Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung recently signed a decision to announce the list of National Intangible Cultural Heritage. Accordingly, “Folk Performance Art, Folk Knowledge of Vovinam – Viet Vo Dao in Ho Chi Minh City” has officially been included in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
Vovinam – Viet Vo Dao is recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. Photo by Vietnam News Agency
The decision also tasks chairpeople of the People’s Committees at all levels, where intangible cultural heritage is included in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage list, specifically for “Folk Performance Art, Folk Knowledge of Vovinam – Viet Vo Dao in Ho Chi Minh City,” within their scope of duties and authority, to carry out state management in accordance with legal regulations on cultural heritage.
Prior to this, the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City assigned the Department of Culture and Sports, in coordination with the Vovinam Association of the city, to complete the scientific dossier for the intangible cultural heritage of Viet Vo Dao.
Viet Vo Dao, founded by the late martial arts master Nguyen Loc in 1938 in Hanoi, is a traditional martial art of the Vietnamese people. Later, this martial art became known as Vovinam, consisting of two parts: Vietnamese Martial Arts (Viet Vo Thuat) and Vietnamese Martial Philosophy (Viet Vo Dao).
Performance Program at the Commemoration Ceremony of 85 Years of Vovinam – Viet Vo Dao. Photo: Vietnam News Agency
By 1960, the late martial arts master Le Sang assumed the role of Headmaster, continuing the mission of promoting and developing Vovinam. Alongside fellow martial artists, he dedicated himself to research, refining the theoretical framework, techniques, and martial philosophy, thereby establishing a solid foundation for Vietnam’s martial arts.
The establishment of the Vovinam Grandmaster Council in 2010 marked a new chapter for Vietnamese martial arts. Grandmaster Head Nguyen Van Chieu and the martial artists propagated Vovinam vigorously to international friends worldwide. With a system of techniques characterized by nationalism, scientific practicality, and creativity, coupled with the martial philosophy emphasizing human values, Vovinam – Viet Vo Dao has contributed to introducing Vietnam and its people to the global community.
Performance program of Vovinam – Viet Vo Dao. Photo by Vietnam News Agency
The creation of the World Vovinam Federation in 2008 was a turning point for the global development of the Vovinam movement. Vovinam federations were established in Asia, Europe, Africa, and other continents. International competitions, such as continental championships and world championships, became regular events, continually increasing in both quantity and quality. To date, Vovinam has spread to more than 70 countries and territories worldwide, involving over 2.5 million practitioners.
Mai Huu Tin, President of the World Vovinam Federation and President of the Vietnam Vovinam Federation, shared that the recognition of Vovinam as the National Intangible Cultural Heritage is the result of generations’ efforts over the course of 85 years in forming and developing the martial art. This is a necessary step towards making Vovinam a global intangible cultural heritage.
Performance program of Vovinam – Viet Vo Dao. Photo by Vietnam News Agency
In Vietnam, the federation plans to expand Vovinam across all 63 provinces and cities, promoting Vovinam in schools, and enhancing the quantity and quality of practitioners. Another determined goal is the establishment of the Vovinam Academy, expected to be located in Ho Chi Minh City, promising to be a training ground for Vovinam not only for Vietnam but also for countries worldwide.
Scheduled from November 22 to 30, 2023, the 7th World Vovinam Championship will take place at Phu Tho Indoor Stadium (Ho Chi Minh City). Currently, the championship has attracted more than 650 athletes, coaches, team leaders, and referees from 35 countries and territories.