Vovinam – Vietnamese martial arts was founded by late martial arts instructor Nguyen Loc (1912 – 1960), who lived in Huu Bang commune, Thach that district. His aspiration and ambition was to develop a sport of traditional, scientific and modern martial arts which helps provide the youth with a method to practice and improve their health conditions bearing the national branding.
Vovinam performance by martial arts learners in Thach that district
Based on the Vietnamese traditional wrestling and martial arts, Nguyen Loc made full use of creams in fashion of the world’s martial arts in combining and dispelling, especially in improving one’s skill background. Therefore, the system of techniques (as methodical stroke and position) of Vovinam are relatively plentiful, diversified and characteristic: Practical, uninterrupted, hard and soft combination (applying scientic principles and their relevance in a way that one is developed into three). By adopting this method, it helps practitioners well practice and firmly understand the skills and techniques taught so as to master effectively in factual situations. In 1938, Nguyen Loc started to train some of his closest friends Vovinam for trial, then brought them to show at Ha Noi Opera House, which resulted in a big resound. In 1954, he together with some of his hearted disciples headed for the south to open a school to teach Vovinam in various areas. At present, Vovinam has been widespreaded all over the world.
Huu Bang commune often holds belt-upgrading tests for learners
Continuing to build on what the ancestor has left to the successors in Huu Bang commune, nowadays villagers as well as the young generation, apart from accumulating knowledge through their study, they are actively participating in Vovinam exercising to health betterment. Though the founder of Vovinam is from Huu Bang commune, in recent 5 years now, courses teaching Vovinam have just started to open, each has about 100 followers at the age of primary schoolers. Expenses for their learning are donated by families used to buy carpets and practice gears. The biggest success of Vovinam in Thach That district must be attributable to, in 2012, the son of Huu Bang commune, who have participated in Vovinam martial arts tournament of Ha Noi. They won a huge victory with 9 gold medals. 14 silvers, 7 bronzes. The names which have become the great prides for the martial arts soil are Nguyen Dinh Nguyen – gold medal in four corner stick and fist performance at Ha Noi Vovinam Championship; Nguyen Thi Trinh – gold medal in the knockout fight of Ha Noi youth tournament at 42kg; Nguyen Huu Chien – silver medal in the national youth tournament – 2012 and silver medal in Phu Dong National Physical Sports Congress in 2013… These lofty achievements have represented the deep reverends of the young generation in Huu Bang commune dedicated to offer their martial arts founder. Presently, primary schools in Thach That area, including Canh Nau, Binh Phu, Huu Bang,.. are opening Vovinam martial arts courses, each class attracts appropximately 50 to 100 members. Some others are also available at the District Physical Sports Centre.
The house of worship of the Vovinam founder, instructor Nguyen Loc located at Gieng hamlet, Huu Bang commune now is still keeping lots of his images. Even though, busied with their handicraft business and services, Huu Bang people are always bearing in their mind that the sport spirits should be safeguarded to the future young generations so as to follow the footsteps of the martial arts founder.
By Mai Chi