The Hanoi People's Council has stepped up supervision and preparations for the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) as the event is only two and a half months away.
The move aims to evaluate the status of the constructions, and facilities in Hanoi for the SEA Games.
The capital city has been working with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to prepare the opening and closing ceremonies as well as other activities related to the Games.
The gymnasium of Hanoi's Thanh Tri District is being upgraded to host basketball matches of the 31st SEA Games. Photo: Thanh Dat |
Hanoi’s police will coordinate with the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Transport in developing a detailed plan to ensure political security, social order, and safety before, during, and after the events.
The People’s Committee of Hanoi has also outlined three Covid-19 prevention and control scenarios to ensure the successful opening and closing ceremonies of the SEA Games 31.
Under the plans, the ceremonies will be held with the attendance of no more than 50% of the facilities' capacities, or in bubbles to ensure the safety of spectators and officials at the events.
The event will be supported by hundreds of volunteers and, to an extent, all citizens of the capital, as the city will decorate the roads and encourage everyone to help build the image of Hanoi as an attractive, safe, and friendly destination.
The SEA Games 31, themed “For a stronger South East Asia”, will run from May 12 to 23 in Hanoi and 11 neighboring localities, namely Hai Phong, Bac Ninh, Hai Duong, Quang Ninh, Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh, Vinh Phuc, Phu Tho and Bac Giang.
It will feature 40 sports with 526 medal events and expect to attract around 10,000 athletes and officials from 11 Southeast Asian countries.
The SEA Games were originally scheduled to run from November 21 to December 2, 2021. However, it was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
This is the second time Vietnam has hosted the Southeast Asian Games with the last being in 2003. At the 30th SEA Games in 2019, Vietnam finished second in the overall medal tally, with 98 golds, 85 silvers and 105 bronzes, following the host country, the Philippines.
