The opening ceremony of the 2021 Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) took place at My Dinh National Stadium, Hanoi, Vietnam at 8:00 pm, May 12.

Opening ceremony of SEA Games 31 held in Hanoi on May 12. Photos: Ngoc Tu - Duy Khanh/The Hanoi Times

The event, which is performed by more than 1,000 artists and athletes, conveys the message: “For a Stronger Southeast Asia.”

Scenes represent Vietnam’s typical arts, each Southeast Asian country’s culture, and the solidarity of Southeast Asian countries.

The two-hour ceremony includes three main parts: Friendly Vietnam, Strong Southeast Asia, and Shining Southeast Asia.

Vietnam's President Nguyen Xuan Phuc declares the opening of the games.

Stage director of the opening ceremony Hoang Cong Cuong shared: “We take advantage of 3D Mapping, Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Extended Reality (ER), Mixed Reality (MR), among others to bring real effects for better performances.”

It opens with a drum countdown scene displayed in virtual reality, followed by the “Hello Vietnam” art performance, martial arts combined with mapping technology contributed by a large number of artists and athletes.

SEA Games’ song “Let’s Shine” was performed by famous singers Hong Nhung and Tung Duong.

Athletes perform torch relay.

Ensuring a fair tournament: message from the host

Despite Covid-19 impact, Vietnam was determined to host SEA Games 31 in a fair manner with all sports listed in the Olympic Games and ASIAD but not those of Vietnam’s strengths, Nguyen Van Hung, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said at the opening ceremony.

Delivering a speech at the opening ceremony, Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Chu Ngoc Anh said Hanoi is honored to host the opening, closing ceremonies and 18 sports. The city has well prepared for SEA Games aiming to provide athletes and visitors comfortable stay during the tournament.

Participating SEA Games 31 are 4,906 athletes coming from Brunei with 23 athletes, Cambodia 361 athletes, Indonesia 500, Laos 280, Malaysia 586, Myanmar 298, the Philippines 639, Singapore 425, Thailand 808, Timor Leste 39, and Vietnam 951.

A group of eight prominent Vietnamese athletes joined the torch relay. 

The ceremony closed with firework display.

Beyond the framework of a sporting event, the opening ceremony is expected to convey a message from Vietnam to jointly build a united and prosperous Southeast Asia, overcoming all challenges.

Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Chu Ngoc Anh delivers speech at the ceremony.