The official date for the 31st SEA Games has been confirmed.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam instructed the Hanoi People's Committee to take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and other relevant departments and agencies to proactively develop a plan for organizing the opening and closing ceremonies of the 31st SEA Games, ensuring they are solemn and economical.

In particular, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism needs to coordinate with the Ministry of Health, the Hanoi People's Committee, and other relevant agencies to develop a plan for organizing the SEA Games 31 that is appropriate to the Covid-19 pandemic situation.

Coach Park Hang-seo and his team with their historic gold medal at the SEA Games 30. Photo: Hai Hoang

According to Deputy Director General of the General Department of Sports and Physical Training, Tran Duc Phan, the timing of the 31st SEA Games does not coincide with other major events in 2022 such as the Winter Olympic Games (February 2022); the Asian Indoor & Martial Arts Games (March 2022); the Commonwealth Games (July 2022); and the Asian Games (September 2022)...

On the other hand, this timing is also suitable for Cambodia to have enough time to prepare for the 32nd SEA Games, which will take place in Phnom Penh from May 5-17, 2023.

Due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, host country Vietnam decided not to host the 11th ASEAN Para Games (Southeast Asian Games for people with disabilities).

The 31st SEA Games featured 40 sports with 525 events held in Hanoi and 11 provinces and cities including Bac Ninh, Hai Duong, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh, Vinh Phuc, Phu Tho, and Bac Giang.

The 31st Southeast Asian Games are expected to attract around 20,000 participants from 11 sports delegations in the region.