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Vovinam - A global sport
The logo is based upon the Yin-Yang design with a map of Vietnam in the centre - the 2 largest cities Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh take the places of the poles.
When we think of Vietnam most of us recall images of an impoverished and war-torn nation, but nowadays this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Vietnam has one of the world’s fastest growing economies and as a nation has a huge drive for development and recognition on a global scale.
With this development comes opportunity for the export of cultural materials and ideas - this is where our topic shows its face - Martial Arts.
The Vovinam System
The largest and most easily recognized style of Vietnamese martial arts is Vovinam aka ‘Viêt Võ Đạo’. Vovinam comes from the words Võ (literally fighting) and Vietnam pushed together.
The traditional name of Viêt Võ Đạo translates as “The way of Vietnamese Martial Arts”
Vovinam has spread rapidly in terms of practitioners and recognition since Vietnam opened its borders to international trade during the early 1990’s. Currently there are Vovinam schools in more than 50 countries, across Asia, Europe, North and South America, Australia and Africa.
The International Vovinam federation estimates there are around 500,000 practitioners excluding Vietnam, putting worldwide figures at well over a million.
As international trade and relations develop further, Vovinam is set to become recognized as one of few genuinely authentic South-East Asian systems. In the words of Grandmaster Nguyễn Văn Chiếu: *“A Global Sport”.
Late Grandmaster Lê Sáng with International Masters 2008
Features of Vovinam
Vovinam is a diverse and dynamic martial art. Vietnamese arts traditionally include a lot of high and low range targets, and Vovinam follows this principle famed for its brutal 21 low kicks and ‘flying scissor’ takedowns.
It has many features common across South-East Asian Martial Arts - Fast and aggressive knees and elbows, explosive high kicks and heavy grappling.
There is also a diverse range of weapons taught as part of the Vovinam syllabus; Long and short staffs, swords and halberds. Less-commonly students are also taught knives and small blades reminiscent of Malay/Indonesian styles.
Vovinam also includes various other Asian influences, there is a strong focus on the hard and soft elements or ‘Cương-Nhu’ and similar to Chinese systems has a strong code of ethics and etiquette.
Uniforms are influenced by the Japanese ‘Gi’ - historically Vietnam held some of the largest trading ports of South-East Asia and received a lot of Japanese influence over the years.
Vovinam is a well-rounded and complete system - one of few that covers everything from battlefield weapons and stand up fighting to grappling and groundwork. As the saying goes “necessity is the mother of invention”.
History of Vovinam
Grandmaster Nguyễn Lộc
The style was officially founded 1938 by the late Grand Master Nguyễn Lộc, a resident of the capital city - Hanoi. As a child Nguyễn Lộc was encouraged to study various indigenous and foreign influenced martial arts by his parents. Living in Vietnam during this era was dangerous and self defence situations were often a reality. After sometime he began to uniform the styles and techniques he had learnt into an efficient and practical martial art whilst being careful not to disregard important cultural and historical features.
During these years Vietnam was a colony of “French Indo-china” and due to their oppressors Vovinam was taught in secrecy for a number of years.
Eventually Nguyễn Lộc’s style became too popular and attracted unwanted attention - so much so, that he was forced to relocate. After the French had been expelled from the country, Grandmaster Nguyễn Lộc moved to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) opening his first official training centre in 1955.
From here the popularity of the martial art developed rapidly and is now one of the top official sports of Vietnam. After Nguyễn Lộc ‘s passing Vovinam was continued by his successor the Late Grandmaster Lê Sáng, and is now headed by Grandmaster Nguyễn Văn Chiếu operating from Ho Chi Minh City.
Below is a recent video about Nguyễn Văn Chiếu and the spread of Vovinam filed for CNN’s ‘Human to Hero’ series.
Vovinam Facts
The Ranking system runs strangely compared to many martial arts - Blue is the lowest ranking belt, followed by Yellow, then Red and White the highest symbolizing Purity and transcendence.
