Hanoi begins one year countdown to the 2021 Southeast Asian Games

The Vietnamese capital of Hanoi began the one year countdown to its hosting of the 2021 Southeast Asian Games on Saturday. SEA Games Hanoi organising committee head Nguyen Ngoc Thien said Vietnam will do its best to make Southeast Asia's top multisport event a success despite the difficulties posed by COVID-19 pandemic.

The launch event featured traditional Vietnamese dance performances, a parade through the streets of Hanoi and an appearance by the 2021 SEA Games mascot Saola, a rare deer-like animal first found in Vietnam in 1992. The 31st edition of the Southeast Asian Games are scheduled from November 21st to December 2nd, 2021.