The Vietnamese disabled sports delegation marching at the opening ceremony ( Image: VNA )
The opening ceremony was highlighted by dazzling fireworks and laser displays as well as music and dancing by hundreds of Indonesian performers in traditional costumes.
After the parade of teams from the 11 participating countries, Indonesian Vice President Boediono formally declared the Games open, followed by the lighting of the torch, which will remain lit until the end of the Games on December 21.
The biannual regional multi-sport event brings together thousands of disabled athletes representing 11 Southeast Asian nations to compete for 422 sets of medals in 11 events.
More than 120 Vietnamese athletes with disabilities are competing in seven events including track and field, swimming, badminton, weightlifting, table tennis, chess and tennis, aiming to finish among the top three countries at the Games with 70 gold medals.
At the fifth ASEAN Para Games in Kuala Lumpur two years ago, Vietnam took home 73 gold, 57 silver and 45 bronze medals, and ranked third in the medal tally behind Thailand and the host, Malaysia.