A Vietnamese delegation to the 29^th Southeast Asia Games (SEA Games 29) took part in a flag-hoisting ceremony held at Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on August 16.

Vietnamese flag flies at a flag-hoisting ceremony for SEA Games 29 (Photo: VNA)

The ceremony officially marks the presence of Vietnamese competitors at the region’s largest sport events. More than 470 Vietnamese athletes are ready to compete in 32 out of 38 sports events, including 4 paid games of bowling, hockey, cricket and synchronised swimming.

According to the Deputy Director of the General Department of Sports and Physical Training, Mr  Tran Duc Phan, who is head of Viet Nam’s SEA Games delegation, the Vietnamese athletes will strive to bring home a total of 49-59 gold medals from this international sports event in order to rank in the top group at the biennial event.

Previously, Viet Nam had targeted a goal of at least 65 golds and then adjusted it as Malaysia, the host country, decided to remove events of Viet Nam’s strength like wrestling, rowing, canoeing, women’s boxing, women’s fencing and women’s weightlifting.

The delegation will also make utmost efforts to effectively perform the role as a goodwill ambassador of Viet Nam to the people of Southeast Asian countries, Phan added.

In the previous Games in Singapore, Viet Nam stood third, with 73 golds, 53 silvers and 60 bronzes in total.

The 29^th SEA Games will see the participation of 4,888 athletes from 11 countries in Southeast Asia.

(Source: VNA/ DA NANG Today)