The Vietnamese Sports Delegation in the Southern region held a ceremony to depart for the 33rd SEA Games.

VHO - On the morning of November 21 in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnamese Sports Delegation in the Southern region held a ceremony to send off their troops to participate in the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand. The event was meant to encourage the spirit, affirm the determination and responsibility of the coaches and athletes before the journey to conquer the largest sports arena in the region.

The delegation offered flowers to President Ho Chi Minh at Uncle Ho's Monument Park.

Attending the launching ceremony were member of the Party Central Committee, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Duoc. Also attending were leaders of the Vietnam Sports Administration; leaders of the City Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City, National Sports Training Center, and representatives of units and members of the Vietnam Sports Delegation in the Southern region.

The launching ceremony was held according to the Plan of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee and the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism within the framework of the 2025 International Martial Arts Festival with the theme "Vietnamese Martial Arts - Connecting Peace ".

Delegates attending the Departure Ceremony

The program not only marked the completion of preparations by the Southern forces but also demonstrated the deep concern of the Central and City leaders for those performing national duties at the 33rd SEA Games.

From 6:30 a.m., delegates and members of the Vietnam Sports Delegation in the Southern region performed the flower offering ceremony to President Ho Chi Minh at the Uncle Ho Monument Park.

Deputy Director of the Vietnam Sports Administration Nguyen Hong Minh highly appreciated the role of the Southern teams at the 33rd SEA Games.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Sports Department, Head of the Vietnam Sports Delegation at the 33rd SEA Games Nguyen Hong Minh said that the 33rd SEA Games will have about 12,500 athletes competing in 50 sports with 574 events. Vietnam aims to win 90 to 100 gold medals, maintaining its position in the top 3 of the delegation.

Mr. Nguyen Hong Minh expressed his hope that the Southern region teams will continue to be the largest source of medals for the country's sports, such as the impressive achievement at the 32nd SEA Games when the Southern team brought home 60/132 gold medals of the entire delegation.

Mr. Nguyen Hong Minh also emphasized the core role of the Southern force in many Congresses. Ho Chi Minh City and the Southern provinces always contribute a large number of high-quality athletes, especially in key sports such as athletics, swimming, gymnastics, fencing, Taekwondo, Karatedo, etc.

Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Ho Chi Minh City Nguyen Nam Nhan said that the Southern teams will try their best to compete at the 33rd SEA Games.

Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City Nguyen Nam Nhan said: “At the 33rd SEA Games, Ho Chi Minh City continues to contribute 59 coaches and 258 athletes, participating in 37/45 sports that Vietnam registered. The provinces of Dong Nai, Tay Ninh, Can Tho, ... also added strong forces in martial arts, rowing, water sports and many team sports.

Many prominent faces from the South continue to be the great hopes of the Vietnamese delegation such as Chau Tuyet Van, Nguyen Thi My Hanh (Taekwondo), Nguyen Hoai Van (athletics), Truong Thi Phuong (Canoeing), Nguyen Quang Thuan (swimming), etc. The women's football, women's basketball, men's futsal or handball teams with the core from Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Tay Ninh, are all fighting teams with a lot of spirit and courage.

Athletes' representatives take oath at the Departure Ceremony

Mr. Nguyen Nam Nhan expressed that in the context that many provinces and cities in the North and Central regions have just experienced natural disasters, affecting the lives and preparation work, the efforts of athletes and coaches at this time have even greater meaning, demonstrating the spirit of resilience, responsibility and pride.

Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Duoc presented the flag to the representative of the outstanding athletes at the Departure Ceremony.

Also at the Departure Ceremony, representing the athletes of the Southern region teams, athlete Lieu Gia Kien of the handball team made a speech promising that the whole team will fight with all their might, demonstrate the noble sportsmanship, contribute and preserve the beautiful image of the Vietnamese people in Thailand.

Delegates, coaches and athletes of the teams took souvenir photos, showing their determination.

On this occasion, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee also awarded 300 million VND to the National Sports Training Center to encourage athletes and coaches who are training there before participating in the 33rd SEA Games.

The Southern teams showed confidence and spirit.

The departure ceremony ended with a flag-giving ceremony and souvenir photo-taking, opening a new journey with the faith, spirit and determination of the Southern force - those who will make an important contribution to the goal of competing successfully at the 33rd SEA Games of the Vietnam Sports Delegation.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/doan-the-thao-viet-nam-khu-vuc-phia-nam-lam-le-xuat-quan-tham-du-sea-games-33-182882.html