The grand opening ceremony opened the 33rd SEA Games
At 7 p.m. today (December 9), the opening flare of the 33rd SEA Games will appear at Rajamangala Stadium (Bangkok), where host Thailand has prepared a banquet with full cultural, musical and sports colors to create a regional-class opening ceremony, "treating" Southeast Asian fans in particular and the world in general.
At the opening ceremony of the 33rd SEA Games, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana and Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana will appear in the welcome of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and senior officials.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana attend the opening ceremony of the 33rd SEA Games
PHOTO: REUTERS
Unlike the explosive opening of previous SEA Games, the opening ceremony of the 33rd SEA Games will be more subdued, as the organizers conduct a memorial service for Queen Mother Sirikit, creating a rare emotional highlight in a sports opening ceremony.
The SEA Games opening ceremony promises to be an impressive performance, combining traditional classical culture with modern technology. As the host, Thailand has built the opening ceremony based on the idea of "We are one", emphasizing the unity of the entire Southeast Asian region. The word "One" is used to convey three meanings: unity, being number one in victory, and also a new beginning.
The SEA Games returns to Thailand, where the regional sporting event was born 66 years ago, in 1959 as the SEAP Games. This edition is therefore considered a “Homecoming” moment, a return to the starting point, paving the way for a new chapter in the history of the SEA Games.
The opening ceremony will feature five performances, each with its own unique highlight, affirming Thai cultural identity. The show will be grandly opened, taking the audience back in time to the origins of the SEA Games and rekindling passion for sports.
Another segment of the opening ceremony will focus on the strength and determination in the fighting spirit of the athletes, expressed through powerful choreography combined with advanced performance technology.
Waiting for a colorful performance at the opening ceremony of SEA Games 33
PHOTO: THE NATION
The next highlight will be to celebrate friendship and common victories across the region, aiming to give viewers a deep sense of pride in Thai talent, creativity, technology, performance, music and sports.
Audiences can also expect an immersive experience with large-scale visuals, lighting, sound, multimedia and special effects, along with friendship and unity among the 11 countries participating in the Southeast Asian Games.
One of the most anticipated moments of the evening was the performance of Thai star BamBam Kunpimook, who prepared a special program just for the ceremony.
The performance lineup also features many other world-famous Thai artists, including performing athletes, beauty queens, and many entertainers, singers, musicians, and songwriters such as Jeff Satur, Suchata "Opal" Chuangsri, Proxie, LYKN, BNK48, and Butterbear.
The final night will feature a new form of lighting of the SEA Games torch, which is expected to become one of the iconic images of the 33rd SEA Games. While previous SEA Games often emphasized the message of "green flame" and environmental factors, this year Thailand chose the Royal symbol as the highlight.
The flame has passed through many provinces, passed through the hands of nearly 300 people as a journey connecting the past, present and future of Thai sports, before reaching Rajamangala Stadium. In the final stage, three representative faces including Panipak Wongpattanakit (2020, 2024 Olympic Taekwondo Gold Medal), Somjit Jongjohor (2008 Olympic Boxing Gold Medal) and 12-year-old talent Vareeraya Sukasem - an athlete who participated in the 2024 Olympics - will light the cauldron together.
The Vietnamese sports delegation raised the flag high at the opening ceremony.
The opening ceremony of the 33rd SEA Games will witness a parade of 11 sports delegations, with the Vietnamese and Thai delegations departing last.
The two athletes assigned to carry the flag for the Vietnamese Sports Delegation are Le Thanh Thuy (volleyball) and Le Minh Thuan (karate).
At the 33rd SEA Games, Vietnamese sports received a target of winning 90-110 gold medals, placing them in the top group in the region.
Vietnamese sports aim for 90-110 gold medals at SEA Games 33
PHOTO: VIETNAM SPORTS DELEGATION
At the ceremony to send off the Vietnamese sports delegation, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh assigned the Vietnamese sports delegation 3 important tasks. Firstly, each member must work hard, compete hard, surpass themselves, break their own records, with the greatest effort and highest determination; always consider each match and race as a final.
The second task is that each athlete must compete with a noble and fierce sportsmanship spirit, with absolute respect for opponents, referees and spectators. "Members of the Vietnamese sports delegation must demonstrate and spread the country's unique cultural features, which are nobility, friendliness, wisdom and civilization, contributing to strengthening the spirit of solidarity in the big Southeast Asian family," the Prime Minister instructed.
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung sent his regards and best wishes to the coaches and athletes of the Vietnamese sports delegation. The Minister hopes that each athlete will have the will in his head, the fire in his heart and the inner strength to overcome his own limits, strive to achieve the highest results, and bring glory to the Fatherland, as instructed by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the departure ceremony.
It is expected that before attending the opening ceremony of the 33rd SEA Games, at 9am on December 9, Minister Nguyen Van Hung will visit and encourage the competitive spirit of the coaches and athletes. The Minister's attention will be a great source of encouragement for the athletes to compete with all their might, surpass themselves, achieve the highest results, and bring glory to the Fatherland.
At the 33rd SEA Games, there were 5 Vietnamese sports teams competing. They were U.23 Vietnam, Vietnam women's team, baseball, handball and badminton.
SEA Games 33 takes place from December 9 to 20 in Thailand.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/khai-mac-sea-games-33-dai-hoi-cua-tinh-doan-ket-tren-toan-khu-vuc-dong-nam-a-185251209100317737.htm
![[Video] The craft of making Dong Ho folk paintings has been inscribed by UNESCO on the List of Crafts in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.](https://vphoto.vietnam.vn/thumb/402x226/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2025/12/10/1765350246533_tranh-dong-ho-734-jpg.webp)
Comment (0)