Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc welcomed members of the Vietnamese sports delegation, who competed at the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in the Philippines, to the Government Office on Sunday morning, hailng their accomplishments as an inspiration for the whole nation.

The group was part of the 568-athlete team that represented Vietnam to compete in 43 of the 56 sports at the 30th SEA Games, taking place from November 25 to December 10.

The team brought home 98 gold, 85 silver, and 105 bronze medals, and won the second position on the event’s final medal tally, exceeding Vietnam’s target of claiming at least 60 gold medals and ranking third.

It is also the country's best result at the Games since 2003, when Hanoi played host and finished first with 346 medals.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted Sunday’s reception at the Government Office, congratulating and recognizing each attendee for their achievements.

“The 30th SEA Games are a memorable and emotional SEA Games edition that brought pride to the people of Vietnam,” Phuc told the assembled athletes.

“The achievement of the Vietnamese sports delegation has sent an exciting atmosphere throughout the country."

The PM said he appreciated the hard work, effort, and passion the athletes brought to their sports.

Especially, he went on to single out individual athletes for praise, giving particular highlights on the accomplishments of female swimmer Nguyen Thi Anh Vien and marathon runner Pham Thi Hong Le.

Anh Vien was named the best woman athlete at the 30th SEA Games after winning six gold and two silver medals in swimming events while Le outdid herself with a silver and bronze medal in the women’s 10,000m and marathon races, respectively, and had to be hospitalized for exhaustion after finising the latter event.

PM Phuc also expressed his appreciation for the families and coaching members of the athletes for their “silent” contributions.

He also took time to encourage those who have not achieved high results at the 2019 SEA Games, suggesting better training plans for future competitions.

Earlier on December 11, PM Phuc also hosted a welcome party, as well as an intimate meeting, for both the Vietnamese men’s and women’s football teams upon their return to the country after each struck gold at the Games.

The banquet was held separately as the men’s football team had to leave for an overseas training camp right afterward.

The SEA Games are a biennial event governed by the Southeast Asian Games Federation under the supervision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Council of Asia.

The first edition of the event was held in 1959 and it has since grown to be one of the region’s largest sporting events, hosting athletes from the 11 countries in Southeast Asia.

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