[Photos] SEA Games 31 begins with vivid, colorful opening ceremony
SEA Games 31 burst into life with fireworks and a captivating cultural show in the capital city of Ha Noi, the Games officially run from May 12-23 with over 5,000 athletes from 11 nations competing.
The Games came to life in a flourish of color, dance and performance, all under the banner of the Games slogan For A Stronger Southeast Asia
A dance with lotus, a symbol of Vietnam will and strong spirit
The flags of the Southeast Asian Games Federation and SEA Games 31 come into My Dinh National Stadium
The Southeast Asian Games Federation and SEA Games 31 flag hoisting ceremony
The athletes parade followed with representatives from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam
Malaysia contingent
Cambodia contingent
The ceremony looked to not only popularise images of Vietnam but also express the country readiness for integration, creativity, and contribution For a Stronger Southeast Asia as the theme of the Games goes
The torch ceremony set the flame alight, and let the Games begin
The opening ceremony ended with the Games' official song Let’s shine, delivered by famous singers Hong Nhung, Tung Duong and the Oplus band
After President Nguyen Xuan Phuc delivered a speech to officially open the regional sports event, fireworks exploded at My Dinh Stadium
This is the second time Vietnam has hosted the region's biggest sports competition, the first time being in 2003
VNA
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