Vietnam Martial Art

Vietnamese martial arts are influenced by efforts to defend the country from foreign occupations (China, France, and Japan) and also by the people whom Vietnam conquered (Champa). The most influential in the country's martial arts is China with its thousand-year occupation of Vietnam. But through thousands of years of internal, civil strife: dynastic changes (dynasties), foreign conquests, warlordism and guerrilla tactics, the Vietnamese martial artist use what they learned from their neighbors and evolved a unique form of martial arts.

The martial arts were used by Vietnamese kings to train their troops and to defend the country against China's invasions against Vietnam. In addition to the army, family clans and Buddhist temples cultivated a variety of styles to defend themselves in national disputes.

Vietnamese Martial Art Short History
Due to the wide range of influences there is no definable point in time where Vietnamese martial arts started to live. Vietnam, as a distinct entity has officially existed since apx. 200 BCE, though first human settlement can even be traced back to 2876 BC.

Despite the problematic relationship with the Chinese, the Vietnamese adopted a lot of the Chinese culture and philosophy. Even officials not only had to be able to use the brush but also the sword. There was an academy of martial arts in the capitol, Thang Long, today's Hanoi, since the 11th century (Ly Dynasty(1010-1225), Tran Dynasty(1225-1400)).
When talking about Vietnamese martial art people started to use "Vo Thuat" (martial art).

While Vietnam was separated in several states many martial arts were created. During the Tay Son Rebellion (1771-1788) quite a few of them arose. Binh Dinh Province, where the rebels were based, is still a place of many martial arts.

During the time Vietnam had to suffer the French colonialisation, traditional martial arts were forbidden - but kept developing secretly.

1938 Nguyen Loc introduced his martial arts school where he taught "Vo Thuat" mainly to Vietnamese youth with the intent to develop stronger national identity with the ultimate goal of achieving independence from French domination. He named his style style Vovinam, or Martial arts of Vietnam.

In 1960, Master Nguyen Loc died, passing leadership to Master Le Sang. In 1964, Vovinam organized its first council of masters and formally adopted Việt Võ Đạo into its name as Vovinam-Việt Võ Đạo.

Vietnamese Styles
Now, more than 70 years later, most of the Vietnamese martial art schools worldwide emerging from Vo Thuat Co Truyen's development practice Vo Thuat: Vovinam Viet Vo Dao/Vo Vietnam (Nguyen Duc Moc and Nguyen Loc)), Vo Thuat (Nguyen Van Trung), Vo Binh Dinh (Thanh Long), Han Bai (Tran Minh Long), Nguyen Trung Hoa.

In Vietnam itself many people practice Vo Co Truyen, Vovinam-Vietvodao, Thieu Lam Viet Nam, Kim Ke, Phakwondo - Hóa Quyền Đạo, Hong Gia Viet Nam Nam Huynh Dao, Vo Binh Dinh, Tay Son, Lam Son, Nhat Nam.

Also there are various Sino-Vietnamese styles, styles that are only partially Vietnamese. Example: Thieu Lam or Bach My Phai that were popular among Chinese who lived in Vietnam. Other styles include My Hoa Quyen (Meihuaquan) and Sa Long Cuong.

Periods
Creation of techniques (2879 BC - 111 BC)
Paintings in caves in northern Vietnam and on objects as well as on weapons from that time prove that, besides fighting with "empty" hands the Vietnamese also used weapons like the axe, short sabres, sabres, lances, long sticks and the bow.

Theory creation (111 BC - 906)
This is the period of Chinese invasion. To better withstand the invader the martial art is further developed for military use:
1. Perfection of techniques
2. Forming strategies
3. Working out the theories

Example theories from famous personalities:
- Theory of predominance of close combat techniques ("Dĩ Đỏan Thắng Trừơng")
- Theory of flexibility against force ("Dĩ Nhựơc Thắng Cừơng")
- Principle of taking by surprise ("Kỷ Tập Chíên Pháp")
- The secret of illusion ("Aỏ Ảnh Bi Pháp")
- Method of sidestep movement without resistance ("Phản Gựt Pháp")

These theories were not only used as main principles for military art. They were new, valuable basics, they are still valid today.

Vietnamese martial Art Development (906 - 1009)
During this national period of independence strategy and martial art were further developed. The kings Ngo Quyen and Dinh Bo Linh were remarkable masters in military theory as well as in martial arts.

Vietnamese martial Art Completing and spreading (1010-1527)
Techniques have reached a very high level at this time. Influenced by Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism the martial arts gained a richer philosophical basis. With the independence and stability of the country the martial arts become an art of living to increase the value of life.

Vietnamese martial Art Diversion (1527-1807)
This period is marked by the country's diversion and the conflicts between the various lords. These antagonisms led to a diversion of the Vietnamese martial arts styles into different schools. Every school only represents a certain aspect of Việt Võ Đạo.

Vietnamese martial Art Degeneration (1802-1945)
This period marks the Nguyen Dynasty With the beginning of the 19th century belief in industry led to a loss of confidence. With the modern weapons the traditional martial arts seemed obsolete, concerning the war. Under the French colonialism, 1863 to 1945 the Vietnamese martial arts were prohibited. But in secret, in a very limited scope and with carefully selected students the training continues. Therefore the students only knew their own school. The techniques were different, partially very different from school to school.