SEA Games 31 - For a stronger, more united Southeast Asia that shines together

A closing performance of SEA Games 31. Photo: Vne

Following is the full text of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's speech:

Dear delegates and guests!

Over the past few days, the country of Vietnam and the Vietnamese people have been very honored and delighted to welcome the distinguished delegates, distinguished guests, and more than 10,000 athletes, coaches, and referees to the 31st SEA Games - the largest sports event in Southeast Asia. The Covid-19 pandemic has forced us to postpone the 31st SEA Games from November 2021 to May 2022. However, that has brought us closer together, more united, more determined, more determined, more resolute, overcoming all difficulties and challenges for the noble love of sports to successfully organize the 31st SEA Games.

Dear delegates!

We gather here to contribute to affirming ASEAN's vision and mission, which is solidarity-peace-friendship-cooperation and development. That vision and mission have surpassed the value of the Southeast Asian Sports Festival event. As the host country, a proactive, active and responsible member of ASEAN and the international community, with a spirit of hospitality and respect, the leaders of the Party and State of Vietnam have paid special attention to this event. Over the past time, Vietnam has made every effort to prevent, repel and effectively control the Covid-19 pandemic, ensure social security, stabilize people's lives, focus on promoting socio-economic recovery and development, and at the same time prioritize the best resources to carefully prepare and successfully organize the Congress.

Perhaps we all feel happy and excited when the competition venues are full of spectators for a healthy sport, the climax of which is the enthusiasm and dedication of more than 40 thousand fans cheering innocently and purely for the men's football final at My Dinh Stadium. That is like the message that Vietnam in particular and Southeast Asian countries in general send to the world that we have controlled the epidemic and safe life has gradually returned to normal.

In his closing speech at the 31st SEA Games, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh thanked all the sports delegations and countries for creating a wonderful, successful, impressive, humane, memorable, deeply humane and noble sportsmanship-filled 31st SEA Games. Photo: danviet

During the hosting of the 31st SEA Games, Vietnam was extremely happy, excited and honored to welcome Mr. Tan Chuan-Jin, President of the Singaporean Parliament, Mr. Tea Banh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of Cambodia, and Ministers of Southeast Asian countries. This is a vivid demonstration of the good feelings and deep concern for the Southeast Asian sports movement in general and for the country and people of Vietnam in particular - the country of lotus soul, conical hat, and ao dai.

Dear delegates and guests!

We gathered here to spread the spirit of solidarity, friendship and exchange of 11 cultures of 11 countries in the region. That is the unity in diversity of a multicultural Southeast Asia. In the opening session, we witnessed the friendship, liveliness, impression and enthusiasm of representatives of sports delegations of countries in the region, all for the development of Southeast Asian sports and "For a stronger Southeast Asia - a powerful and prosperous Southeast Asia".

We gather here to sing the song of victory. More than 10 thousand athletes, referees, and coaches are more than 10 thousand stories of efforts, attempts, sacrifices, overcoming difficulties and challenges to participate in the sports festival of our region with integrity. There are smiles, joys of victory. And there are also tears, sadness and regret when the expected results are not achieved. But above all, all athletes have tried their best, competed with all their might, had the opportunity to exchange, learn, and explore different cultures, and were cheered and encouraged by fans. That is the victory of all of us; the victory of the spirit of honest, impartial, pure, and noble sportsmanship; the victory of ourselves, of solidarity and friendship among nations.

A colorful art performance combining technology on the closing stage of the 31st SEA Games. Photo: danviet

We gather here today to express our gratitude to all those who have contributed to the success of the Congress. On behalf of the Party and State leaders, I would like to acknowledge and warmly commend the 31st SEA Games Organizing Committee, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, relevant ministries and branches, Hanoi City, 11 localities hosting the competitions, news agencies, newspapers, sponsors, volunteers and people who have made efforts to contribute to the event and cheered for the athletes.

The image of a “safe, friendly, peaceful, hospitable, integrated and developing Vietnam”, a “stronger Southeast Asia”, a “united and united Southeast Asia in diversity” and a “Southeast Asia shining together” was portrayed throughout the 17 days of the Games. And I would like to express my special thanks to all the sports delegations of the countries, you have created a wonderful, successful, impressive, humane, memorable, deeply humane 31st SEA Games and a noble spirit of sports competition, healthy competition for the flag and colors without achievement. With the Sao La mascot symbol and profound impressions, the unforgettable and emotional memories will forever be preserved, inspiring, motivating and spreading in each of us.

Impressive images at the closing ceremony of SEA Games 31. Photo: danviet

Ladies and gentlemen!

The 31st Southeast Asian Games has been a great success. On behalf of the leaders of the Party and State of Vietnam, I declare the closing of the Games. The torch of belief in victory; the torch of friendship and solidarity; the torch of peace and development in Southeast Asia will forever burn. We will meet again at the 32nd SEA Games in the beautiful and hospitable country of Cambodia. Goodbye and see you again.

Thank you very much!