Hanoi launched the 31^st SEA Games 31 Kick-off Ceremony, marking the one-year countdown to the opening ceremony of the event, at the Ly Thai To statue garden on November 21.

Overview of the ceremony. Photo: Ngoc Tu.

At the launch of the ceremony, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Head of the 31^st SEA Games and 11^th ASEAN Paragames organization board Nguyen Ngoc Thien said amid the severe Covid-19 impacts, Vietnam would strive its best for the successful organization of the major sporting event, which demonstrates solidarity, friendship and understanding among peoples in the Southeast Asian region.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien. Photo: Ngoc Tu.

Mr. Thien suggested this ceremony is the beginning of Vietnam’s preparation process for one of the region’s largest multi-sporting events, urging for more support from government agencies, provinces and cities.

Overview of the ceremony. Photo: Ngoc Tu.

SEA Games and ASEAN Paragames are held biennially, scheduled to take place from November 21 – December 2, 2021 in Hanoi and surrounding localities, including Bac Ninh, Hai Duong, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh, Vinh Phuc and Bac Giang.

Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Chu Ngoc Anh. Photo: Ngoc Tu.

Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Chu Ngoc Anh said while the world is facing unprecedented challenges from the Covid-19 pandemic, Hanoi and other provinces are putting up efforts to pursue the dual target of both containing the pandemic and boosting economic recovery.

“The year of 2020 is significant during Hanoi’s preparation process as the host of 31^st SEA Games and 11^th ASEAN Paragames in 2021,” noted Mr. Anh.

“We are committed to ensuring the successful organization of the Southeast Asian Games and be worthy of Hanoi’s status as a City for Peace,” he noted.

The 31^st SEA Games is set to have 520 events in 40 sports to be contested, of which 26 sports would be held in Hanoi.

Meanwhile, the ASEAN 11^th Paragames would have 11 sports, including athletics, swimming, weightlifting, table tennis, badminton, judo, chess, boccia, tennis, archery, and floorball.