Tiếng ViệtIn commemoration of its 85th anniversary, Vovinam Viet Vo Dao, a Vietnamese martial art, was officially recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of the nation in 2023. Dr. Mai Huu Tin, the President of the World Vovinam Federation and the Vietnam Vovinam Federation, shared his thoughts on the milestones of Vovinam throughout the years and the future development direction.
Dr. Mai Huu Tin, President of the World Vovinam Federation. – Photo: LONG GIANG
Interviewer: Vovinam has been evaluated to have made significant progress in various localities, especially in its integration into schools. How do you assess this development, sir?
Dr. Mai Huu Tin: Inclusion of Vovinam in the national education system has always been our goal. The wider the foundation of Vovinam spreads, the more opportunities it has for extensive and far-reaching development. Furthermore, we believe that the noble values of Vietnamese culture, embodied in martial arts, physical strength, and martial ethics of Vovinam, will contribute to shaping the comprehensive citizens of the younger generation in Vietnam.
Interviewer: After being excluded from the competition program for three consecutive terms from SEA Games 28 to SEA Games 30 (2015 to 2019), Vovinam made a comeback at SEA Games 31 and 32. How is Vovinam striving to secure a stable presence in regional and continental sports events, sir?
Dr. Mai Huu Tin: Our immediate focus is on SEA Games 33 in Thailand in 2025. Things are progressing favorably, partly because Thailand has a strong Vovinam team capable of competing for medals. As for Vovinam’s participation in the Asian Games, it depends on various factors beyond our control. We may have to wait until Vietnam hosts the event.
As of now, both domestically and internationally, we have over 2 million Vovinam practitioners worldwide. This achievement is undoubtedly the result of the silent but invaluable efforts of many generations of Vovinam masters and trainers, most of whom work voluntarily. We are fortunate to inherit this outcome and feel a greater responsibility to excel further.
Interviewer: While Vovinam is experiencing strong growth, not every region within the country has a thriving movement. The same applies to promoting Vovinam abroad. What are the current difficulties in expanding the reach and dissemination of Vovinam, sir?
Dr. Mai Huu Tin: The challenges primarily lie in human resources and funding. Vovinam masters and trainers must have primary occupations to sustain their livelihood or rely on support from their families. They can only dedicate their limited spare time to the development of the martial art. Moreover, they have to compete with other prominent martial arts of the world that have already gained recognition in the Olympic Games. The sacrifices made by them for their martial art and the nation are significant and deserve proper recognition.
The organization of tournaments, events, and the operational costs of the supporting offices, both at the global and national federations, require millions of USD annually. Currently, this financial burden continues to be shouldered by Vovinam practitioners.
Vovinam is honored to receive the Certificate of Vovinam Viet Vo Dao as an intangible cultural heritage of the nation. – Photo: LONG GIANG
Interviewer: After more than 85 years, Vovinam has come a long journey. How does Vovinam set specific goals for further promotion and expansion? What preparations are being made in terms of financial resources, manpower, and other aspects to achieve those goals, sir?
Dr. Mai Huu Tin: We are still using personal funds to sustain the operations and strive to expand the Vovinam training movement. Once the foundation is sufficiently established, we will seek financial solutions to mobilize societal resources to serve both society and the development of the martial art. Our overall goal remains to include Vovinam in the Asian Games and subsequently the Olympic Games, ensuring the presence of Vovinam in all countries.
In Vietnam, we are making efforts to evoke the patriotism of the Vietnamese people with the slogan “Practice Vovinam, love Vietnam.” This is to invite physical education teachers to become Vovinam trainers, creating a foundation for the development of Vovinam in schools. We continuously organize training courses for this group of educators as well as for armed forces personnel. Internationally, we maintain a team of proficient Vovinam masters who are skilled both in the art and foreign languages to alternately teach and train local practitioners in each country. It is gratifying to see an increasing number of foreign Vovinam masters achieving outstanding capabilities and standards on par with their Vietnamese counterparts.
Interviewer: It is known that Vovinam Vietnam Federation aims to establish a global Vovinam academy, a large and prestigious institution that can accommodate students from all over the world. How is Vovinam preparing for this goal, sir?
Dr. Mai Huu Tin: This endeavor has delayed due to the necessary procedures involved. However, I believe that by the year 2030, we will be able to achieve this goal. The reputation and scale of Vovinam, currently ranked among the top 5 largest martial arts disciplines in the world, make the establishment of a global Vovinam academy a necessary step for further development.
Interviewer: Thank you for you time!
MY DUNG – Reporter
(Source: Ba Ria – Vung Tau Newspaper)