Vietnam is the eighth nation to host the Southeast Asian Games after Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines and Brunei.

[3] The 2003 Southeast Asian Games used a mix of new, existing and temporary venues with the centrepiece of the activities being the Mỹ Đình Sports Complex which was opened in September 2003.

Besides being physically near to the sport venues, it was hoped that they will add vibe to both cities and reduce post-games costs in converting a dedicated games village to other uses.

Designed by Artist Nguyen Chi Long, it depicts the bird decorated the Ngoc Lu bronze drum, a typical antiquity of the ancient Dong Son Vietnamese culture.

The Emblem is composed of harmonious and strong curves that resembles movement and strength upwards represents the Olympic Spirit: "Faster, Higher and Stronger".

[6] Designed by artist Nguyen Thai Hung, the mascot of the 2003 Southeast Asian Games is a golden water buffalo named Trâu Vàng.

Described as a gentle, industrious, wise, faithful and harmonious animal in nature, the buffalo resembles the water and rice civilisation in Vietnam, as well as in other Southeast Asian countries.

[7] The games' hymn was "For the World of Tomorrow" (Vietnamese: Vì một thế giới ngày mai), which was composed by Nguyen Quang Vinh.

After that, eleven regional sporting delegations, including 5,005 coaches and athletes, marched past the reviewing stand in an exciting welcome from the officials and spectators.

Later, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem, Chairman of the National Steering Board for the 22nd SEA Games, Minister-Chairman Nguyen Danh Thai, and Ha Noi Mayor Hoang Van Nghien presented flowers and banners to 11 participating sports delegations.

Around 40,000 spectators attended the closing ceremony at Mỹ Đình National Stadium including Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, Vice President Truong My Hoa and leaders of the Asian Sport Federation.

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem, Chairman of the 22nd SEA Games national steering board, on behalf of the host country, declared the regional sporting event closed.