Vietnam has decided to postpone the 31st SEA Games to May 2022 and cancel the ASEAN Para Games 11, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The postpone was made due to the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in the region. It aims to ensure safety for athletes and people attending the event.

The Vietnamese U22 Football Team won the gold medal at the 30th SEA Games that took place in the Philippines in 2019. Photo: VNA

The event with 40 sports with 520 medal events will be held in Hanoi and other 11 provinces and cities including Bac Ninh, Hai Duong, Bac Giang, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh, Vinh Phuc, Phu Tho.

The My Dinh Sports Complex in Hanoi will be the main venue where the opening ceremony and Olympic sports competitions such as athletics, water sports, soccer, among others, will take place.

In the framework of the program, the Organizing Committee will launch SEA Games 31 website; a 1-year countdown to the SEA Games 31 opening ceremony; reports on the preparation of the host country’s Organizing Committee and on the creation contest of logo and mascot of the Games.

The 31st SEA Games is expected to draw about 20,000 athletes and sport delegations from 11 countries in Southeast Asia.

The task of keeping safety for the big sports game amid the Covid-19 pandemic is said to be a challenge for the host country.