Opening of the 2025 Ho Chi Minh City International Martial Arts Festival

VHO - On the evening of November 21, in the central area of ​​Ho Chi Minh City, the opening ceremony of the Ho Chi Minh City International Martial Arts Festival 2025 took place. With the theme "Vietnamese Martial Arts - Connecting Peace", the Festival is a highly anticipated event for martial arts lovers at home and abroad.

This year, the Festival takes place from November 21 to 23, attracting international martial arts delegations from Korea, China, Japan, India, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and more than 20 domestic delegations, along with thousands of martial arts masters, coaches, students and martial arts lovers.

Vice Chairwoman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Tran Thi Dieu Thuy speaks at the opening ceremony

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Tran Thi Dieu Thuy said: "The Ho Chi Minh City International Martial Arts Festival is an annual event to honor the martial spirit of the Vietnamese people and spread the image of a peaceful , compassionate and integrated country.

This year, the Festival is not only a playground for martial arts lovers, but also a space for international cultural exchange, where the quintessence of Vietnamese martial arts is connected with many unique martial arts schools in the world . Through that, the City continues to affirm its role as a civilized, modern, dynamic, humane urban area, with an open and proactive spirit of integration.

Ms. Tran Thi Dieu Thuy also said that Ho Chi Minh City is proud to be one of the localities with a strongly developing martial arts movement, with many athletes achieving high results at the SEA Games, ASIAD, Olympics and world championships, contributing positively to the image of a dynamic, confident and integrated Vietnam.

The organizing committee awarded the groups that contributed to the success of the Festival.

With the spirit of "Connecting peace - Spreading human values", Ho Chi Minh City commits to continue expanding international cooperation in the fields of sports , culture and tourism; promoting people-to-people exchanges; and building the City into a center of regional and international sports and cultural events.

The Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee believes that this year's Festival will continue to be a bridge of friendship between countries and territories; a symbol of respect, understanding and cooperation for a world of peace, stability and sustainable development.

Vovinam impressive opening

The opening ceremony was impressive with a martial arts performance combining traditional art and modern sound and light.

With the outdoor arena stage, the audience enjoyed eye-catching performances from Traditional Martial Arts, Vovinam, Taekwondo, Karate, Judo, Wushu, Muay, Aikido, Pencak Silat, MMA and Lion and Dragon Dance,...

Taekwondo performance is very collective.

The festival not only stops at performances but also focuses on professionalism through international training sessions and workshops.

Vietnamese martial arts students have the opportunity to directly interact and learn from leading experts in many martial arts in the world. This is in line with the direction of improving the quality of martial arts movement in Ho Chi Minh City and creating integration opportunities for the younger generation.

Stick fighting performance at the Opening Ceremony

Within the framework of the Festival, the International Martial Arts Competition will take place from November 22 and 23, with performances of forms, techniques and ensemble performances of Vietnamese schools and disciplines.

Performance by Pencak Silat fighters

The closing event on the evening of November 23rd honored outstanding martial artists, excellent troupes and performed the art of "Vietnamese martial arts spirit - from Ho Chi Minh City spreading the quintessence to the world".

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/khai-mac-lien-hoan-vo-thuat-quoc-te-tphcm-2025-183017.html