33rd SEA Games closes with resonant celebration of champions

22/12/2025 10:42:23 AM

Themed “The Sound of Champions”, the event conveyed a powerful message of determination, success, and friendship among athletes from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)



The fireworks display at the closing ceremony of the 33rd SEA Games on the evening of December 20. (Photo: VNA)

The 33rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), hosted by Thailand, officially concluded with an impressive and emotional closing ceremony held on the evening of December 20 at Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok.

The ceremony was attended by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister Thammanat Phromphao, Minister of Tourism and Sports Attakorn Sirilatthayakon, senior Thai sports officials, leaders of the Southeast Asian Games Federation, as well as heads of delegations, athletes and officials from participating countries.

Themed “The Sound of Champions”, the event conveyed a powerful message of determination, success, and friendship among athletes from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It combined music, the sporting spirit, and the Thai national pride into a visually striking performance that left a lasting impression.

Proceedings began with a minute of silence in remembrance of Queen Mother Sirikit, followed by a spectacular light, sound and visual performance titled “Echoes of the Whistle”. Featuring well-known Thai artists such as Tah-U Pittaya and Kratae R-Siam, the performance celebrated victory and sporting excellence, creating a vibrant and memorable atmosphere. A parade of athletes from all 54 sports then entered the stadium before Deputy Prime Minister Thammanat Phromphao, on behalf of the host nation, delivered a summary of the Games.

At the ceremony, Associate Professor Pimol Srivikrom, President of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, handed over the SEA Games flag to Kong-Ek Chaipak Siriwat, Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of the Southeast Asian Games Federation. The flag was subsequently presented to Dr. Mohammed Taufik bin Johari, Malaysia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, representing the host country of the 34th SEA Games.
 

The 33rd SEA Games standings (Photo: baochinhphu.vn)

At the 33rd SEA Games, host Thailand topped the medal table for the first time in a decade, since the 2015 Games in Singapore. The Thai delegation collected a total of 233 gold, 154 silver, and 112 bronze medals from 573 events, securing the first place overall for the 14th time. This also set a new record for the highest number of gold medals won at a SEA Games, surpassing Vietnam’s previous record of 205 golds at the 31st SEA Games in 2022.

The Vietnamese sports delegation at the closing ceremony of the 33rd SEA Games (Photo: VNA)
 
Speaking to the Vietnamese media covering the Games, Nguyen Hong Minh, head of the Vietnamese sports delegation, said Vietnam had fulfilled its three key objectives: maintaining and enhancing its position among the region’s best, making breakthroughs in key disciplines, especially Olympic sports, and projecting the image of a civilised, professional and disciplined delegation in the eyes of international friends.

The 33rd SEA Games saw nine of the ten participating delegations win at least one gold medal, with Timor-Leste the only exception. A notable downside was Cambodia’s withdrawal shortly after the opening ceremony on December 9, citing security concerns amid the escalating border tensions with Thailand.

Thailand will prepare to host the 13th ASEAN Para Games from January 20 to 26, 2026, in Nakhon Ratchasima province. The Games will feature 19 sports and 534 medal events.

The 34th SEA Games will be hosted by Malaysia from September 18 to 29, 2027, across four cities – Kuala Lumpur, Sarawak, Penang, and Johor with 38 sports planned for competition.

Vietnam+
 


VIEW MORE
Image

Thailand launches 33rd SEA Games with dazzling opening

The ceremony not only showcased Thailand's readiness as host, but also reaffirmed the....

Image

SAE Games 33: U22 Vietnam claim 3 points with opening victory over Laos

U22 Vietnam opened their SEA Games 33 journey with a 2-1 victory over....

Image

U17 Vietnam: Asian Cup Final

Vietnam wins berth to 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup Finals

Image

Major stadium project breaks ground, set to host international events

A high-class 60,000-seat stadium, a Việt Nam sports' symbolic construction will be build....

Image

Malaysia's looming FIFA ban and the lessons for ASEAN football

Hefty fines and a possible ban of the whole association, as well as....

Image

Thailand unveils plans for SEA Games 33 and ASEAN Para Games 13

The host country announced that SEA Games 33 will take place from December....

Image

VIETNAM MAKE HISTORY WITH FIRST-EVER SEA V LEAGUE TITLE AFTER EPIC COMEBACK 3-2 WIN AGAINST THAILAND

“We lost a tough 2-3 match to Vietnam,” admitted Thai captain Ajcharaporn

Image

U23 Vietnam returned home with the championship trophy, wrapping up a perfect journey at the ASEAN U-23 Mandiri Cup 2025

On July 31, the U23 Vietnam team returned home, officially concluding a successful....

