Hanoi (VNA) – SEA Games 31’s vovinam competitionsare taking place at the Soc Son Gymnasium on the outskirts of Hanoi from May 18-22, offering the host a good chance to promote its traditional martial art.

Vovinam makes a return to the regional sports event afternine years of absence. It made its debut at SEA Games 26 in Indonesia in 2011.It took place for the second time in the games’ 27th edition inMyanmar in 2013.

According to insiders, the return of vovinam can be seen as avery good opportunity for Vietnam to further popularise vovinam both regionallyand internationally, attract more people from many countries to practice the martial arts, thereby making a basis for vovinam to be held more often at the regional sports events.

Vietnam does not place much emphasis on achieving highresults in vovinam at SEA Games 31, said Ngo Ba Huy, deputy head of the games’vovinam organising board, because the most important goal is tointroduce and promote this sport.

It represents Vietnam’s martial arts and can take to alarger stage, like continental events, Huy said.

The sport draws some 150 fighters fromseven countries, namely Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Laos,Thailand and host Vietnam, vying for six combat and nine performing events.

Vietnamese fighters scheduled to compete on the first day ofcompetition include Pham Thi Kieu Giang, Nguyen Thi Hien, Nguyen Thi HoaiNuong, Lam Thi Thuy My, Lam Tri Linh, Le Toan Trung and Tran Tan Lap.

Vovinam is the most popular style of martial art in Vietnamwhich was founded by Master Nguyen Loc in 1936. It was introduced to the publictwo years later.

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

Vovinam involves the use of different body parts such ashands, elbows, legs and knees. Trainers also learn to use weapons, includingswords, knives and fans. They also practise attacking and defensive skills.

Vovinam began to spread in 1970 and has developed in manycountries with hundreds of schools in Poland, Belgium, Russia, France, and ASEANmembers.

The first world championship was organised in 2009, markinga turning point in its history.

The Games 32 will take place in Cambodia in 2023, andvovinam is expected to be included./.