The Cambodia 2023 Southeast Asian Games has officially begun following the Opening Ceremony ©Getty Images

Thousands of spectators filed into the Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh for the the Opening Ceremony of the Southeast Asian Games. 

Tickets to the event were free which resulted in the 75,000-seater venue in Cambodia's capital almost being filled to capacity.

Those in attendance, including the host country's Prime Minister Hun Sen, experienced the two-hour show that featured performances focusing on local traditions and daily life in Cambodia.

One segment saw fishermen and farmers represented as the Ceremony paid tribute to the industries that are two of its most important.

LED lights in the background then displayed depictions of Cambodia's most popular landmarks, including Angkor Wat, the Royal Palace, and the Silver Pagoda.

The Opening Ceremony paid tribute to Cambodia's most popular landmarks such as Angkor Wat ©Getty Images
The Opening Ceremony paid tribute to Cambodia's most popular landmarks such as Angkor Wat ©Getty Images

Volleyball player Alyssa Valdez served as the Philippines' flagbearer in an-all female athlete group featuring in the Parade of Nations for the country.

"I'm very overwhelmed," said Valdez, who served in the role for a second time after the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore.

"I know for a fact that there a lot of empowered women that I'm here with and I'm just really inspired to share this with them."

Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino and Chef de Mission Chito Loyzaga were the only men in the’ 50-strong Opening Ceremony delegation.

Cambodia's three-time Southeast Asian Games taekwondo gold medallist Sorn Seavmey flew through the air on her way to lighting the Cauldron at the Opening Ceremony ©Getty Images
Cambodia's three-time Southeast Asian Games taekwondo gold medallist Sorn Seavmey flew through the air on her way to lighting the Cauldron at the Opening Ceremony ©Getty Images

The Games' Cauldron was lit by Cambodian taekwondo athlete Sorn Seavmey.

Seavmey, a three-time Southeast Asian Games gold medallist, was lifted through the air in a harness to light the flame and mark the official start of the event which is due to run until May 17.

The Ceremony was finally capped off with a two-minute firework display.

The Games are set to see 584 events take place in 36 sports to be contested by 11 nations; Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, East Timor, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Cambodia.