The 25th Southeast Asian Games officially began with a bright and colourful cultural performance at the Main Stadium of the National Sports Complex in Laos yesterday.

The 25th SEA Games officially began with a bright and colourful cultural performance at the Main Stadium of the National Sports Complex in Laos on December 9. (Photo: VNN)

More than 8,000 dancers and artists, who had been preparing for the opening ceremony for seven months, joined in the cultural performance during the ceremony. Approximately 20,000 supporters and more than 4,860 athletes from 11 Southeast Asian countries attended the event.

According to Deputy Minister of Culture and Information Bouang Saphouvong, Laos was well prepared for the ceremony.

One hundred vocalists united to sing the SEA Games’ official song The Spirit of the Flame at the opening ceremony.

Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen, Myanmar’s PM Thein Sein, Thailand’s PM Abhisit Vejjajiva, and PM Nguyen Tan Dung of Viet Nam also attended the ceremony last night.

Lao President Choummaly Sayasone officially announced the beginning of the SEA Games last night.

Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad, who is head of the 25th SEA Games organising committee, gave a speech to welcome the athletes and visitors.

“This is the first time, Laos has organised a SEA Games,” he said. “We want to express our thanks to our friends, as well as to the International Olympic Committee for helping us organise the Games”.

Vietnamese athletes and officials march during the opening ceremony of the 25th Southeast Asian Games which is held for the first time in Laos. The 430-strong team aims to earn 70 gold medals to reach top three. (Photo: VNN)

Laos will host approximately 11,000 tourists coming to the country during the 10-day event, which will conclude on December 18.

The Lao Government has invested US$4 million for the opening and closing ceremonies.

Laos hopes that the SEA Games this year will help introduce the world to the traditional culture of the Lao people.

The president of the Asian Sepak Takraw Federation, Abdul Halim Kader of Singapore, expressed his satisfaction with the competition at sepak takraw events on Tuesday.

Laos sent a 743-member squad to compete at the SEA Games, which they hope will win 25 gold medals.

Laos’s U-23 football team had an amazing win at a SEA Games when they beat Indonesia 2-0.

The host will make it to the final for the first time if they hold Singapore to a draw in the last qualifying match today.

Thailand is sending the biggest team to the Games, with more than 842 athletes, coaches and officials, who hope to defend their dominant legacy.

The smallest delegation was sent by East Timor, who is taking part in the SEA Games for the second time with only 77 members.

Viet Nam is one of the strongest teams at the competition. The 430-member team hopes to finish in the top three at the competition. The team also hopes to win at least 70 gold medals.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News