As the 31st Southeast Asia (SEA) Games approaches, the northern province of Ninh Binh is speeding up preparations for the region's biggest sporting event. According to Pham Tuan Anh, director of the Sports Training and Competition Centre, about 80 percent of the upgrade work to the Ninh Binh Gymnasium – the venue of Karate of the Games has been completed. The Games will run in Hanoi and 11 neighbouring localities from May 12 to 23. Featuring 40 sports with 526 events, it is expected to attract around 10,000 participants. VNA Photo: Hải Yến