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

There was an evening in late 2026 when I sat in a small martial arts hall in Binh Duong, watching young students train under yellow lights. An old master sat beside me, watching his disciples sweat on the floor, and slowly said: 'A person can lose a match, but must never lose to themselves.' That phrase stayed with me through my years as an esports commentator, when I witnessed Vietnamese teams reaching for the world stage and facing their most painful defeats. But today, I want to tell a different story — the story of Vietnamese martial arts, of the people quietly bringing the essence of Vietnamese martial learning to the world, and of the scars they carry as proof of an unending journey. Vietnamese martial arts are not just Vovinam, not just Binh Dinh Gia, not just schools bearing the names of regions. It is a cultural river that has flowed for thousands of years, from the era of the Hung Kings with legends of Thanh Giong, to the feudal dynasties with famous generals like Ly Thuong Kiet and Tran Hung Dao. Within this river are quiet people who day and night preserve and develop the combat techniques left by their ancestors. They do not appear on major newspapers, are not honored on international stages, but they are the keepers of the flame for a priceless cultural heritage. Over the past three decades, Vietnamese martial arts have made significant strides on the international stage. In 2026, Vovinam was officially introduced to the world through international martial arts congresses. By 2026, the World Vovinam Federation had over 50 member countries, with millions of practitioners globally. This number reflects not only the growth of a martial art, but also the appeal of Vietnamese martial philosophy — a philosophy emphasizing harmony between body and mind, between technique and spirit. I have witnessed Vietnamese martial masters performing at martial arts congresses in Europe, and I saw in the eyes of foreign audiences a genuine admiration — not only for technique, but for the way they bow, the way they breathe, the way they place a hand on their chest at the end of a form. But that journey is not all roses. Vietnamese martial arts face significant challenges. First, the lack of financial resources prevents many training halls from investing in modern facilities or sending athletes to international competitions regularly. Second, competition from international martial arts like Taekwondo, Karate, and Judo — disciplines with established training systems and strong governmental support. Third, the absence of an effective media strategy keeps Vietnamese martial arts from reaching young audiences — those captivated by MMA, boxing, or esports. I remember talking to a young master in Ho Chi Minh City, who said: 'We do not lack talent, we do not lack passion. We lack presence.' That statement made me think deeply about how we perceive and promote traditional martial arts. However, there is a truth few recognize: Vietnamese martial arts are undergoing a quiet but meaningful transformation. In 2026, the Vietnamese Vovinam team won 12 gold medals at the World Vovinam Championship in France — a record compared to 8 gold medals in 2026. This is not coincidental. Behind those medals is a systematic training process, combining traditional techniques with modern coaching methods. Athletes are not only trained in physical conditioning and technique, but also equipped with knowledge of nutrition, sports psychology, and competition strategy. This is a revolutionary change from traditional training methods — where people believed that diligent practice alone was sufficient. Another bright spot is the rise of traditional martial arts like Binh Dinh Gia, Vo Binh Dinh, and other schools. While Vovinam has a clear internationalization system, traditional martial arts are still finding their own path. In 2026, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recognized Binh Dinh traditional martial arts as a national intangible cultural heritage. This is an important step, not only in preservation but also in promoting Vietnamese martial arts to the world. I have visited Binh Dinh and witnessed martial arts festivals held there — thousands of practitioners gathering from everywhere, performing ancient forms and combat techniques that have existed for hundreds of years. That atmosphere reminded me of what I felt watching GAM Esports at MSI 2026 — a feeling of pride mixed with emotion, seeing Vietnamese people shine on the international stage. But I also want to offer a contrarian view. Romanticizing traditional martial arts can become a trap. When we focus too much on preserving what exists, we may miss opportunities to innovate and develop. Vietnamese martial arts should not be merely a living museum of the past, but a living system capable of adapting to the changes of the era. While Japan has succeeded in modernizing Judo and Karate, making them Olympic sports, Vietnam is still struggling to find an appropriate development model. The question is: Are we willing to change what is considered immutable? Are we willing to bring traditional martial arts into schools, into professional sports training programs, or do we only want to keep them as a heritage to admire? Another issue I want to address is the connection between martial arts and other sports. In recent years, I have witnessed interesting intersections between traditional martial arts and modern sports. Martial masters are applying principles from martial learning to physical training for football players, basketball players, even esports athletes. I believe Vietnamese martial arts hold a treasure trove of knowledge about breath control, mental focus, and facing pressure — things any athlete needs. But to tap into that treasure, we need a new approach, a more open-minded view of martial arts' value in the modern world. Looking back at my journey, from sleepless nights watching GAM Esports compete, to sitting in small training halls listening to masters tell stories, I realize that the martial spirit exists not only in martial arts, but in the way we live and work. It is the spirit of people who dare to face failure, who rise after falls, who believe that every scar is a valuable lesson. Vietnamese martial arts, in whatever form — whether Vovinam, Binh Dinh Gia, or any other school — carry a message: strength comes not from muscles, but from will and spirit. As I write these lines, I remember an evening in 2026 when the pandemic froze everything. I sat in my small rented room, watching videos of Vietnamese masters performing on international stages. There was a moment when an elderly master completed his form, stood still for a few seconds, then bowed to the audience. His eyes were not tired, but filled with an extraordinary calm. I suddenly understood that, whether martial arts or esports, whether a match or a form, the most important thing is not victory, but how we live with what we have chosen. And that is the greatest lesson Vietnamese martial arts can teach us — not only in sports, but in life.