The first women received a “Senior Master” ranking in 1999.
The ‘Đạo’ in ‘Viêt Võ Đạo’ is the equivalent of the Chinese “Tao” or Japanese “Do” meaning path or way.*
Vovinam is one of 36 sports included in the South East Asian (SEA) Games alongside Olympic Tae Kwon Do, Pencak Silat and Wushu - All of which are already well-known in Western Countries.*
Vovinam - A global sport
Vietnam to defend World Vovinam Championship title in Algeria
Jul 27,2015
HO CHI MINH CITY, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Twenty-two Vietnamese Vovinam fighters are scheduled to leave Vietnam on Monday evening for Algeria to defend their World Vovinam Championship title there.
The fourth World Vovinam Championship will be held in Algeria from July 29 to August 2, drawing the participation of 250 officials, referees, and martial artists from 21 countries and regions, the Vietnam Vovinam Federation said Monday, adding that the tournament will feature 74 disciplines, both performance and combat events.
The Vietnamese delegation consists of 30 people, led by Nguyen Hung, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Vovinam Federation and Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Culture and Sports Department.
Vovinam, a world-famous Vietnamese martial art, is now present in 12 African nations and strongly developing, especially after the Africa Vovinam Federation was established in 2012. In Algeria alone, over 22,000 people are practicing Vovinam in 30 out of 48 cities and provinces of the country, said the Vietnam Vovinam Federation.
The World Vovinam Federation has member federations in Asia, Europe and Africa with hundreds of thousands followers. At the third World Vovinam Championship in France in 2013, Vietnam topped the tournament, followed by France and Algeria.
Vietnam to defend World Vovinam Championship title in Algeria | Shanghai Daily
Hollywood Film starts on Vietnam’s martial art Vovinam
A video clip intended to promote Vovinam, Vietnam’s traditional martial art, to the world had its first scenes shot in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday.
The promo video will star the same cast, including famous American actor Michael Madsen and former world heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield, as a Hollywood movie filmmaker Ace Cruz is slated to begin filming later this year.
The American Hollywood film director and H.E. Oknha Rat Sokhorn, who scripted the video, paid a visit to Vovinam master Nguyen Van Chieu at his home in District 8 to do the shooting.
A high-ranking royal official in Cambodia, H.E. Oknha Rat Sokhorn is skillful at the Vovinam and is the co-producer of the video clip and the Hollywood film, “Fight for Life,” with Cruz.
Chieu, who is also the deputy chairman of the World Vovinam Federation, is featured in the promo footage, where he is seen delivering a brief introduction about the martial art and send a greeting to Holyfield and Madsen.
The martial artist is also filmed giving his autograph on two Vovinam uniform exclusively made for the former world heavyweight boxing champion and the American actor.
Even though it is only a simple scene, in which Chieu only sat and talked, director Cruz requested that three cameras be deployed to capture the best pictures.
“We are honor to see famous stars like Holyfield and Madsen know of and love Vovinam,” Chieu is heard speaking in the video.
“We hope the two, with their reputation and fame, will help make Vovinam more popular in the world.”
H.E. Oknha Rat Sokhorn also appeared in the footage, and too expressed his hope that the two stars will contribute to bring Vovinam to the Hollywood with their roles in “Fight for Life.”
The film, which tells the story of a Cambodian boy who rises to fame thanks to the Vovinam ring, will be shot late this year with all martial art techniques being those of Vovinam.
Cruz left Vietnam for the U.S. on Wednesday and will continue shooting the rest of the promotional video there.
He will meet Holyfield on May 2, when they are both expected to watch the much-anticipated match between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas.
The filmmaker said he has good relationship with both Holyfield and Pacquiao. He will hand over the Vovinam uniform with Chieu’s autograph to the former heavyweight boxer.
Cruz admitted that it is more difficult to reach Madsen, who is busy with his filming schedule.
But Cruz said he will manage to finish the promo footage by the end of June.
