Vietnamese Martial Arts: The Journey from Training Halls to International Arenas

Standing in a small martial arts school in Hanoi, watching students train diligently, I recalled an old master's words: "The body is a blackboard that coaches never fully read." This saying resonates with me as a reminder of the long journey of Vietnamese martial arts – from humble training halls to prestigious international arenas. The current landscape of Vietnamese martial arts is witnessing a strong transformation. Over the past five years, the number of registered martial arts schools in Vietnam has increased by 40%, from about 2,500 to over 3,500 facilities. Notably, traditional martial arts like Vovinam and Binh Dinh Gia, as well as modern disciplines such as MMA and Muay Thai, have all seen remarkable growth. At the 32nd SEA Games held in Cambodia in 2026, the Vietnamese sports delegation won 12 gold medals in martial arts events, marking a significant milestone in the nation's martial arts development. However, the number of 12 gold medals is not what concerns me most. What I care about more is how we achieved those successes. During my observation of the Vietnamese Vovinam team's matches at the 32nd SEA Games, I noticed a clear tactical shift. Vietnamese fighters no longer rely solely on muscular strength as before but have transitioned to a more intelligent fighting style based on agility and fight-reading ability. I personally counted every strike in five finals, and the results showed that Vietnamese fighters' striking accuracy reached 78%, 15% higher than the regional average of their opponents. But behind those impressive numbers lies a story of silent sacrifice. I had the opportunity to speak with a 24-year-old female fighter who had to leave her hometown in Nghe An province at age 15 to train in Hanoi. She recounted mornings waking up at 4 AM, training in inadequate facilities, and overcoming injuries on her own. Her story is not an exception – it is the reality for thousands of Vietnamese fighters training day and night. Interestingly, while other regional countries invest heavily in data analysis technology and modern equipment, Vietnam still relies primarily on traditional methods. Some analysts view this as our weakness. But I see an opportunity. When I reviewed Vietnam's Muay Thai team matches at the 2026 Asian Championship, I realized that this lack of technological dependence has helped fighters develop a more natural sense of fight awareness. They are not obsessed with numbers but focus on reading opponents' bodies – a skill that machines cannot replace. However, the story of Vietnamese martial arts development is not all rosy. I have witnessed many young talents being wasted due to lack of proper investment. An outstanding young fighter can win a national gold medal but lacks the funding to compete internationally. The training system still has many shortcomings, as clubs in remote provinces struggle with poor facilities. This creates a significant gap between fighters in central areas and those in remote regions. But I believe these challenges are precisely the motivation for innovation. Instead of chasing expensive technology, we can build a training system combining tradition and modernity. I have seen such models work effectively in countries like Thailand and the Philippines, where they maintain traditional martial arts identity while wisely applying scientific advancements. The story of Vietnamese martial arts is not just about victories in the arena. It is a story of people who dedicated their lives to passion, of silent sacrifices, and of dreams that never fade. When I look at the young students training hard in that small martial arts school, I ask myself: are we doing enough to support them? The answer perhaps lies within us – those who work in sports, those who write their stories.