If athletes perform to their potential, Vietnam’s national team could claim 5–6 gold medals on the opening day of competition at SEA Games 33 in Thailand.

Following the grand opening ceremony, teams from across Southeast Asia officially begin their medal campaigns. Vietnam will compete in 16 sports today, with several strong gold medal prospects.

Jujitsu could deliver Vietnam’s first gold of the Games, with six finals across men’s 62kg, men’s 72kg, women’s 52kg, women’s 63kg, and Duo Show (mixed pairs). The nation’s top hope is Dao Hong Son in the men’s 62kg category - already a two-time SEA Games champion and reigning world champion.

Taekwondo is also expected to strike gold on its first day. Competition in this traditional Korean martial art runs from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with four finals scheduled (poomsae – performance routines).

The poomsae category has been a traditional stronghold for Vietnam. Medal hopes include Nguyen Thien Phung (a seven-time world champion and five-time SEA Games gold medalist), Kim Ha, and Kim Ngan.

At 9:00 a.m., Vietnam’s swimmers dive into their SEA Games 33 campaign. On the opening day, Vietnamese swimmers will compete in the men’s 200m individual medley, women’s 200m butterfly, men’s 100m freestyle, women’s 50m breaststroke, men’s 100m backstroke, and women’s 4x100m freestyle relay.

Those who advance past the heats will compete in the finals starting at 6:00 p.m. Analysts believe Tran Hung Nguyen has a strong shot at defending his gold in the 200m individual medley. Meanwhile, dual-national swimmer Luong Jeremie Loic Nimo (Vietnamese-French) is considered a potential surprise in the men’s 100m freestyle.

Also competing today, Vietnam’s rowers aim for gold in four events, provided they maintain strong form. In pétanque, four events will take place from 9:00 a.m., with finals scheduled at 5:00 p.m. Vietnam is a strong contender after recently defeating host nation Thailand to win the world championship in France.

In cycling, Nguyen Thi Huyen Trang competes in the women's downhill event at 9:30 a.m. and could spring a surprise. Meanwhile, in chess, Vietnam takes part in the Thai-style "Makruk" chess event.

Vietnam’s schedule on December 10 also includes qualifiers in men's baseball, 3x3 basketball, boxing, artistic gymnastics, men’s and women’s handball, sailing, tennis, women’s volleyball (against Myanmar), and MMA.

Song Ngu (from Bangkok, Thailand)