Ignite the flame of passion.

(Baonghean) - Currently, Nghe An has over 1,000 students of the Vovinam (Vietnamese martial arts) school. What makes Vovinam so quickly embraced by the youth of Nghe An? Could it be the solemn opening ceremony, "The iron hand placed on a compassionate heart," that has created the "attraction" of a martial art full of humanistic values?

On the Vovinam training ground of Phan Boi Chau High School for the Gifted, we witnessed outstanding performances by students from various places. The Dragon Tiger Fist, the Sun and Moon Saber Weapon Fist, the 21 attacking leg techniques... all were powerful and graceful, forceful yet soft. After each performance, the students placed their hands over their hearts in a solemn ceremony: "The steel hand placed upon the compassionate heart."

Group performance of introductory martial arts techniques.

To achieve the strong development and widespread popularity of Vovinam in Nghe An today, Vietnamese martial arts have gone through many ups and downs. Without the burning passion of those who paved the way, it would have been difficult to succeed and establish a purely Vietnamese martial art. One such person is Coach Tran Van Bien, a young teacher born in 1983, who played a key role in bringing this martial art to Nghe An. Bien became involved with this martial art at the age of 18, during a visit to his uncle's house in Vung Tau. Although his uncle taught Shaolin martial arts, Bien was deeply impressed by Vietnamese martial arts through a conversation with a Vovinam instructor at the Vung Tau Multi-Purpose Gymnasium when his uncle took him there.

After a short time practicing this martial art, Bien had to temporarily set aside his passion to pursue his livelihood. At the end of 2006, his connection with Vovinam smiled upon him once again when he met Master Pham Quang Long (President of the Hanoi Vovinam Federation) online. Master Long guided and encouraged him to pursue his passion, providing him with materials and books. Once the flame of passion was rekindled, it was difficult to extinguish it. In 2007, Bien traveled to Hanoi to meet Master Long, who provided him with food and accommodation while he studied and accepted him as a disciple. The short time spent with his teacher helped Bien clearly define his path. Upon his departure, his teacher instructed him, "You have a responsibility to return and develop the Vovinam movement in Nghe An province, making it stronger in many aspects..."

Overcoming obstacles.

In the early days, teaching this martial art faced countless difficulties. Everything started from scratch: no headquarters, no funding, and no public support because it was so new. Some people in his hometown even submitted petitions to the commune demanding the dissolution of his classes. In 2009, Bien decided to return to Vinh City to establish his own martial arts school. Collaborating with teacher Thai Van Phuc, the Phan Boi Chau High School Martial Arts Club – the first Vovinam club in Vinh City – was finally established. But this also brought a series of difficulties. There were months when his teaching salary wasn't enough to cover rent, forcing him to temporarily live in a construction site shack. Bien also had to take on various jobs, from marketing confectionery and welding to working as a construction laborer.

Over the past six years, Vovinam has spread to almost all localities throughout the province. There are now 7 clubs in schools, wards, and communes in Vinh City. Many other districts such as Thanh Chuong, Do Luong, Yen Thanh, Quy Chau, Cua Lo, Hung Nguyen... have gradually seen the emergence of martial arts clubs for students and teachers wearing blue uniforms – the color of hope and compassion. Gradually establishing its path and position, Vietnamese martial arts in Nghe An now have over 30 coaches and more than 1,000 regularly practicing students. In a conversation with us, martial arts master Phan Lan, a businessman from Nghe An province residing in Hanoi, who is deeply committed to Vovinam and serves as the Vice President of Vovinam in Nghe An province and is also responsible for the professional aspects, stated, "From a time when parents were hesitant about Vovinam because they thought it was a martial art focused on combat and heavy striking, now, in addition to their children's education, many people strongly support their children's participation in Vietnamese martial arts because they see the 'way' (Dao) in this martial art as something more profound. They know this is a martial art that clearly emphasizes 'dedication and contribution'."

Female martial artist Duong Thi Hoa (a student majoring in Mathematics Education at Vinh University) from the Vovinam Club of Military Region IV, who has been practicing Vietnamese martial arts for nearly two years and is preparing to advance to the first blue belt, said, "At first, I only intended to practice for health, but now I'm truly passionate about it. Because clearly, this is a truly Vietnamese martial art, purely Vietnamese right from the blue uniform which I find very appealing. That makes me feel proud." Coming to Vovinam, we can see that there is no discrimination based on age, background, or profession.

Coach Tran Van Hoc (Second Dan Black Belt, Coach at Quang Trung Secondary School) shared: "Previously, I wasn't very healthy. After finishing high school, I studied at the Tu Liem martial arts school in Hanoi under Master Nguyen Dinh Thang. Now, in life, I am very confident and agile in all interactions. Especially, my physical fitness has improved significantly."

To this day, Vovinam – Vietnamese martial arts – has developed strongly both domestically and internationally, becoming the only Vietnamese martial art to compete in international arenas, such as the SEA Games and the Asian Indoor Games. In Nghe An, besides developing grassroots Vovinam clubs, the high-performance Vovinam team of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, under the leadership of Coach Tran Trong Cuong, has achieved many successes in competitions and national tournaments. In recent years, the Nghe An Vovinam team has consistently ranked in the Top 5 or Top 6 in the national medal standings. On July 15, 2014, the People's Committee of Nghe An province authorized the establishment of the Nghe An Vovinam Association through Decision No. 3274/QD-UBND. This opened a new and bright chapter for the Vovinam martial art in Nghe An.

Text and photos:Tran Hai