Hanoi in spectacular celebration of Southeast Asia as SEA Games officially begins.”

“Simple and impressive!”, is how Thailand’s Sanook newspaper described the regional games’ opening ceremony.

Furthermore, Singapore’s CNA website quoted, “Gloomy skies but exuberant atmosphere as 31st SEA Games opens in Hanoi.”

Another Singaporean media outlet The Strait Times complimented the event, “SEA Games a showcase for Vietnam's recovery - and a welcome distraction.”

The online edition noted that the last time Vietnam hosted the sporting competition in 2003, and it was eager to showcase the results of its economic reform and integration with the wider region.

With the SEA Games returning to Hanoi's My Dinh Stadium on May 12 for the opening ceremony, the event will be a declaration of the country’s full reopening after surmounting the COVID-19 pandemic, it stressed.

The Strait Times also quoted Singaporean Pencak Silat fighter Sheik Farhan, "The past two years have been tough. It's hard to believe that, after three years, we are here at the SEA Games. Walking with my teammates and countrymen into the My Dinh Stadium felt surreal. I felt immense pride carrying the flag for my nation."

The grand opening ceremony held at My Dinh Stadium on May 12 was used as a platform to introduce Vietnamese culture and the various cultural identities of Southeast Asian nations, while also strengthening solidarity among ASEAN member states in line with the theme of “For a Stronger Southeast Asia”.

SEA Games 31 is taking place in Hanoi and 11 nearby localities until May 23, featuring approximately 10,000 participants and 40 sports.