Hours before the beach handball match between Vietnam and the Philippines, Tran Viet Bach and more than 30 other volunteers were present at Tuan Chau beach to prepare the playing ground and spectator zone and guide the players to their competition venues. When the matches ended, they were the last ones to leave after cleaning the competition areas.

Bach said: “Our job is to guide the athletes to their competition venues and the audience to the stands. We’re always ready for any tasks assigned by the organizing board.”

Volunteering for the first time at a big international event, students of Ha Long University are excited and a bit nervous. For weeks, Ha Long University has worked with the Sub-Committee for Reception of Sea Games 31 to train volunteers on language proficiency and communications skills, and inform the volunteers about regulations and the cultures of Southeast Asian countries. Dynamism, enthusiasm, language proficiency, and good communications skills are advantages of the young volunteers. 

Tran Thi Huong Giang of the Travel Service Management Class of Ha Long University said: “I was assigned to announce the names of athletes, and the referee team. I’m a little bit nervous but very happy because I have an opportunity to contribute my part to such as big sporting event.”

Quang Ninh province has mobilized 300 student volunteers who can speak English, Chinese, or another language used in Southeast Asia. They are all healthy, have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, and have aknowledge of sports as well as the culture of Quang Ninh province and Vietnam.

These requirements will enable the volunteers to fulfill their assigned tasks and serve as ambassadors, promoting the image of Quang Ninh province and Vietnam to international visitors.

Huynh Minh Ngon, coach of the Vietnam women’s handball team, said: “ The volunteers are enthusiastic and dynamic. They are always ready at any time to guide athletes and spectators.”

Quang Ninh province will host 7 sports at Sea Games 31, which will draw 1,400 athletes, referees, and sports officials from Southeast Asian countries. This will be anopportunity for the volunteers to grow and have the unforgettable experience of contributing to the region’s biggest sporting event.