Vietnamese athletes depart for SEA Games 33 in Thailand

A send-off ceremony was held at Noi Bai International Airport for Vietnamese athletes ahead of their departure to Thailand for SEA Games 33 on December 7. (Photo: Bui Luong)

Vietnam’s sporting contingent departed for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 33) on the morning of December 7, following a send-off ceremony at Noi Bai International Airport.

A total of 113 members travelled from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang on the day. As of now, 16 national teams have already arrived in Thailand for the region’s biggest multi-sport event.

The morning flight carried 81 members led by Deputy Director of the Sports Authority of Vietnam Nguyen Hong Minh, including officials and athletes in cycling, canoeing, swimming, jet ski, sepak takraw and artistic gymnastics.

Vietnam is sending a 1,165-strong delegation to SEA Games 33, featuring 19 experts, 189 coaches, and 842 athletes, who will compete in 47 of 66 sports, across 443 of 573 medal events.

The delegation aims to bring home from 91 to 110 gold medals, striving to maintain a position among the top performers at the Games.

Members of the Vietnamese sports delegation attending the 33rd SEA Games showed their determination. (Photo: Bui Luong)

Speaking at the November 28 send-off ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed confidence that the Vietnamese athletes and coaches will compete with perseverance, resilience, and courage.

Each delegation member must embody the role of a “cultural ambassador”, helping spread the image of the Vietnamese people as compassionate, peace-loving, wise, and civilised, while strengthening solidarity, friendship, and cooperation with the peoples of Southeast Asian nations, he said.

SEA Games 33 will take place from December 9 to 20.

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