How to Practice Vietnamese Martial Arts

Although lesser known than other forms of martial arts, Vietnamese martial arts have a rich tradition spanning hundreds of years. Vietnamese martial arts incorporate elements that are similar to Chinese Kung Fu and Muay Thai. The martial arts of Vietnam rely on quickness and agility and offer a vigorous workout to practitioners.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Consider the history and traditions of Vietnamese martial arts. The foundations of Vietnamese martial arts can be traced back over 2000 years, but modern records reach back 300 to 400 years. At that time, all Vietnamese martial arts were known as Viet Vo Dao (martial way of Viets) or Vo Thuat (art of hand-to-hand combat).

2. Study the modern schools of Vietnamese martial arts. These modern schools gave rise to the many martial arts styles which are prevalent today. It was in the 1930s, under the French colonial rule of Vietnam, that Nguyen Loc (1912-1960) revived Vietnamese martial arts. Nguyen Loc called his school Vovinam Viet Vo Dao ("the philosophy of Vietnamese martial arts") and he spread his training techniques across the country as a way to resist the French.

3. Follow the training of Hiep-Tinh-Mon Vietnam School, which was founded by Grandmaster Quoc Dung in 1957. This technique combines mastery of external and internal forces, such as in Tai Chi, and fighting techniques adapted from the Green Berets and Airborne Rangers.

4. Locate a master instructor through an affiliated Vietnamese martial arts school. Vietnamese martial arts masters can be found in areas of America with large populations of Vietnamese people such as California and along the Gulf Coast.

5. Practice several styles of Vietnamese martial arts to find a suitable style. Visit several schools and observe practice and ask to speak to the master instructors. As in other forms of martial arts, there is enough variation in fighting style to insure an appropriate martial arts style can be found.

Resources

• Consider Cuong Nhu Oriental Martial Arts.
• See Vietnamese styles at USA Dojo.
• Research Vietnam's fighting styles at Best Martial Arts.

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[passerby]

on 2/19/2009 Practitioners must accumulate enough Dao and Cong before they could practice Quyen. However, these three are not separated during the process and Dao is considered the ultimate goal of practicing.If you want to practice Vietnamese Martial arts, go to Vietnam. It's cheap to learn but nearly impossible for you as it requires time. Vietvodao (vovinam) is a good choice as it has Vietnamese tradition, it is practical, easy to learn and it is reachable for you.

[passerby]

on 2/19/2009 There are many different styles of martial arts in Vietnam. While some styles are public, the others aren't as people want to keep the topmost techniques as secret themselves (families...). It is not easy to register for a traditional style.Vietnamese Martial Arts are not known as Viet Vo Dao. Viet Vo Dao is only one style between hundreds different styles of Vietnamese Martial Arts those are called by a common name Vo Co Truyen (traditional martial arts). Viet Vo Dao (vovinam) is famous outside the country but the most famous style of Vietnamese Martial arts is Binh Dinh Quyen or Tay Son, this was once the official style that used for training soldiers to fight with enemy.Training process includes Dao (moral principles, philosophy), Cong (fundamentals, physical strength) and Quyen Thuat or Quyen (techniques). Practitioners must accumulate enough Dao and Cong before they could practice Q