Closing ceremony of the 33rd SEA Games

The 33rd SEA Games concluded after approximately two weeks of competition. Photo: Quy Luong .

After an emotional journey, the 33rd SEA Games concluded with a vibrant artistic evening, spreading the spirit of unity and the aspiration for excellence in regional sports .

The highlight of the closing ceremony, themed "The Sound of Champions," featured two renowned Thai artists, Tah-U Pittaya Saechua and Kratae R-Siam. Their energetic songs celebrated resilience, fair play, and the pride of the young generation of Southeast Asia after a memorable Games.

Following the opening performance, the sports delegations marched into the Rajamangala Stadium. Notably, despite withdrawing all their athletes just one day after the opening ceremony of the 33rd SEA Games, the Cambodian delegation still appeared with their national flag and nameplate.

The Vietnamese sports delegation was quite small, with only a few dozen athletes. Most members returned home immediately after completing their competitions; only those athletes who competed until the very last day of the closing ceremony remained in Bangkok.

Following the closing speech by Thai Deputy Prime Minister Thamanat Prompow, the SEA Games torch was officially extinguished using a laser light display, marking the end of the Games. Immediately afterward, fireworks lit up the sky above the Rajamangala Stadium, creating an emotional farewell moment.

Vietnam finished third overall in the SEA Games 33. Photo: Quy Luong.

The SEA Games flag lowering ceremony and the handover of hosting rights to the next host nation was conducted solemnly. Malaysia received the Games flag, becoming the host nation for the 34th SEA Games in 2027. The Thai flag was lowered, followed by the moment the Malaysian flag was raised, along with the handover of the flag from the Southeast Asian Olympic Committee to the leader of the future host country.

Malaysia presented a spectacular artistic performance featuring artists and 60 dancers from various ethnic communities, as a friendly greeting to friends in the region. The 34th SEA Games are scheduled to take place in Malaysia from September 18th to 29th, 2027. Some sports such as wrestling, rowing, and canoeing will be removed from the competition program, while most other sports are expected to remain the same as in the 33rd SEA Games.

The 33rd SEA Games concluded after the competition day on December 20th, leaving many memorable impressions on the Vietnamese sports delegation. In the end, Vietnam won 87 gold medals, 81 silver medals, and 110 bronze medals, ranking third overall. Although not reaching the 90-gold medal mark, this achievement still shows a positive sign, with approximately 70% of the gold medals coming from Olympic sports, reflecting the depth and stability of Vietnamese sports.

Host nation Thailand topped the medal table with 233 gold medals, 154 silver medals, and 112 bronze medals, while Indonesia came second with 91 gold medals, 111 silver medals, and 131 bronze medals. Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines followed, concluding a SEA Games filled with emotion and impressive professional achievements.