Vovinam with mission to popularise Vietnamese martial arts at SEA Games
Vovinam (Vietnamese traditional martial arts) has not been a permanent sport competed at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games; however, the increasing number of competing countries in recent tournaments shows that it has been extensively welcomed.
Hanoi (VNA) – Vovinam (Vietnamese traditional martial arts) has notbeen a permanent sport competed at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games; however,the increasing number of competing countries in recent tournaments shows thatit has been extensively welcomed.
At the 31st SEA Games hosted by Vietnam last year,seven countries, namely Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Thailand, thePhilippines and Vietnam, vied for medal sets of Vovinam.
Earlier, at the 26th and 27th SEAGames in 2011 and 2013 that the sport was present,there were only four competing nations.
General Secretary of the Vietnam Vovinam Federation NguyenBinh Dinh said that the presence of Vovinam in the 31st Games andthe upcoming 32nd Games in Cambodia is one of the good chances topromote the Vietnamese traditional martial arts to the world.
At the coming tournament in May, Vietnam set a target ofpocketing seven gold medals, one more compared to the previous edition.
Vovinam, the most popular style of martial art in Vietnam,as well as around the world, was founded by master Nguyen Loc in 1936, andintroduced to the public two years later.
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, andASEAN members.
According to the Vietnam Vovinam Federation, there arearound 2.5 million practising the martial art in 70 countries and territories.The strong growth of the art form can be seen through the establishment of theworld federation, as well as continental federations in Asia, Europe andAfrica.
The first world championship was organised in 2009, markinga turning point in its history. Vietnam will be the host of the 2023 worldchampionship slated for November./.
The fifth Viet Vo Dao Vovinam Ambassador Championship concluded in Algiers, the capital city of Algeria on October 22, with the first prize for team coming to the Association sportive de la Surete nationale Club.
The 20th National Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts (Vovinam) Championship of Algeria has opened in Tizi-Ouzou province, gathering 559 athletes from 91 clubs across the country.
Nearly 100 athletes representing Vovinam (Vietnamese martial art) Federations in Italy, France, Germany, Belgium, Romania, Spain and Vietnam have attended the International Vovinam Cup 2022 held recently in Montichiari city, Italy.
President Vo Van Thuong attended a ceremony held in the southern province of Binh Duong on April 15 to mark the 85th founding anniversary of the Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts (Vovinam).
The ambassador noted that among the 300,000 Vietnamese residing in the RoK, around 3,000 are living in Pyeongtaek and contributing actively to the local economy. Ho expressed his hope that the local authorities will continue support the overseas Vietnamese community in the city.
This is the first time since the adoption of the Convention that a country has served two consecutive terms on the Committee. The outcome shows the trust and recognition that member states have given Vietnam for its efforts and achievements in carrying out and promoting the Convention, as well as for its active role, strong standing, and growing credibility at UNESCO.
Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
Vietnam’s cinematic appeal lies in its diverse settings, from terraced mountains and limestone karsts to bustling markets and ancient towns. Its mix of ethnic vibes, buzzing street life, and old traditions gives directors a goldmine for storytelling.
The Vietnamese team will gather on June 26 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where they will train until July 14 before departing for Indonesia for the ASEAN U23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29. Vietnam will face Laos on July 19 and Cambodia on July 22 in the group stage.
The exhibition showcases more than 100 valuable documents and artifacts, divided into two main parts: “Journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh” and “President Ho Chi Minh – Founder and Mentor of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press.” This is an opportunity to recall the late leader’s journalism journey and affirm his exceptional role in founding and guiding the revolutionary press in Vietnam.
For the first time, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has granted Vietnam hosting rights for the two championships, including the Asian women’s solo category, which debuts this year as an officially recognised event.
Eight teams will join the tournament, divided into two groups. Group A features Vietnam, the Philippines, Sichuan Club (China), and Australia, while Group B consists of Vietnam U21, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China), and U21 Thailand.
Despite strong home support and high expectations, Vietnam were unable to overcome the defending champions, who secured their third consecutive win over Vietnam in a regional final, following previous victories in 2014 and 2023.
The event, part of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy strategy through 2030, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela and USM’s Faculty of International Relations. It attracted thousands of students from universities across Venezuela.
For the first time, Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to experience the ballet masterpiece "Don Quixote" in its original version by renowned choreographer Marius Petipa.
The contest carried deep meaning as it was the first time the life of Vietnamese women abroad had been highlighted as the central theme, said poet and writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association.
The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July.
Creative cultural festivals are fast emerging as a new catalyst for tourism development in Vietnam, as localities increasingly invest in these vibrant events on a more systematic and larger scale.
This marks the first time Vietnam has hosted a continental-level Muay event which will feature competitions across 28 weight categories in combat and eight performance categories.
Coming to the Vietnamese booth, visitors had the chance to take part in a bamboo dance, a workshop on painting woven bamboo or rattan, or quizzes about Vietnam.
These are impressive achievements, not only showing the efforts and prowess of Vietnamese paddlers but also serving as proof of the sports sector’s strategic and systematic investment.
Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) 
