On the afternoon of July 14, 2025, at the headquarters of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration, the delegation of the World Vovinam - Viet Vo Dao Federation (WVVD) led by Master Tran Nguyen Dao - Chairman of the World Council of Martial Arts Masters - had an official working session and paid a courtesy call to Director Nguyen Trung Khanh and leaders of key departments of the Department.
Martial Arts – Tourism – Culture: Connecting Vietnamese values, spreading globally
Director Nguyen Trung Khanh: "International martial artists are true ambassadors of Vietnamese culture"
Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh, Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (first from left) welcomed the delegation of the World Vovinam Federation
Speaking at the reception, Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh - Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism affirmed: "International martial artists and students are 'Vietnamese cultural ambassadors' who have been contributing to inspiring and spreading the national identity, morality and beauty of Vietnamese martial arts to international friends. We highly appreciate the efforts to connect martial arts and tourism - a new and promising direction, linking cultural depth with tourism experiences."
He also emphasized the potential for developing tourism models combining martial arts, heritage,education and performing arts, especially in localities with a long history of martial arts such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Dinh, Can Tho, Da Lat and the Central Highlands.
Speeches of the delegates of the World Vovinam – Viet Vo Dao delegation
Dr. Vo Danh Hai - Vice President of the World Martial Arts Association, Chairman of the WVVD International Advisory Committee - spoke on behalf of the delegation: "We not only bring martial arts techniques, but also Vietnamese culture, traditions and spirit. These are suitable values to build experiential - cultural - educational - spiritual tourism models aimed at international youth. We hope to continue to cooperate with the Department of Tourism to build routes called 'Journey in the footsteps of Vietnamese martial arts'. "
Master Sene Abdoulaye – President of Vovinam Senegal presented a souvenir to Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh, Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism
People's Artist Trong Trinh - Vice President of the Vietnam Lion and Dragon Federation, shared: "The Lion and Dragon show has martial arts, music, costumes, legends and performing arts. It is a complete cultural product, easily integrated into performance and event tourism. We are ready to accompany the tourism industry to bring national martial arts into the mass cultural and tourism life."
Master Guerris Mai - President of the Vovinam - Viet Vo Dao Federation of the French Republic presented a souvenir to Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh, Director of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration
Master Nguyen Van Hiep - Director of the Vietnam Martial Arts Training Science Institute - emphasized: "The Institute wishes to cooperate in research, training, and development of systematic martial arts tourism programs - with standard curriculum, professional instructors, and direct links with the school and international community. This is a sustainable approach, bringing real value. "
Master Guerris Mai – President of the Vovinam – Viet Vo Dao Federation of the French Republic shared: “In France, we have organized courses on ‘Culture Vietnamienne et Vovinam’ (Vietnamese Culture and Vovinam) for local students. If supported by the Vietnamese tourism industry, we can completely design tours to experience Vietnamese martial arts in Hanoi, Hue or Saigon – combined with cultural relics and famous martial arts families. ”
Representatives of some Vovinam federations in other countries also sent to Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh, Director of Vietnam National Tourism Administration.
Mr. Sene Abdoulaye – President of Vovinam Senegal, representative of Africa said: “We come to Vietnam not only to learn martial arts but also to learn culture and ethics. My students in Senegal wish to come to Vietnam, to live and practice in the homeland of Vovinam. I believe that with the support from the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, we can build cultural and martial arts tourism programs for African youth in the future."
Strategic connection between units under the National Tourism Administration
Also attending and speaking at the meeting were leaders of professional units:
– Mr. Nguyen Quy Phuong – Head of International Relations and Tourism Promotion Department
– Mr. Vu Van Thanh – Head of Tourist Accommodation Department
– Mr. Hoang Dao Dung – Head of Travel Department
– Mr. Hoang Quoc Hoa – Director of Tourism Information Center
The World Vovinam – Viet Vo Dao Federation delegation worked with the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism in implementing interdisciplinary initiatives between martial arts – tourism – education – communication.
The representatives all affirmed their readiness to coordinate and support the delegation in implementing interdisciplinary initiatives between martial arts - tourism - education - communication.
After the working session, the two sides also agreed on many important issues, notably the topic "Journey in the footsteps of Vo Viet" in the National Tourism Communication Strategy.
The two sides agreed:
• Develop the topic "Journey in the footsteps of Vo Viet" in the National Tourism Communication Strategy.
• Organize martial arts and cultural performances at festivals and tourist events at home and abroad.
• Piloting the tourism model "A day as a Vietnamese martial arts master" for international visitors, combining the experience of training, wearing martial arts uniforms, having meals at the martial arts school, and listening to stories about the Founder.
• Accompany the Ho Chi Minh City International Martial Arts Festival 2025 as a model event connecting culture - sports - tourism.
The meeting is a vivid demonstration of the new vision: to make martial arts a part of Vietnam's cultural tourism ecosystem - not only to promote but also to preserve and spread the national spirit to international friends.
Thuy Linh (Hanoi July 14, 2025)
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