Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Nguyen Ngoc Thien, has encouraged each member of the Vietnamese sports contingent to effectively perform the role as a goodwill ambassador of Vietnam to the people of the Southeast Asian (SEA) countries.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Nguyen Ngoc Thien presents the national flag to Tran Duc Phan, Head of the Vietnamese SEA Games delegation.
The official
made the statement while addressing a send-off, held in Hanoi on August 8, for
the national sports delegation ahead of their departure for Malaysia to attend
the 29th SEA Games.
He praised
the athletes and coaches for their efforts and determination in overcoming
difficulties during the training process over the past few months in
preparation for the Games.
Thien asked
that all of the members of the contingent be fully aware of their
responsibilities, as well as the honour entrusted on them by the Party and
State, in order to successfully fulfill their tasks at the largest regional
sporting event.
At the
ceremony, the minister handed over the national flag and flowers, accompanied
by his hope for success, to Tran Duc Phan, Deputy Director of the General Department
of Sports and Physical Training and Head of the Vietnamese SEA Games
delegation.
Fencer Vu
Thanh An, who will be given the honour of holding the Vietnamese national flag
at the opening ceremony of the 29th SEA Games, represented 476 Vietnamese athletes
to take the oath, demonstrating a strong will and determination to achieve
victories at the Games.
As a
practice, prior to any significant international and regional Games, a send-off
is held by the sports sector with the aim of stimulating the spirit of the
Vietnamese athletes, encouraging them to compete to the best of their abilities
in order to bring glory to the homeland.
The 29th SEA Games is
scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from August 19 to 31,
featuring a total of 404 disciplines across 38 sports.
Vietnam will send a delegation consisting of 681
members to participate in the event, with 476 athletes competing in 276
disciplines in 32 sports, with the target of a top-three place in the overall
medal tally.
Fencer Vu Thanh An represents Vietnamese athletes in taking the oath.
Source: NDO
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