SEA Games 31: World champion eyes first gold in badminton
Loh Kean Yew may have achieved great success becoming world champion after winning the World Badminton Championships last year, but the SEA Games gold medal continues to elude the Singaporean men’s singles ace.
Hanoi (VNA) – ♔Loh Kean Yew may have achieved great success becoming worldchampion after winning the World Badminton Championships last year, but the SEAGames gold medal continues to elude the Singaporean men’s singles ace.
He bagged a silver medal at the 2019 SEA Games and has sethis sight on winning his first-ever gold at the biennial regional sportingevent held in Vietnam this time. The shuttler is competing at the 2022 Thomas Cup Finalsuntil May 15. Speaking with reporters, the world No.10 underlined that theSEA Games gold is his target and he will just try his best. He made history when becoming the first Singaporean playerto win the World Badminton Championships. Badminton at SEA Games 31 will take place at Bac GiangSports Competition Hall from May 16 to 22. SEA Games 31, themed “For a Stronger South East Asia”, isbeing held in the Hanoi capital and 11 neighbouring provinces and cities untilMay 23. Featuring 40 sports with 523 events, it is expected toattract around 10,000 participants. The biennial event was initially slated forlate 2021 but delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic./.
The northern province of Bac Giang - the host of badminton matches of the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) from May 16-22, will allow free entry to all games.
Without stars, whether Malaysia’s badminton team can retain their men’s singles and doubles titles at the coming 31st SEA Games in Vietnam remains in doubt, and they are pinning hopes on young shuttlers.
Four top badminton players of Vietnam, including Nguyen Tien Minh and Nguyen Thuy Linh, are competing at the Badminton Asia Championships 2022 from April 26 – May 1 in the Philippines, according to the SEA Games 31's Organising Committee.
Bodybuilder Pham Van Mach joins badminton player Nguyen Tien Minh as few athletes to compete in the upcoming SEA Games 31 and they had previously participated in SEA Games 22 which was also hosted by Vietnam in 2003.
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.
These are impressive achievements, not only showing the efforts and prowess of Vietnamese paddlers but also serving as proof of the sports sector’s strategic and systematic investment.
Badminton player Loh Kean Yew (Photo: Reuters) 
