Phnom Penh SEA Games season

The 32nd SEA Games is an unbeatable opportunity to attract domestic and foreign tourists, bringing in large revenues for the host country and at the same time promoting the image of Cambodia, which is constantly changing, while preserving and promoting the traditional values of the ancient Angkor civilization.

After more than 10 years of returning to work in Cambodia, we felt that the roads in Phnom Penh were more crowded and bustling but there was very little car horns. The traffic was still somewhat chaotic but from cars, technology tuktuks to motorbikes, they always gave way to each other. The 32nd SEA Games were held so the streets seemed more crowded with convoys of cars carrying officials and sports delegations but there was rarely any congestion, even during rush hour.

Reporter of Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper (right) and Head of the 32nd SEA Games Communications Subcommittee Nguyen Tuyet Hoa

Vietnamese reporters came to cover the SEA Games in the largest number among the international media. Many Cambodians who speak Vietnamese have supported us a lot - from renting motorbikes to each competition venue to showing us where to eat, at reasonable prices of course. The clasped hands and the words "Orkun" (thank you) heard from both sides made the 32nd SEA Games lighter and more meaningful.

"Khmer Smile" is a chapter that created a strong impression in the opening ceremony of the 32nd SEA Games and in everyday life, smiles are always seen on the lips of every citizen, organizing committee staff, security team, and the volunteer force of more than 7,000 people, mostly university students, young, dynamic, generous and good at English.

Having successfully organized the 31st SEA Games last year, it is understandable that Vietnam enthusiastically sent many professional advisors, leading sports managers and event organization experts to support Cambodia in the preparation process for hosting the 32nd SEA Games. Many Cambodian sports delegations came to Vietnam for training and achieved many remarkable achievements in sports such as Vovinam, athletics, etc.

Volunteers participating in supporting SEA Games 32. Photo: QUANG LIEM

The head coach of the Cambodian carom billiards team is Vietnamese and Le Phuoc Minh Dien, a familiar name in the billiards community in Ho Chi Minh City, is proud to have brought his student Sruong Pheavy to the 3-cushion carom billiards gold medal at the 32nd SEA Games.

It is impossible not to mention former journalist Nguyen Tuyet Hoa, who is in charge of communications at the 32nd SEA Games. As a former sports reporter, Tuyet Hoa has participated in many leading sporting events in Vietnam such as the 23rd SEA Games, the 2016 Asian Beach Games, the 31st SEA Games, and this time she is in charge of the most important part to contribute to promoting the 32nd SEA Games and wholeheartedly supporting the Vietnamese and international media in reporting on the games.

The capital Phnom Penh is living in a bustling atmosphere brought by the biggest sports festival in Southeast Asia. As for visitors like us, we can clearly feel the peace and friendliness when setting foot in this country.

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