The 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) wrapped up with a ceremony imbued with Vietnam’s cultural identity at the Hanoi Indoor Games Gymnasium on May 23 evening.
A dancing performance at the SEA Games 31 closing ceremony on May 23 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) wrapped up with a ceremony imbued withVietnam’s cultural identity at the Hanoi Indoor Games Gymnasium on May 23evening.
Participants in the event includedVietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister andChairman of the 32nd SEA Games Organising Committee Samdech PicheySena Tea Banh, ministers, ambassadors, and the chefs de mission.
Special performances at the closingceremony looked to leave unforgettable impression on international friends anddemonstrate Vietnam as a country deeply imbued with its traditional identityand intensively integrating into the world.
At the closing ceremony, the host flag was handed over to Cambodian representatives. After that, artists from Cambodia had a performance of “Cambodia Welcoming and Blessing” to introduce their country, people and culture.
The SEA Games host flag is handed over to Cambodia, where the next Games will take place in 2023. (Photo: VNA)
With 40 sports, SEAGames 31 took place in Hanoi and 11 nearby localities.
Vietnam ranked first in the medalstandings with 205 gold, 125 silver, and 116 bronze medals. Thailand (92 golds,103 silvers, 136 bronzes) is placed second and Indonesia (69 golds, 91 silvers,81 bronzes) third.
They are followed by the Philippines,Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Brunei, and Timor Leste,respectively./.
Vietnam has wrapped up their SEA Games 31 run at the top of the medal table with 205 golds. Thailand came second with 92 golds and Indonesia third with 69.
Football fans nationwide hit the streets in massive numbers, recreating scenes of frenzied pre-pandemic jubilation after Vietnam beat Thailand to claim the SEA Games 31 gold on May 22.
An Indonesian minister has said that the country’s success to be placed in the top three in the 31st SEA Games met the President's expectations and demonstrated the effectiveness of the National Sports Grand Design (DBON).
The Philippines ended their last day at SEA Games 31 hosted by in Vietnam at 4th place in the tally with a total of 52 gold, 70 silver, and 10 bronze medals.
The Vietnam Recreational and Electronic Sport Association (VIRESA) will assist the E-Sport Federation of Cambodia (EFC) to organise e-sports events at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 32) in Cambodia next year.
Nguyen Trong Nha Uyen has made history for Vietnam’s dancesport by clinching a bronze medal in the solo Latin category at the WDSF World Championship 2025 in Germany.
The ambassador noted that among the 300,000 Vietnamese residing in the RoK, around 3,000 are living in Pyeongtaek and contributing actively to the local economy. Ho expressed his hope that the local authorities will continue support the overseas Vietnamese community in the city.
This is the first time since the adoption of the Convention that a country has served two consecutive terms on the Committee. The outcome shows the trust and recognition that member states have given Vietnam for its efforts and achievements in carrying out and promoting the Convention, as well as for its active role, strong standing, and growing credibility at UNESCO.
Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
Vietnam’s cinematic appeal lies in its diverse settings, from terraced mountains and limestone karsts to bustling markets and ancient towns. Its mix of ethnic vibes, buzzing street life, and old traditions gives directors a goldmine for storytelling.
The Vietnamese team will gather on June 26 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where they will train until July 14 before departing for Indonesia for the ASEAN U23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29. Vietnam will face Laos on July 19 and Cambodia on July 22 in the group stage.
The exhibition showcases more than 100 valuable documents and artifacts, divided into two main parts: “Journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh” and “President Ho Chi Minh – Founder and Mentor of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press.” This is an opportunity to recall the late leader’s journalism journey and affirm his exceptional role in founding and guiding the revolutionary press in Vietnam.
For the first time, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has granted Vietnam hosting rights for the two championships, including the Asian women’s solo category, which debuts this year as an officially recognised event.
Eight teams will join the tournament, divided into two groups. Group A features Vietnam, the Philippines, Sichuan Club (China), and Australia, while Group B consists of Vietnam U21, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China), and U21 Thailand.
Despite strong home support and high expectations, Vietnam were unable to overcome the defending champions, who secured their third consecutive win over Vietnam in a regional final, following previous victories in 2014 and 2023.
The event, part of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy strategy through 2030, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela and USM’s Faculty of International Relations. It attracted thousands of students from universities across Venezuela.
For the first time, Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to experience the ballet masterpiece "Don Quixote" in its original version by renowned choreographer Marius Petipa.
The contest carried deep meaning as it was the first time the life of Vietnamese women abroad had been highlighted as the central theme, said poet and writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association.
The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July.
Creative cultural festivals are fast emerging as a new catalyst for tourism development in Vietnam, as localities increasingly invest in these vibrant events on a more systematic and larger scale.
This marks the first time Vietnam has hosted a continental-level Muay event which will feature competitions across 28 weight categories in combat and eight performance categories.
Coming to the Vietnamese booth, visitors had the chance to take part in a bamboo dance, a workshop on painting woven bamboo or rattan, or quizzes about Vietnam.
A dancing performance at the SEA Games 31 closing ceremony on May 23 (Photo: VNA) 
The SEA Games host flag is handed over to Cambodia, where the next Games will take place in 2023. (Photo: VNA) 