The remaining part of the video will show Holyfield and Madsen, wearing the Vovinam uniform they are gifted, sharing their thought about the Vietnamese martial art and encourage people to try practicing it, according to the screenplay.
Holyfield is expected to tell viewers that as a seasoned boxer, he finds Vovinam techniques not only beautiful but also practical, and that he is happy to join the Vovivam family.
The complete promotional video will be broadcast on the under-construction vovivamholywood.com website, and other sites, according to Cruz.
The film director is hoping that the video will see positive reception before he moves on to make other Vovinam-themed movies.
Filming starts on Vietnam’s martial art Vovinam promo vid
Vovinam Đài Loan” is a dynamic young Taiwanese man with an intense passion for Vovinam Việt Võ Đạo. At age 29, Peng Shu-Chun (彭蜀鈞) is a teacher in Xigang district (西港區) of Tainan city, Taiwan (Republic of China). No stranger to martial arts, Shu-Chun trained Taekwondo for 17 years, learned Chinese Hung Gar Kung, a well-known Chinese martial art discipline for 14 years, and has also studied Karate for about 1 year. Earned his black belt 3rd dan in Taekwondo, he had been a coach for nearly 10 years. Graduated from the Chinese Culture University, department of Chinese martial arts and dance, Shu-Chun currently teaches physical education and teaches Vovinam martial arts.
Since 2011 he began to take notice of Vovinam martial arts on the Internet. Never been to Vietnam and does not have access to any certified coach or Vovinam martial arts master previously, he has been self-learning Vovinam techniques through Youtube videos. Taking advantage of his wealth of martial arts background, and a deep passion for Vietnamese martial art, he absorbs Vovinam moves quickly and practices what he learns from the recorded video clips. In addition, Shu-Chun spent many hours studying võ đạo teaching (budo), and translated them along with other technical materials so that he can pass them on to his students. He said that, after my research and self-study, “I found Vovinam’s teaching to be well organized and comprehensive, consisting a good variety of martial arts skills”. He was particularly impressed with the fluent moves and it’s very applicable techniques. Shu-Chun also admits, “since then I also realized that my martial arts knowledge is limited and lacking”. With what he has learned, he has started to teach Vovinam to children in elementary schools where he teaches physical education.
Vovinam Việt Võ Đạo has arrvied in Taiwan | Venguonblog
In an effort to introduce Vovinam to the Japanese people, Full Contact Karate Magazine, a famous monthly martial arts magazine that has a large readership, has graciously published 2 essays in 2 consecutive release periods, presenting Master Fugo on the front page cover along with very thoughtful technical analysis. Several other newspapers and magazines have also begun to help readers becoming more familiar with Vovinam. It appears that Master Fugo’s determination and intense passion is gradually gaining confidence from the public; and among his new students, there are individuals who have been trained with traditional Japanese martial art disciplines. Just few months after commence of the movement, Master Fugo has confided to me that Tokyo now has 2 regular Vovinam classes and another 2 classes being formed, with a total of about 50 students, and 20 of them being trained regularly. He also plans to open more Vovinam classes and will continue to be the messenger promoting this great martial art across Japan. He believes, with time, the Japanese people will be more accepting & embrace Vovinam discipline once they have become acquainted with the values of the Vietnamese martial arts and how it can contribute to their individual martial art skills and good health.
The Vovinam’s blue uniforms are showing up more frequently in Japan and the students are wearing them proundly. Vovinam Việt Võ Đạo has arrived on the Land of Rising Sun (扶桑), an idea that only exists in dreams, now has come true. Fate and chances in life are truly unpredictable. If fate did not bring Master Fugo to attend the Vovinam Championship event, the story of Vovinam Japan would never have existed . Indeed, this Vovinam Japan story come together by elements of serendipity, a common aspiration of all Vovinam disciples, individual talents, goodwill, openness, and an entrepreneur spirit of Master Fugo. This serendipitous event, without a doubt, has contributed to the history of Vovinam Việt Võ Đạo.
