The Vietnamese sports delegation departs for the 33rd SEA Games.

A group of Vietnamese athletes at Noi Bai Airport - Photo: TTVN

At 7:00 AM on December 7th, a farewell ceremony for the Vietnamese sports delegation departing for the 33rd SEA Games took place at Noi Bai Airport ( Hanoi ) .

Under the leadership of team leader Nguyen Hong Minh, 81 members, including team officials, coaches, and athletes from the cycling, canoeing, swimming, jet skiing, sepak takraw, and gymnastics teams, set off this morning.

Including the groups departing from Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, a total of 113 members of the Vietnamese sports delegation set off today, bringing the total number of teams traveling to Thailand to 16.

The Vietnamese sports delegation participating in the 33rd SEA Games consists of 1,165 members, including 842 athletes, 189 coaches, and 19 experts, competing in 47 out of 66 sports, with 443 out of a total of 573 events.

Team leader Nguyen Hong Minh emphasized that the entire delegation set off with the highest determination, carrying within them the will, enthusiasm, and spirit of Vietnam to overcome their limitations and aim for the highest achievements.

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Wearing the red uniform of the Vietnamese sports delegation, rower Nguyen Thi Huong shared that canoeing was not included in the competition program at the previous SEA Games, so at the 33rd SEA Games, she and her teammates are even more determined to strive for the highest possible achievement and bring glory to the country.

As one of the doctors caring for the athletes during the Games, Dr. Nguyen Van Trien (Vietnam Sports Hospital) was moved: "Even though I've accompanied the Vietnamese sports delegation seven times, I'm still deeply moved each time. Not only me, but all the doctors and technicians in the delegation will strive to provide the best possible care for the athletes so they can achieve the highest possible results."

The Vietnamese sports delegation aims to win between 91 and 110 gold medals at the 33rd SEA Games, ranking in the top 3 of the overall medal standings.

Previously, at the 32nd SEA Games in 2023 in Cambodia, Vietnamese sports won 136 gold medals, topping the overall medal table for the first time at a SEA Games not held on Vietnamese territory. Thailand won 108 gold medals, and Indonesia came third with 86 gold medals.

Below are photos of the farewell ceremony for the Vietnamese sports delegation at Noi Bai Airport on the morning of December 7th:

Head of the Vietnamese sports delegation at the 33rd SEA Games, Nguyen Hong Minh, speaks at the farewell ceremony for the delegation on the morning of December 7th.

The athletes are going through the procedures at Noi Bai Airport.

Farewell ceremony for the Vietnamese sports delegation departing for the 33rd SEA Games at Noi Bai Airport.

Mr. Nguyen Danh Hoang Viet (left) - Director of the Department of Sports and Physical Education - congratulates the Vietnamese sports delegation athletes on their departure.