Competition venues are always crowded with audiences.

The SEA Games 31 proves that Vietnam is a safe and friendly destination, even as the COVID-19 pandemic continues globally. Its 40 sports, including 25 Olympic sports, drew thousands of regional athletes.

The Vietnamese delegation topped the medal table with 446 medals, including 205 gold medals. Thailand came second with 92 gold medals, and Indonesia third with 69 gold medals.

SEA Games 31 is not just a sports event. It’s a festival of Southeast Asian unity. Nguyen Thi Tinh, a Hanoi resident, said: “The matches were very exciting. The referees were fair. The athletes were enthusiastic and true fans were excited and true to the spirit of solidarity in Southeast Asia. We came to the matches in a spirit of justice and fairness, so we brought the flag of every country, as well as drums and gongs. We cheered for the athletes of every country.”

Vu Quoc Anh, a student of Hanoi Home Affairs University, watched the taekwondo matches: “I like taekwondo and love to watch the matches at SEA Games. After school, we got together and I cheered for my favorite athletes from Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand. It’s very exciting and fun.”

This was the second time Vietnam has hosted the SEA Games.