From a scrawny boy to a martial arts master from the mountainous region.

HUE "DÁCH"

"Martial arts has changed my life, and I believe it will change the lives of many others," - that's the heartfelt statement of Tran Van Hue (born in 1988) when talking about his passion for martial arts.

Martial arts master Tran Van Hue (left). Photo: Provided by the interviewee.

After graduating from high school, although she really wanted to study martial arts at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Physical Education and Sports, to please her parents, Hue enrolled in the mechanical engineering major at the University of Economics and Industrial Technology. Throughout her time as a student, Hue persistently nurtured her passion for martial arts. To earn money for martial arts lessons, Hue worked as a waitress and security guard in the mornings, attended school in the afternoons, and then went to two martial arts classes in the evenings from 6 pm to 8 pm and from 8 pm to 10 pm. Hue recalled: "During that time, because I worked and trained so much, I had a huge appetite, equivalent to that of 4-5 normal people. The income from my jobs wasn't high, but it helped my parents and allowed me to financially support my passion."

Hue and her students performed a charity fundraising show. Photo: Provided by the artist.

Learning martial arts requires perseverance and rigorous training. Countless times, Hue returned to her dorm room with injuries and bruises after each training session. Before old wounds could heal, new ones would appear. Hue vividly remembers the Iron Wire Fist exercise from her final year of university. It was one of the most difficult exercises, demanding mental effort, perfected skills, and physical readiness. During training, each hand would wear a 10kg metal ring; if not performed correctly or without sufficient effort, the exercise would be counterproductive and harmful to health.

Hue's diligence and hard work finally paid off. The skinny student gradually improved both physically and technically, and was frequently invited to be an assistant instructor for famous martial arts masters.

The Tinh Tam martial arts school in Quy Hop, run by martial arts master Tran Van Hue. Photo: PV

Martial arts not only brought Hue good health, but also good friends and profound experiences. Hue shared: "I've studied many martial arts styles, but my greatest passion is..."traditional martial arts"The essence of traditional martial arts is to use softness to overcome hardness, to use weakness to overcome strength. Learning martial arts is also about learning self-control and patience. Once you overcome physical pain, you will become stronger and calmer mentally," Huệ said.

"MARTIAL ARTS" OF THE MOUNTAIN REGION

Hue returned to his hometown of Quy Hop, Nghe An province, to start his career with the concern: "How can I build a stronger martial arts community in my hometown?" At that time, martial arts classes there were small, scattered, and often did not last long. Hue began applying for certifications from UNESCO, the National Martial Arts Federation, the Provincial Martial Arts Federation, and obtaining permission from the local cultural department to enroll students… To encourage people to practice martial arts, Hue developed a tuition fee policy based on "households," meaning that if one family member paid the tuition, the whole family could attend the martial arts school for free. This policy attracted many students, including parents and siblings. Some parents even became instructors at the school after attending classes with their children for a period of time.

The Tinh Tam martial arts school has achieved many high-ranking results in tournaments throughout the province. (Photo: Provided by the school)

Overcoming initial prejudices and competition, Hue's "Tinh Tam" martial arts school has grown increasingly popular and become a source of pride for the people of Quy Hop. Hue and her students participate in martial arts performances at numerous large and small events throughout the province. Hue shared: "Interspersed within the martial arts lessons, I always share with the students stories about national heroes such as the Trung Sisters, Trieu Sisters, Ngo Quyen, Hung Dao Vuong, Ly Thuong Kiet, the Lam Son army, and the national hero Quang Trung - Nguyen Hue… Learning traditional martial arts means learning about the glorious history of the nation, learning about gratitude to our ancestors who sacrificed for peace, and learning about a vast martial arts tradition. From there, they develop a sense of self-improvement, live responsibly, nurture national pride, and continue the patriotic spirit of our forefathers…"

To impart martial arts knowledge, a martial arts master must be an enlightened being to serve as an example for their students. Hue has achieved this. His seriousness in training, his generosity and kindness in dealing with people, his determination and perseverance in the face of difficulties, and his sense of responsibility towards himself, his family, and society... have convinced everyone. That is why at Tinh Tam, stories of students cycling dozens of kilometers every day to learn martial arts, treating the dojo as their home, and students wholeheartedly following their teacher's instructions are not uncommon.

The name "Tranquility" of the martial arts school also holds many meanings that Hue wants to convey: The true strength of martial arts lies in the mind; when the mind is calm, the heart contains martial arts. A calm mind will feel every breath, every life, know how to distinguish right from wrong, good from bad, without rivalry, envy, or greed…

Hue has spread her love for traditional martial arts to many people. Photo: Provided by the interviewee.

After nearly 10 years of development, Hue's martial arts school has expanded its club both within and outside the province, with thousands of students. For many consecutive years, the school has won first place overall in the Nghe An Traditional Martial Arts Open Tournament, contributing many athletes to the provincial Sports Center. Hue has become a renowned martial arts master and was elected as the Vice Head of the Professional Committee of the Association.Martial artsTraditional martial arts of Nghe An province. Recently, the Tran family of Vietnam established the Tran Gia martial arts school, and Hue was entrusted with the responsibility of preserving, building, and developing it.

Sharing her happiness at being involved with traditional martial arts, Hue humbly said: “I am just trying to preserve the traditions of my ancestors. Watching the students lined up neatly, enthusiastically practicing in the old Bai Tap area of ​​Chau Ly (now Tam Hop commune, Quy Hop district, Nghe An province), I feel as if the heroic spirit of the 'Thunderous Battle of Bo Dang, the lightning-fast battle of Tra Lan, where bamboo split and ashes flew' is being recreated, making me happy with what I am doing.”