The event featured the participation of Politburo member and Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Vuong Dinh Hue and Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien, along with thousands of coaches and athletes of Vietnamese sports.

Delegates press the button to start the one-year countdown to the 31st SEA Games.

In his remarks, Minister Thien, head of the SEA Games 2021’s organising committee, emphasised that in the context of continuously coping with the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam pledges its utmost efforts to prepare for and successfully organise the Games, thus demonstrating solidarity, friendship and mutual understanding between ASEAN member nations.

The official website of 31st SEA Games and 11th ASEAN Para Games, hanoi2021.com, was announced at the ceremony. Accordingly, all the official information about the two Games, hosting venues and competition schedules will be published on the website.

Saola, the official mascot of the Games, also debuted at the event.

Saola, the mascot of the 31st SEA Games and 11th ASEAN Para Games, debuts at the kick-off ceremony.

After performing the ritual to start the countdown to the largest regional sporting event, delegates and athletes ran together around Hoan Kiem Lake in response to the 31st SEA Games.

The 31st SEA Games will take place from November 21 to December 2, 2021, in Hanoi and a number of adjacent localities. It is expected to feature more than 520 categories across 40 sports, as announced at the second virtual meeting of the Southeast Asian Games Federation Council on November 19-20.

Saola might be Vietnam’s mascot for 2021 SEA Games, Para Games

The General Department of Sports and Physical Training has suggested making the saola the mascot of the 2021 SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games.

B-Boy beats the odds to win SEA Games silver

Hip-hop fan Le Huu Phuoc shares how breakdancing first ensnared him and the obstacles he faced to become a 2019 SEA Games medalist.

Viên to go for gold at SEA Games 31

Vietnam’s top swimmer Nguyen Thi Anh Vien will be the country's main medal hope at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games 31 to be held in Vietnam next year.

Thanh aims for SEA Games marathon gold

About a hundred metres before prior to the finish line, Hoang Nguyen Thanh pulled out a tiny national flag and waived to celebrate his victory in the 2020 national marathon championship.

Three stadiums to host 2021 SEA Games men’s football in Vietnam

Two stadiums in Hanoi and one in nearby Nam Dinh Province have been chosen to host men’s football matches in next year’s SEA Games.