Viet Vo Dao

The art of Vovinam Viet Vo Dao was developed by Grand Master Nguyen Loc in Hanoi, Viet Nam. Grand Master Nguyen Loc was born on the 24th of May, 1912 in Huu Bang Village, Thach That district, Son Tay Province (presently known as Ha Tay). He was the oldest son of Mr. Nguyen Dinh Xuyen and Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hoa.

From a very young age he had committed, and devoted most of his time in practicing martial arts, and traditional wrestling. He grew up in the time when his country, Vietnam was colonized by the French. His goal was to use martial arts to develop and armed a new generation of Vietnamese youth with, a strong sense of nationalism, an indomitable spirit, a physically healthy body and the ability to self-defense. Besides enriching himself academically, he also researched deeper into other martial arts with the intention of combining specific aspects from the other martial arts into one style of martial art that will be suitable for the physical frame of the Vietnamese people (thin but fast, flexible and endurable). He later named the combined martial art Vovinam.

After finished his research in the fall of 1938, he trained, and practiced Vovinam with a number of his close friends and family members before introducing it to the general public. About one year later, he and his first generation of disciples made their debut to the general public at the Hanoi concert hall. Their debut was a great success, and the first class was open at the Hanoi Institute of Education in the spring of 1940. From that point forward, many classes were open in the neighboring provinces such as Nam Dinh, Son Tay, Thanh Hoa. The teaching program was divided into three levels; beginner, intermediate, and advance. The program emphasized on three main areas, (techniques, strength, and philosophy). However, due to the circumstances, not many disciples were able to train longer than three years; they were mostly busy with school, and work.

Since the 50s, Vovinam was introduced and expanded in Saigon, and other provinces around it, such as Gia Dinh, Bien Hoa, Da Lat. The introduction of Vovinam to southern provinces of Vietnam was still a struggle when Grand Master Nguyen Loc passed away on the 29th of April, 1960 ( which falls on the 4th of April, in the year of the Rt) in Saigon. He was 49 years old. The title of chief master was awarded to his long time disciple, Grand Master Le Sang. Presently, the remains (ashes) of Grand Master Founder Nguyen Loc are preserved at 31 Su Van Hanh Street, district 10, HCM city. However, because of the government imposed restrictions on all martial arts from 1961 to 1963, Vovinam was only allow to be taught at a few private high schools, such as: Chan Phuoc Liem, St. Thomas…until 1964 that Vovinam was again allow to freely taught to the public.