Thanh Hoa, Vietnam – The vibrant tradition of Vovinam, a Vietnamese martial art, was on full display this past week in Thanh Hoa Province, marking the beginning of the Lunar New Year with a dynamic festival. The 11th Thanh Hoa Province Vovinam Club Festival, held on , 2026 – the 4th day of the Lunar New Year, Year of the Horse – transformed Lam Son Square in Hac Thanh Ward into a hub of athletic prowess and cultural celebration.
Organized jointly by the Thanh Hoa Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Thanh Hoa Vovinam Federation, and the People’s Committee of Hac Thanh Ward, the festival is a longstanding annual event designed to honor the values and beauty of Vovinam while fostering a spirit of community and healthy living. A representative from the organizing committee emphasized that the festival serves “not only an opportunity for martial arts practitioners to interact and learn from each other, but also a practical activity that contributes to preserving and promoting the essence of national martial arts in modern life.”
This year’s festival drew a large and diverse field of competitors, with clubs and athletes of all ages participating in a wide range of events. Younger athletes, aged 7-11, showcased their skills in individual cross-style boxing and team Yonghuquan boxing, while those aged 12-15 competed in events like men’s Four Juken, women’s Yongho Quan, and dual swordsmanship. Athletes 16 and older demonstrated a higher level of technical and physical skill in competitions including men’s five-point kwon and women’s dragon tiger kwon.
Beyond the core competitive events, the festival featured two particularly captivating performances: a lion dance and a martial arts demonstration set to music. The lion dance, performed by a team of seven athletes, was described as “lively and impressive,” with participants exhibiting both elegance and intensity. The performance combined acrobatic stunts, high-altitude climbing, and synchronized movements with the rhythm of drums and music, drawing enthusiastic applause from the audience.
The martial arts demonstration with music, featuring a team of ten male and female athletes, further highlighted the artistry and athleticism inherent in Vovinam. These performances underscored the organizers’ commitment to not only preserving the technical aspects of the martial art but also to showcasing its cultural significance.
The festival’s success, according to organizers, reflects the continued vitality of the Vovinam movement within the region. It’s a testament to the art’s ability to transcend mere sport, establishing itself as a cultural space that connects generations of practitioners and instills a sense of national pride.
Competition was fierce, culminating in an overall victory for Hoang Loc Township Vovinam Club, who secured 6 gold medals, 1 silver, and 2 bronze. Sam Son Vo Vinam Club finished second with 4 gold, 4 silver, and 4 bronze medals, while Xi’an Duong Club rounded out the top three with 2 gold and 4 silver medals. The organizing committee awarded medals and certificates to the top performers in each event, with the lion dance and martial arts music categories sharing a third-place ranking.
The festival concluded on a high note, leaving a lasting impression of a vibrant spring season for the martial arts community in Thanh Hoa Province. The event served as a powerful reminder of Vovinam’s enduring legacy and its continued relevance in modern Vietnamese culture. The festival also supports the “National Movement for Physical Training Following the Example of President Ho Chi Minh,” promoting an active and healthy lifestyle throughout the community.
Vovinam’s presence was also strongly felt at the Thanh Hoa Sports Festival 2025, held in October of last year. Over 300 martial artists proudly displayed their traditional green uniforms at the opening ceremony, signaling the start of a series of spirited competitions. The tournament featured 28 events, encompassing sparring, forms, and self-defense techniques, demonstrating the breadth and depth of the discipline.
