The ceremony started with musical and cultural performances, followed by the singing of Vietnam’s national anthem.

The electrifying closing ceremony, powered by stunning light shows, was divided into three chapters to mark the rejuvenation of sports in the region after being halted since March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The sporting contingents, seated in the arena, were greeted with loud cheers from the spectators as their respective national flags were carried inside in alphabetical order.

After the parade of the mascots, referees and volunteers, the spectators were entertained with a video showing the highlights of the SEA Games action from May 6 till yesterday, though the biennial Games officially started only on May 12.

After Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh declared the Games officially closed, the cauldron was extinguished, paving the way for the Southeast Asian Games Federation and the SEA Games flags to be lowered and the federation flag handed over to Cambodia, who will host the 32nd Games.

Cambodia will host its first SEA Games from May 5-17 next year, with 40 sports pencilled in on the initial list.

While the Games ended with a flourish, the same cannot be said of Malaysia’s performance here as they finished sixth with 39 gold, 45 silvers and 90 bronzes, although that surpassed their 36-35-75 medal target.

Vietnam topped the medal chart with a massive 205-125-116 medal haul.