28 | Tháng Sáu | 2013 | Venguonblog
The logo is based upon the Yin-Yang design with a map of Vietnam in the centre - the 2 largest cities Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh take the places of the poles.
When we think of Vietnam most of us recall images of an impoverished and war-torn nation, but nowadays this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Vietnam has one of the world’s fastest growing economies and as a nation has a huge drive for development and recognition on a global scale.
With this development comes opportunity for the export of cultural materials and ideas - this is where our topic shows its face - Martial Arts.
The Vovinam System
The largest and most easily recognized style of Vietnamese martial arts is Vovinam aka ‘Viêt Võ Đạo’. Vovinam comes from the words Võ (literally fighting) and Vietnam pushed together.
The traditional name of Viêt Võ Đạo translates as “The way of Vietnamese Martial Arts”
Vovinam has spread rapidly in terms of practitioners and recognition since Vietnam opened its borders to international trade during the early 1990’s. Currently there are Vovinam schools in more than 50 countries, across Asia, Europe, North and South America, Australia and Africa.
The International Vovinam federation estimates there are around 500,000 practitioners excluding Vietnam, putting worldwide figures at well over a million.
As international trade and relations develop further, Vovinam is set to become recognized as one of few genuinely authentic South-East Asian systems. In the words of Grandmaster Nguyễn Văn Chiếu: *“A Global Sport”.
Late Grandmaster Lê Sáng with International Masters 2008
Features of Vovinam
Vovinam is a diverse and dynamic martial art. Vietnamese arts traditionally include a lot of high and low range targets, and Vovinam follows this principle famed for its brutal 21 low kicks and ‘flying scissor’ takedowns.
It has many features common across South-East Asian Martial Arts - Fast and aggressive knees and elbows, explosive high kicks and heavy grappling.
There is also a diverse range of weapons taught as part of the Vovinam syllabus; Long and short staffs, swords and halberds. Less-commonly students are also taught knives and small blades reminiscent of Malay/Indonesian styles.
Vovinam also includes various other Asian influences, there is a strong focus on the hard and soft elements or ‘Cương-Nhu’ and similar to Chinese systems has a strong code of ethics and etiquette.
Uniforms are influenced by the Japanese ‘Gi’ - historically Vietnam held some of the largest trading ports of South-East Asia and received a lot of Japanese influence over the years.
Vovinam is a well-rounded and complete system - one of few that covers everything from battlefield weapons and stand up fighting to grappling and groundwork. As the saying goes “necessity is the mother of invention”.
History of Vovinam
Grandmaster Nguyễn Lộc
The style was officially founded 1938 by the late Grand Master Nguyễn Lộc, a resident of the capital city - Hanoi. As a child Nguyễn Lộc was encouraged to study various indigenous and foreign influenced martial arts by his parents. Living in Vietnam during this era was dangerous and self defence situations were often a reality. After sometime he began to uniform the styles and techniques he had learnt into an efficient and practical martial art whilst being careful not to disregard important cultural and historical features.
During these years Vietnam was a colony of “French Indo-china” and due to their oppressors Vovinam was taught in secrecy for a number of years.
Eventually Nguyễn Lộc’s style became too popular and attracted unwanted attention - so much so, that he was forced to relocate. After the French had been expelled from the country, Grandmaster Nguyễn Lộc moved to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) opening his first official training centre in 1955.
From here the popularity of the martial art developed rapidly and is now one of the top official sports of Vietnam. After Nguyễn Lộc ‘s passing Vovinam was continued by his successor the Late Grandmaster Lê Sáng, and is now headed by Grandmaster Nguyễn Văn Chiếu operating from Ho Chi Minh City.
Below is a recent video about Nguyễn Văn Chiếu and the spread of Vovinam filed for CNN’s ‘Human to Hero’ series.
Vovinam Facts
The Ranking system runs strangely compared to many martial arts - Blue is the lowest ranking belt, followed by Yellow, then Red and White the highest symbolizing Purity and transcendence.
The first women received a “Senior Master” ranking in 1999.
