Hanoi launched a 31-day countdown to the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31), which will take place on May 12, at the Hoan Kiem Lake on April 11.

Delegates press the buttom to kick off the countdown ceremony.

The ceremony marked the 31 days left for the 31st SEA Games Opening Ceremony (May 12) in Vietnam, with the aim of organizing the regional sporting event safely and bringing good impressions for regional and international friends, according to the Organizing Committee.

SEA Games are expected  to further promote the image of Vietnam and its friendly people as well as reaffirm the position of Vietnamese sports on world, continent and regional maps.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Chu Ngoc Anh, Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee emphasized: “After 19 years since the 22nd SEA Games, Hanoi is honored to be chosen as the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies and many sport events at the SEA Games 31.”

Chu Ngoc Anh, Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee speaks at the event.

He added, the city’s authority is well aware of the importance of this political and sporting event, and have made efforts to basically complete the refurbishment of facilities for the competitions, the decoration and visual promotion works in the city, ready to welcome the great sports festival of the Southeast Asia.

Vietnam successfully hosted the 22nd SEA Games in 2003 and will organize the 31st SEA Games Southeast Asia when the world and Southeast Asia are gradually controlling the Covid-19 and Vietnam has been recovering from the pandemic and promoting socio-economic development.

He expressed his confidence that SEA Games 31 will be a great success and called on districts, departments, branches and socio-political organizations in the capital to actively participate in the 31-day emulation movements towards the SEA Games.

More than 3,000 runners who are coaches, athletes and others participated in the running race after the kick-off ceremony.

SEA Games 31, themed “For a stronger South East Asia”, will run from May 12 to 23 in Hanoi and 11 neighboring localities, namely Hai Phong, Bac Ninh, Hai Duong, Quang Ninh, Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh, Vinh Phuc, Phu Tho and Bac Giang.

It will feature 40 sports with 526 events and is expected to attract around 10,000 participants from 11 Southeast Asian countries.

Exciting art and sports programs to kick-off the countdown.

The government and the city’s leaders attend the countdown ceremony.

More than 3,000 runners who are leaders, coaches, athletes and others participated in the running race after the kick-off ceremony.

Representatives from the embassies of 11 Southeast Asian countries participated in the running race at the launching ceremony.

Hanoi’s residents take souvenir photos with the 31st SEA Games mascot.