Vietnam will compete in 47 out of 50 sports, with 443 out of 573 events. The delegation aims to win at least 90 gold medals and finish in the top 3 at SEA Games 33.

During the send-off ceremony at the Government Office this afternoon, 28/11, Minh, the Deputy Director of the Sports Authority of Vietnam (TDTT) and Head of the Vietnam delegation to SEA Games 33, stated that the target was carefully calculated despite difficulties. He explained, "Some key sports are rejuvenating their forces, so athletes lack experience. Additionally, we face fierce competition from host Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines."

The Vietnam women's team celebrates a SEA Games 32 gold medal at Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in 5/2023. *Duc Dong*.

Vietnam first participated in the SEA Games in 1989. The delegation won three gold medals, 11 silver medals, and five bronze medals, ranking seventh among nine delegations in the overall standings. In 2003, as the host nation, Vietnam finished first with 158 gold, 97 silver, and 91 bronze medals. Since then, Vietnam has consistently maintained a top 3 position, leading the medal count in the two most recent editions, 2021 and 2023.

Vietnam's best achievement was winning 205 gold medals in 2021 as the host nation. This was followed by 158 (2003), 136 (2023), 98 (2019), and 96 (2011).

After 18 editions of the Games, Vietnam has won 1,269 gold, 1,097 silver, and 1,221 bronze medals. This places Vietnam fourth in Southeast Asia, behind Malaysia (1,376 – 1,363 – 1,872), Indonesia (1,982 – 1,876 – 1,970), and Thailand (2,453 – 2,127 – 2,204).

The Vietnam sports delegation will attend SEA Games 33 with 1,165 members, including 841 athletes and 191 coaches. Of this contingent, 223 individuals are participating through socialized funding. The remaining costs, including airfare, excess baggage, domestic travel, accommodation, allowances, communication, visas, passports, and fees for office rental and training facilities, are covered by the TDTT.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh waves the flag at the send-off ceremony for the Vietnam sports delegation to SEA Games 33 at the Government Office in Hanoi, 28/11/2025. *Quy Luong*.

Vietnam will compete in sports including: athletics, artistic gymnastics, aerobic gymnastics, cycling, fencing, wrestling, triathlon, weightlifting, petanque, chess, shooting, archery, figure skating, speed skating, bowling, sport climbing, teqball, tug of war, and esports.

Martial arts disciplines include: karate, judo, taekwondo, pencak silat, muay Thai, ju-jitsu, kickboxing, boxing, wushu, and mixed martial arts (MMA). Ball and shuttlecock sports include: football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, table tennis, handball, baseball, golf, badminton, and sepaktakraw. Water sports include: swimming, diving, traditional boat race, sailing, canoeing, rowing, and jetski.

Athletics has the largest participation with 51 athletes out of 68 members. Its target is also the highest, aiming for 12 gold medals, matching the previous Games. In contrast, two of Vietnam's gold medal strongholds at SEA Games 32, diving (14 gold medals) and wrestling (13), will either not be held or have their event numbers reduced.

SEA Games 33 will take place from 9/12 to 20/12. Two sports, men's football groups A and B, along with equestrian polo, will begin on 3/12.

The two main host cities are Bangkok and Chonburi. Songkhla, however, had to cancel its hosting duties due to flooding, with its events relocated to Bangkok.

Hieu Luong