(VOVworld) – The 5^th ASEAN Schools Games, an annual competition for regional students, is underway in Hanoi. Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan attended the opening ceremony on Sunday which reflected diverse cultural identities of ASEAN members. Deputy Minister of Education and Training, also chief organizer, Tran Quang Quy told the audience that the festival is an opportunity for Vietnam to tighten its cooperation and friendship with regional countries, preserve and promote traditional culture, and boast its people’s sportsmanship and hospitality.

(Photo: asg2013.edu.net.vn)

The week-long competition draws 1,500 students and sports authorities from Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Philippines, and Vietnam as official competitors and those from Laos as guests. 248 Vietnamese athletes will compete in all 9 categories of the tournament.