Hanoi (VNA) - Traditional martial artshave been developing for centuries in Vietnam, with hundreds of stylesnationwide, including Nam Hong Son, Tay Son Binh Dinh and Vovinam. Vietnamesestyles have been become popular around the world thanks to their typicalcharacters and practicality.

"Vietnamese martial art has developed because of its diversity, beauty andpracticality. It is favoured not only because of the performances but also itsorigin and unique techniques. In comparison to other martial arts such askarate of Japan and taekwondo of the Republic of Korea, the Vietnamese stylesuse principles to help the soft to beat the hard, the short beat the long andthe weak beat the strong," said master Thanh Phong of Thanh Phong Club inHanoi.

"All moves are designed to enhance comfort during practice andperformance. It is much better when you practise in harmony with nature. Thishelps strengthen your skills and moves," Phong said.

Vovinam is the most popular style of martialart in Vietnam, as well as around the world. On its 80th anniversary in lateDecember, the Vietnam Vovinam Federation confirmed there were more than 2.5million practising the martial art in 70 countries and territories. The stronggrowth of the art form can be seen through the establishment of the worldfederation, as well as continental federations in Asia, Europe and Africa.

Master Nguyen Loc founded the martial art in 1936 and introduced it to thepublic two years later.

Loc highlighted his so-called ‘revolution of mind’ to trainers, who are askedto always renew themselves and help others.

Vovinam involves the use of different body parts such as hands, elbows, legsand knees. Trainers also learn to use weapons, including swords, knives andfans. They also practise attacking and defensive skills.

Vovinam began to spread in 1970 and has developed in many countries withhundreds of schools in Poland, Belgium, Russia, France, and ASEAN members.

The first world championship was organised in 2009, marking a turning point inits history.

“I found that martial arts which are Olympic sports are easy to understand andpractise. They also have beautiful moves. This is why they are popular all overthe world. Vovinam needs to be improved following these trends so that it couldbe known widely, and in the near future it could be one of the official sportsat official competitions," said Mai Huu Tin, President of the Vietnam VovinamFederation.

Nam Hong Son is a martial art that has existed for nearly 100 years and ispractised mostly in northern Vietnam. It has become hugely popular in Hanoiwith thousands of trainers.

The martial art was developed as a combination between Vietnamese and Chinesestyles by master Nguyen Nguyen To in 1920.

In their first three years, practitioners learn Chinese styles. They laterintroduce Vietnamese techniques, as well as improving their strength and innerforce. The martial art is home to many famous masters, including Mui Den,Ca Nham and Ba Den, who travelled around the country to compete.

After nearly a century, the martial art haschanged to make it more dynamic and effective but many original performancesare still in existence.

According to master Bui Dang Van, Nam Hong Son’s beautiful moves and specialtechniques attracted attention in Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany.

The martial art has also made its mark on the national film industry. Van andsome other masters have been chosen as martial art directors in a number ofmovies. He is one of the first masters to open centres which choreograph stuntsand train actors since 1993.

Masters of Nam Hong Son also collaborated to develop other foreign martial artssuch as pencak silat and wushu in Vietnam. Vietnam has seen some success inthese martial arts at international competitions.

On the subject of traditional martial arts, Binh Dinh province in the centralregion cannot be ignored.

Martial arts are diversified with many skills and a complicated range of moves,using the yin and yang theory as a guiding principle. Based on the purpose offighting in war it is effective and suitable for Vietnamese people who aregenerally small in stature.

Like other martial arts, Tay Son Binh Dinh is practised with and withoutweapons. It involves the use of the hands and legs. Apart from cudgels, spearsand swords, Binh Dinh masters could also use scarves, short staffs andpoisonous weapons.

Inner force and strength are also important in this art form.

The best masters could lie on broken glass while being run over by a truck, orlet sharp spears stab their throats.

Today, visitors to martial arts villages or schools in Binh Dinh have thechance to learn about the history and development of particular styles as wellas watch typical performances or even take part in training with masters.

Master Laabi Hatim from Morocco has practised Vietnamese martial arts since1980. He said he was initially attracted because it showed the rich culture ofVietnam but was also a really effective form of combat.

Hatim is just one of many foreigners who train in Vietnamese martial arts. Heflies to Vietnam and visits Binh Dinh to learn more every year.

In a congress of the Vietnam Traditional Martial Arts Federation last June,delegates spoke about solutions to maintain and develop Vietnamese styles inthe coming years.

Federation President Hoang Vinh Giang set a target that martial arts wouldspread to 100 countries by 2030. They would promote the art forms in localschools, colleges and universities. It was also suggested that police officersand soldiers be trained in some of the Vietnamese martial arts.-VNA