The ‘Đạo’ in ‘Viêt Võ Đạo’ is the equivalent of the Chinese “Tao” or Japanese “Do” meaning path or way.*
Vovinam is one of 36 sports included in the South East Asian (SEA) Games alongside Olympic Tae Kwon Do, Pencak Silat and Wushu - All of which are already well-known in Western Countries.*
Vovinam - A global sport
Vietnam to defend World Vovinam Championship title in Algeria
Jul 27,2015
HO CHI MINH CITY, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Twenty-two Vietnamese Vovinam fighters are scheduled to leave Vietnam on Monday evening for Algeria to defend their World Vovinam Championship title there.
The fourth World Vovinam Championship will be held in Algeria from July 29 to August 2, drawing the participation of 250 officials, referees, and martial artists from 21 countries and regions, the Vietnam Vovinam Federation said Monday, adding that the tournament will feature 74 disciplines, both performance and combat events.
The Vietnamese delegation consists of 30 people, led by Nguyen Hung, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Vovinam Federation and Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Culture and Sports Department.
Vovinam, a world-famous Vietnamese martial art, is now present in 12 African nations and strongly developing, especially after the Africa Vovinam Federation was established in 2012. In Algeria alone, over 22,000 people are practicing Vovinam in 30 out of 48 cities and provinces of the country, said the Vietnam Vovinam Federation.
The World Vovinam Federation has member federations in Asia, Europe and Africa with hundreds of thousands followers. At the third World Vovinam Championship in France in 2013, Vietnam topped the tournament, followed by France and Algeria.
Vietnam to defend World Vovinam Championship title in Algeria | Shanghai Daily
Hollywood Film starts on Vietnam’s martial art Vovinam
A video clip intended to promote Vovinam, Vietnam’s traditional martial art, to the world had its first scenes shot in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday.
The promo video will star the same cast, including famous American actor Michael Madsen and former world heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield, as a Hollywood movie filmmaker Ace Cruz is slated to begin filming later this year.
The American Hollywood film director and H.E. Oknha Rat Sokhorn, who scripted the video, paid a visit to Vovinam master Nguyen Van Chieu at his home in District 8 to do the shooting.
A high-ranking royal official in Cambodia, H.E. Oknha Rat Sokhorn is skillful at the Vovinam and is the co-producer of the video clip and the Hollywood film, “Fight for Life,” with Cruz.
Chieu, who is also the deputy chairman of the World Vovinam Federation, is featured in the promo footage, where he is seen delivering a brief introduction about the martial art and send a greeting to Holyfield and Madsen.
The martial artist is also filmed giving his autograph on two Vovinam uniform exclusively made for the former world heavyweight boxing champion and the American actor.
Even though it is only a simple scene, in which Chieu only sat and talked, director Cruz requested that three cameras be deployed to capture the best pictures.
“We are honor to see famous stars like Holyfield and Madsen know of and love Vovinam,” Chieu is heard speaking in the video.
“We hope the two, with their reputation and fame, will help make Vovinam more popular in the world.”
H.E. Oknha Rat Sokhorn also appeared in the footage, and too expressed his hope that the two stars will contribute to bring Vovinam to the Hollywood with their roles in “Fight for Life.”
The film, which tells the story of a Cambodian boy who rises to fame thanks to the Vovinam ring, will be shot late this year with all martial art techniques being those of Vovinam.
Cruz left Vietnam for the U.S. on Wednesday and will continue shooting the rest of the promotional video there.
He will meet Holyfield on May 2, when they are both expected to watch the much-anticipated match between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas.
The filmmaker said he has good relationship with both Holyfield and Pacquiao. He will hand over the Vovinam uniform with Chieu’s autograph to the former heavyweight boxer.
Cruz admitted that it is more difficult to reach Madsen, who is busy with his filming schedule.
But Cruz said he will manage to finish the promo footage by the end of June.
