SEA Games 31 opening ceremony to use fireworks

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has assigned Hanoi to conduct the fireworks show during the ceremony in accordance with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The opening ceremony of the 31st SEA Games will take place in two hours. After the introduction part, 11 delegations of the participating nations will commence a parade. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is expected to announce the start of the event.

Later, a torch relay between eight athletes will light up the cauldron. A performance named "For A Stronger Southeast Asia" with over 1,000 participants and five stages on an area of 7,000 square meters will then take place.

SEA Games 31 will be held in Vietnam from May 12 to 23 with 40 sports. This is Vietnam’s second time hosting a SEA Games event, after the first in 2003.

Hanoi is the main venue, along with 11 localities in northern Vietnam. There will be around 10,000 athletes, coaches and experts, along with 10,000-15,000 international tourists in Vietnam during this time.