Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Nguyen Ngoc Thien (R) wishes Vietnam's athletes luck and success at the 30th SEA Games in the Philippines (Photo: VNA)

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Nguyen Ngoc Thien said the SEA Games is an important international sport event which strengthens relations and mutual understanding between ASEAN members and allows their athletes to prove their talents. Mr. Thien said: "I believe that Vietnam’s teams will stay focus and compete with confidence and solidarity to earn high achievements at the Games and prepare for the 31^st SEA Games to be hosted by Vietnam in 2021. I wish our athletes best of luck and great success."

Tran Duc Phan, Deputy Director of the General Department of Sports and Physical Training, who leads the national delegation, said Vietnam targets to bring home at least 65 gold medals to rank top in the region, and win big in Olympic sports like track and field, swimming, gymnastics, fencing, wrestling, and football.

The opening ceremony of the 30^th SEA Games will take place in Manila, the Philippines, on November 30.