(Baonghean.vn) - On the morning of June 6th, the Nghe An Vovinam Association held a traditional commemoration day to remember the founder Nguyen Loc on the 55th anniversary of his passing (1960 - 2015), and to educate the younger generation about the traditions and martial arts philosophy of the Vietnamese martial arts school.
The event was attended by representatives from the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, universities and colleges in the area, martial arts master Phan Ngoc Lan, Vice President of the Nghe An Vovinam Association, and a large number of coaches and students from the Vovinam school in Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces.
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| Master Phan Ngoc Lan, coaches, and students of the Vovinam school in Nghe An respectfully commemorate the anniversary of the founding patriarch Nguyen Loc. |
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| A solemn flag-raising ceremony and a tribute to the founder of the martial arts school. |
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| Vovinam practitioners, regardless of age or gender, all share the same philosophy: "A steel hand placed upon a compassionate heart." |
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| Master Phan Ngoc Lan, Vice President of the Nghe An Vovinam Association, respectfully paid tribute and lit incense at the altar of Founder Nguyen Loc on the anniversary of his death. |
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| Coaches and students of the Vovinam school in Nghe An - Ha Tinh respectfully offered incense at the altar of the founder on the 55th anniversary of his death. |
Vovinam – Vietnamese martial arts – is a unique martial art school founded by Master Nguyen Loc in 1938, refined from the cultural essence and martial arts of Vietnam. With its purely Vietnamese nature, Vovinam aims to instill in generations of Vietnamese youth patriotism, a meaningful life with a strong body, sharp intellect, a kind heart, and high moral standards, guided by the principle of "A steel hand placed on a compassionate heart."
Over the years, the Vovinam martial art has continuously grown and developed throughout the country and spread to nearly 60 countries worldwide. Vovinam has also been selected as an official sport representing Vietnamese martial arts at major sporting events such as the SEA Games, the Asian Indoor Games, and many continental and world-scale tournaments. In Vietnam, Vovinam has competed in the National Sports Festival, the Phu Dong Sports Festival, and has been chosen by the Ministry of Education and Training as one of the physical education subjects in universities, colleges, and high schools.
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| A synchronized performance of introductory Vovinam techniques by students from Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces on the anniversary of a death. |
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| Before the portrait of the founding master, generations of disciples pledge to follow his example, striving wholeheartedly for the cause of martial arts in order to serve the country. |
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| A demonstration of weapon-based sparring by the Nghe An Vovinam Club. |
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| Subduing an opponent in the Women's Self-Defense section. |
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| One of the 21 attacking leg techniques, a strength of Vovinam, is demonstrated by the instructors. |
The Nghe An Vovinam Association was established by the People's Committee of Nghe An Province according to Decision No. 3274/QD-UBND dated July 15, 2014, with the aim of developing the Vovinam training movement among the province's youth. With the resilient spirit of the people of Nghe An and the martial arts spirit of "dedication and selfless service" of Vovinam practitioners, from the first Vovinam club at Phan Boi Chau Specialized High School, to the present day, many more clubs have been established at universities such as Vinh University, Van Xuan University, Viet-Korean Vocational College, and several other districts and towns. Over the years, the Nghe An Vovinam team has consistently ranked in the Top 5 or Top 6 in the national medal standings.
This traditional day celebration is also an opportunity for Vovinam practitioners from Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces to meet, exchange cultural ideas, perform martial arts demonstrations, and strengthen their camaraderie.
Tran Hai
