Disciples from various countries attend special training courses in Ho Chi Minh City.
One by one, international delegations set foot in Ho Chi Minh City: from France – the first cradle of Vovinam in Europe, to Germany, Portugal, Algeria – distant lands that have worked hard to preserve Vietnamese martial arts as a part of their native culture. They come not only to practice, but also to find their roots – the starting point of the journey that has shaped a part of them.
At the Vovinam Ancestral Hall, the space fell silent for a moment as hundreds of disciples bowed their heads in memory of Founder Nguyen Loc, Grand Master Le Sang, late Master Tran Huy Phong… Tears fell silently without needing explanation. Because Vovinam in them was no longer foreign – it had become flesh and blood, a belief, a mission that was attached to life.
Master Vo Danh Hai – Vice President of the World Martial Arts Association – said very simply but profoundly: “Martial arts are not in kicks and punches, but in the memories and culture of grateful and preserving generations.” That statement seemed to speak for the hearts of the entire international delegation – people who, despite speaking different languages, still had the same heartbeat when standing under the roof of the Ancestral Temple.
The course lasts three days, but brings the depth of many years of practice. International and Vietnamese students not only practice techniques such as dual training, kicks, and self-defense, but also participate in special topics: from treating injuries in martial arts, to core philosophies such as “Mind and Body Revolution”, “The Development of Hardness and Softness”, and life values in martial arts ethics.
The most precious thing is not the sharp martial arts, but the spirit of unconditional sharing: they practice together, eat together, sleep on the same rough wooden beds, and every laugh that echoes in the training yard is a bridge that is longer than any language.
For the first time in history, a traditional martial arts training course has been officially connected with the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism and the Vietnam Sports and Physical Training Department. No longer a closed activity in the martial arts school, Vovinam is being planned as a cross-border cultural -educational - sports bridge.
After Ho Chi Minh City, the international delegations will continue their journey "back to the source" in Hanoi , Thach That - the hometown of Founder Nguyen Loc - to continue to deepen the Vietnamese philosophy of life, and to learn more about Vietnamese culture from life to spirit.
The closing ceremony at IVS School became the highlight of the training course in a solemn but exciting atmosphere. From the Lion – Lion – Dragon performance, to the martial arts and music performances by young martial artists from Japan, Spain, Vietnam Vovinam clubs and the Vietnam Taekwondo team – every performance was like an affirmation: Vietnamese martial arts are ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with world culture.
From a small philosophy in Vietnam, Vovinam has grown to become a living heritage of humanity. More than martial arts, it is a spirit – of gratitude, of sharing, of lasting humanity. And as long as the opening drum still echoes, the shouts of the disciples still resound on the training floor, Vovinam – Viet Vo Dao will forever remain like an inextinguishable flame in the souls of martial arts lovers around the world.
Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/khoa-huan-luyen-quoc-te-vovinam-viet-vo-dao-2025-2025071110402863.htm
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