Director of the Department of Sports and Physical Training Dang Ha Viet (left) presents the Certificate of Vovinam - Viet Vo Dao as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage to the Vovinam - Viet Vo Dao sect.
Cultural Ambassador
This is the second time the World Vovinam tournament has been held in Vietnam after the first time in 2011. This year's tournament is very special as it recorded the largest number of participating countries and members in history with more than 650 officials, referees, coaches, athletes from 35 countries with developed Vovinam movements in 4 continents: Asia, Europe, Africa and Australia. To make the tournament more special and score points in the eyes of international friends, the host country has sponsored all meals, accommodation, and domestic travel for the participating delegations. More importantly, the host country has been, is, and will continue to strive to organize a successful tournament, leaving a strong impression on international friends, thereby introducing the culture, image, country, and people of Vietnam through the national martial art of Vovinam - Viet Vo Dao.
In the days when Vovinam students around the world have the opportunity to return to their homeland - Vietnam, this is a "golden" opportunity for Vovinam to affirm its increasingly strong development and integration into the international sports family. Vovinam has been and is an effective ambassador and cultural diplomacy tool of Vietnam to promote culture, the image of its people, and the S-shaped country with strong national identity to international friends through festivals, political - cultural - social events held in Vietnam and internationally, which is a great pride of the Vietnamese people in particular and martial arts fans around the world in general. Thereby affirming the level and capacity to organize and operate large-scale sports competitions of Vietnamese sports and Vovinam.
In his welcoming speech to the delegations attending the tournament, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Phan Van Mai affirmed: "This event welcomes international friends to gather here not only to compete, but also as an opportunity to learn, share with each other, to understand each other better about the land and people of the homeland of Vietnamese martial arts, to better understand the martial spirit - the spirit of Vietnamese martial arts, so that we can love, preserve and develop Vietnamese martial arts all over the world. Since the last time hosting the tournament in 2011, Ho Chi Minh City in general and the city's sports have changed a lot, especially we have witnessed the strong development of Vovinam to more than 70 countries and territories. Vovinam has been and is a cultural ambassador connecting the international community in the spirit of martial arts, the spirit of Vietnamese martial arts".
Vovinam has been and is a cultural ambassador connecting the international community in the spirit of martial arts, the spirit of Vietnamese martial arts.
Historic step
2023 is considered a special year for Vietnamese Vovinam. Before organizing the world championship, Vovinam celebrated the 111th anniversary of the birth of Founder Nguyen Loc, the 85th anniversary of the founding of the sect and welcomed the successful WVVF World Vovinam Federation Congress, Term III (2023-2027). Another special event is that Vovinam - Viet Vo Dao was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. According to the decision signed by Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung on November 10, 2023, Vovinam - Viet Vo Dao was included in the list of National Intangible Cultural Heritage (folk performing arts, folk knowledge). This is the result of the efforts of many generations of Vovinam students during the 85 years of formation and development of the sect, and it is also a historical step to make Vovinam an intangible cultural heritage of the world.
Dr. Mai Huu Tin, President of the World Vovinam Federation, President of the Vietnam Vovinam Federation said: “Vovinam is being practiced in 70 countries and territories across five continents, with millions of students. Among them, many countries have very strong movements and can completely compete with Vietnam such as Algeria, Cambodia... Vovinam World Championship, European Championship, Asian Championship, Southeast Asian Championship are also held annually. Vovinam being recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage is the result of many generations in the 85-year process of formation and development of the sect. This is a necessary step to move towards making Vovinam an Intangible Cultural Heritage of the world”.
Over 85 years of formation and development, Vovinam has made great contributions to Vietnamese and world martial arts. With a system of national, scientific, practical, creative techniques along with a martial philosophy, Vovinam has contributed to introducing Vietnamese culture, country and people to the international community. Vovinam contributes to building a well-rounded person, cultivating a better life, training the body in parallel with cultivating the spirit to become people with will, determination, tolerance, virtue, knowing how to live for everyone, seeking common happiness for family and society.
Vovinam is now present in over 70 countries and territories. Several continental and regional Vovinam organizations have been established in Asia, Europe, Africa, Southeast Asia, South Asia and the Arab world. World championships and several continental, regional and national championships and cups have been held periodically with the great efforts of foreign students. In Vietnam, the Vovinam Federation is pursuing a strategy to preserve, protect and develop Vovinam both domestically and internationally. The Federation will develop Vovinam in all 63 provinces and cities and further promote the Vovinam movement in schools as well as improve the quantity and quality of students.
VINH HY
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