Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, Deputy Head of the 31st SEA Games Organizing Committee and Head of the city’s Steering Committee for the 31st SEA Games Chu Xuan Dung told Ha Noi Moi newspaper that the city will host the upcoming largest Southeast Asian sporting event in all friendliness. 

Chu Xuan Dung, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee. Photo: kinhtedothi.vn

How has Hanoi prepared for the SEA Games 31?

The city identifies the preparation and organization for the 31st SEA Games as its key task during the XVII Congress of the Hanoi Party Committee, after being assigned to host the Games. The municipal People’s Committee has then issued documents directing and urging the execution of the works related to the Games.  

Despite impacts from the complicated developments of the Covid-19 pandemic to the preparation for the event, I am pleased to affirm that the city’s implementation of SEA Games 31 has been completed. Hanoi has successfully performed all the tasks assigned by the Government.

The city is ready for all material, technical and human conditions for a successful, united, impressive, safe and effective sports event in the region.

As the host of the opening and closing ceremonies and the competitions of 18 sports, what has Hanoi done to ensure the success of those activities?

The capital city is tinted red with national flags, banners, and posters to celebrate the upcoming the 31st SEA Games. Photos: Duy Khanh/The Hanoi Times

This is the second time after nearly 20 years, Hanoi is honored to be the main host of the opening and closing ceremonies, and the competitions of 18 sports at the 31st SEA Games. The People's Committee has asked the departments, branches and People's Committees of districts and towns where the competitions would take place to actively and immediately roll out the investment, upgrading and embellishment of existing cultural works so as for them to meet the highest requirements of the Organizing Committee.

By March 31, the construction of new facilities, as well as the upgrade and repair of the competition and training venues, have been completed, and ready for hosting the event.

Not only upgrading facilities and building new ones, but the city’s leaders have also coordinated with the Vietnam Sports Administration to purchase new equipment and upgrade the existing ones so as to make sure that athletes can achieve the highest performance.

How are the opening and closing ceremonies of the SEA Games 31 going to take into account such a short preparation time?

As Hanoi sees the opening and closing ceremonies of the SEA Games as a highlight and an opportunity to widely promote Vietnamese culture and people among international friends, we established a subcommittee for the opening and closing ceremonies, which was led by the Vice-Chairman of the People’s Committee. 

The city has mobilized nearly 2,000 officers, soldiers, artists, actors, athletes, and students from 14 art and sports units to rehearse since April for the special artistic programs of the opening and closing ceremonies.

How has Hanoi’s sports delegation been training for the Games?

The Vietnam sports delegation attending the SEA Games 31 has 1,341 members who will participate in 40 sports with 523 medal events. It targets to achieve at least 140 gold medals to top the medal table. 

Hanoi has 67 coaches and 303 athletes summoned for the national sports delegation. Athletes and coaches from Hanoi are determined to contribute from 25% to 30% of the gold medals of the Vietnam sports delegation at the SEA Games 31.

Hanoi is a safe, friendly, and civilized capital.

What will Hanoi do to further promote the image of a safe, friendly, and civilized capital?

SEA Games is not only a sporting event but also an opportunity to promote Hanoi's culture, traditions, and people, thereby enhancing the city’s tourism and trade.  

The city has allocated 18 four- and five-star hotels to accommodate the delegations attending the Games. The Hanoi Tourism Department has coordinated the logistics and public services and organized training courses for personnel in charge of security, reception, prevention, and disease control. The Hanoi Youth Union has recruited and trained 3,000 volunteers who will work at the competition venues.

We continue to review and complete all the works for the opening and closing ceremonies of the SEA Games 31, as well as supervise the preparations at competitions places to ensure the best conditions for the sports delegations and fans. 

Besides, the city, in coordination with relevant ministries and branches, will carry out a series of cultural activities to celebrate the Games. We also encourage local businesses to introduce their specialties and products classified under the One Commune One Product program to promote the image of Hanoi and Vietnam on this occasion.

Thank you for your time.