The remaining part of the video will show Holyfield and Madsen, wearing the Vovinam uniform they are gifted, sharing their thought about the Vietnamese martial art and encourage people to try practicing it, according to the screenplay.
Holyfield is expected to tell viewers that as a seasoned boxer, he finds Vovinam techniques not only beautiful but also practical, and that he is happy to join the Vovivam family.
The complete promotional video will be broadcast on the under-construction vovivamholywood.com website, and other sites, according to Cruz.
The film director is hoping that the video will see positive reception before he moves on to make other Vovinam-themed movies.
Filming starts on Vietnam’s martial art Vovinam promo vid
Vovinam Đài Loan” is a dynamic young Taiwanese man with an intense passion for Vovinam Việt Võ Đạo. At age 29, Peng Shu-Chun (彭蜀鈞) is a teacher in Xigang district (西港區) of Tainan city, Taiwan (Republic of China). No stranger to martial arts, Shu-Chun trained Taekwondo for 17 years, learned Chinese Hung Gar Kung, a well-known Chinese martial art discipline for 14 years, and has also studied Karate for about 1 year. Earned his black belt 3rd dan in Taekwondo, he had been a coach for nearly 10 years. Graduated from the Chinese Culture University, department of Chinese martial arts and dance, Shu-Chun currently teaches physical education and teaches Vovinam martial arts.
Since 2011 he began to take notice of Vovinam martial arts on the Internet. Never been to Vietnam and does not have access to any certified coach or Vovinam martial arts master previously, he has been self-learning Vovinam techniques through Youtube videos. Taking advantage of his wealth of martial arts background, and a deep passion for Vietnamese martial art, he absorbs Vovinam moves quickly and practices what he learns from the recorded video clips. In addition, Shu-Chun spent many hours studying võ đạo teaching (budo), and translated them along with other technical materials so that he can pass them on to his students. He said that, after my research and self-study, “I found Vovinam’s teaching to be well organized and comprehensive, consisting a good variety of martial arts skills”. He was particularly impressed with the fluent moves and it’s very applicable techniques. Shu-Chun also admits, “since then I also realized that my martial arts knowledge is limited and lacking”. With what he has learned, he has started to teach Vovinam to children in elementary schools where he teaches physical education.
Vovinam Việt Võ Đạo has arrvied in Taiwan | Venguonblog
In an effort to introduce Vovinam to the Japanese people, Full Contact Karate Magazine, a famous monthly martial arts magazine that has a large readership, has graciously published 2 essays in 2 consecutive release periods, presenting Master Fugo on the front page cover along with very thoughtful technical analysis. Several other newspapers and magazines have also begun to help readers becoming more familiar with Vovinam. It appears that Master Fugo’s determination and intense passion is gradually gaining confidence from the public; and among his new students, there are individuals who have been trained with traditional Japanese martial art disciplines. Just few months after commence of the movement, Master Fugo has confided to me that Tokyo now has 2 regular Vovinam classes and another 2 classes being formed, with a total of about 50 students, and 20 of them being trained regularly. He also plans to open more Vovinam classes and will continue to be the messenger promoting this great martial art across Japan. He believes, with time, the Japanese people will be more accepting & embrace Vovinam discipline once they have become acquainted with the values of the Vietnamese martial arts and how it can contribute to their individual martial art skills and good health.
The Vovinam’s blue uniforms are showing up more frequently in Japan and the students are wearing them proundly. Vovinam Việt Võ Đạo has arrived on the Land of Rising Sun (扶桑), an idea that only exists in dreams, now has come true. Fate and chances in life are truly unpredictable. If fate did not bring Master Fugo to attend the Vovinam Championship event, the story of Vovinam Japan would never have existed . Indeed, this Vovinam Japan story come together by elements of serendipity, a common aspiration of all Vovinam disciples, individual talents, goodwill, openness, and an entrepreneur spirit of Master Fugo. This serendipitous event, without a doubt, has contributed to the history of Vovinam Việt Võ Đạo.
28 | Tháng Sáu | 2013 | Venguonblog
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