Image

Việt Nam target third straight ASEAN U23 title

Coach Kim Sang-sik confirmed that hosts Indonesia and former winners Thailand are Việt....

Image

Việt Nam have to improve scoring skills for Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers: coach

Supported by thousands of loyal fans at the Việt Trì Stadium in Phú....

Image

Malaysia thrash Vietnam 4-0 in historic Asian Cup qualifier win, first victory in 11 years over rivals

The national football team walked away winners for the first time in 11....

Image

Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers: Vietnam vs Malaysia

The Vietnam team will face Malaysia in the second match of the 2027....

Image

Da Nang to expand water recreation activities to boost tourism

This move is seen as a practical step in Da Nang’s tourism development....

Image

Vietnam U17 keep World Cup hopes alive after draw against Japan

An extra-time penalty secured a 1-1 draw for Vietnam against Japan in the....

Image

BritCham Fun Run 2025: 6.000 Participants

On March 30, the BritCham Fun Run 2025, sponsored by Unilever Vietnam, attracted....

Image

HCM CITY RALLY TO WIN: ENTER AFC's WOMEN's CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMIS

HCM City made up an amazing comeback to advance to the semi-finals of....

Image

FIFA ranking boost: Vietnam advances after win against Cambodia

A 2-1 win against Cambodia on FIFA Days helps Vietnam climb one spot....

Image

HCM City FC prepare for AFC Women's Champions League knockout round

The club have announced the signing of two American players for the striker....

Image

BRITCHAM: FUN RUN 2025

The BritCham Fun Run 2025 event will take place in Ho Chi Minh....

Image

Tien Linh, Thuy Trang win Vietnam Golden Ball 2024

Striker Nguyen Tien Linh and midfielder Tran Thi Thuy Trang have won the....

Image

Naturalised Striker Nguyễn Xuân Son close to ready to compete again

According to doctors, Son is expected to return to normal training with his....

Image

Ethiopian farmer Damte wins, Lệ defends title at HCM City Midnight

Wendwesen Damte will use his bonus to expand his farm in his hometown,....

Image

Learner to master: Tien joins Nadal in record books, makes Australian Open history

Tien, 19, is youngest man to reach R4 at AO in 20 years....

Image

Australian Open: American teen Learner Tien stuns Daniil Medvedev

The 4-hour, 49-minute contest had a bit of everything

Image

AFF CUP: VIETNAM 3rd CHAMPIONSHIP

Coach Kim Sang Sik: “Thank you to the players for not giving up,....

Image

ASEAN Cup: Vietnam beat Myanmar 5-0, take on Singapore in semi-finals

Vietnam clinched an impressive 5-0 victory over Myanmar on December 21 evening, retaining....

Image

AFF CUP: Vietnam beat Indonesia to take

Vietnam edged Indonesia 1-0 on Sunday to take a firm grip on Group....

Image

AFF cup 2024 Kickoff

Asnawi gives Indonesia slim win; Vietnam victorious in Vientiane

Image

Nguyễn Thanh Bình, first Vietnamese woman to conquer Ama Dablam

Known as one of the most beautiful peaks in the world, Ama Dablam....

Image

The infamous reputation keeps on increasing

Another blow to Vietnamese football last week, as LPBank Hoàng Anh Gia Lai....

Image

Rocktober 2024: Attracts climbing enthusiasts

Around 150 rock-climbing lovers partook in Rocktober 2024, Việt Nam’s largest annual “rock-climbing....

Image

VBA Final: Saigon Heat Clinches Fifth Consecutive Championship

With a dominant 3-0 sweep over Cantho Catfish in the finals

Image

Việt Nam take three titles at World Pickleball Championship Series

Vietnamese athletes won three titles from the ongoing World Pickleball Championship Series in....

Image

HEAT ONE STEP CLOSER TO FIFTH VBA CHAMPIONSHIP

On Thursday night, at Nguyễn Du Gymnasium, Dakota Zinser of the Catfish had....

Image

VBA Playoffs 2024: Catfish return to Finals after five years

Steals, blocks, technical fouls, fouling out, sweat and even blood all happened in....

Image

V.LEAGUE 01: Quang Nam vs HAGL is indeed a key match

The team that made the biggest impression in round 1 of V-League 2024/2025....

Image

Vietnamese golfer to compete in Junior Presidents Cup 2024

Teenage golfer Nguyen Anh Minh of Vietnam has been invited to participate in....

;