The lotus dance involving a great deal of artists in combination with the graphic image projection technology showcases SEA Games 31’s symbols. (Photo: VNA)

The homepage of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) ran an article entitled “Opening ceremony lights up Hanoi in a spectacular celebration of Southeast Asia as SEA Games officially begin”. It describes the brilliant and magnificent opening ceremony of the Games at My Dinh National Stadium on Thursday evening. “The Games came to life in a flourish of colour, dance and performance, all under the banner of the Games slogan 'For A Stronger Southeast Asia',” reads the article. “Highlights included a beautiful lotus dance representing inspiration, aspiration, and strength, and the unveiling of 11 woodcut folk paintings accompanied by a dance,” it said. 

 The AFP reported “Vietnam set off a spectacle of lights, dance and music at Thursday's opening ceremony of the SEA Games, brushing aside gloomy weather to launch a party-like atmosphere.”

The Star of Malaysia wrote that the opening ceremony of SEA Games 31 showed the solidarity of all countries in the bloc, which has grown stronger over the year.

Thai newspaper, Siam Sport, wrote that Vietnam mobilized more than 1,000 performers for the opening ceremony, who have made a strong impression with their own cultural identity and traditions, reflecting the strength of the people of ASEAN through modern technology.

The Straits Times newspaper, which has the biggest publication in Singapore, wrote: “The SEA Games returned to Vietnam for the first time in almost 20 years on Thursday night (May 12) with a dazzling light show and spectacular pyrotechnics witnessed by more than 20,000 spectators in a packed My Dinh Stadium.”