Philosophical | Blue Belt | Blue Belt I | Blue Belt II | Blue Belt III

Philosophical Knowledge for Self-Defense Viet Vo Dao
(Required for Promotion to Blue Belt)

I. The Ten Pledges:

As a Viet Vo Dao Disciple, I shall:
1. Strive to reach the height of martial arts in order to serve mankind.
2. Faithfully build up my martial arts discipline and develop a new generation of Vovinam youth.
3. Line in harmony with others, and respect my seniors and love my fellow disciples.
4. Absolutely obey Vovinam’s rules and regulations, and uphold the honor of a martial artist.
5. Respect other disciples of martial arts, and only use force for self-defense and defense of justice.
6. Work hard for personal and ethical enrichment.
7. Live an honest, modest and noble life.
8. Develop the firm will to overcome all obstacles in life.
9. Develop sound judgment and stamina, and act with wisdom.
10. Be self-confident, self-controlled, and benevolent; and constantly review myself to strive for improvements.

II. The Meaning of the Ten Pledges:

1. The first pledge is about the ideal and purpose of practicing martial arts.
2. The second pledge is about the disciple’s obligations towards Vovinam and the people.
3. The third pledge is about the unity among Vovinam disciples.
4. The fourth pledge is about the discipline and the honor of the marital artist.
5. The fifth pledge is about the awareness of using martial arts.
6. The sixth pledge is about the direction of learning and the ethical thinking of a disciple.
7. The seventh pledge is about the goals of living.
8. The eighth pledge is about will power through training.
9. The ninth pledge is about how one must think, make decision, and act correctly and practically.
10. The tenth pledge is about the positive traits a Vovinam disciple must have.

III. The Philosophical Questions:

1. What is Vovinam?

Vovinam is the internationalized word of the combined phrase “Martial Arts of Vietnam”.
-Vo stands for “Martial Arts”.
-Vinam stands for “Vietnam”.

2. Why is Vovinam still known as “Viet Vo Dao”?

Vovinam has two divisions:

-“Viet Vo Thuat” means techniques.
-“Viet Vo Dao” means philosophy.
Therefore, Vovinam is the root, the origin, while Viet Vo Dao is the fruit, the result after years of development. Vovinam or Viet Vo Dao, whichever is right. However, the correct way to call it is “Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao”.

3. Why does a Vovinam disciple put their right hand on their heart during the saluting routine?

The right hand is interpreted as the steel hand, and the heart is interpreted as the benevolent heart. The whole routine means that a Vovinam disciple must combine the courage and the benevolence, the martial arts skills and the philosophy. A Vovinam disciple can only use martial arts to warn, or convert individuals, not to punish or take revenge on individuals.

4. What is the basic rules regarding entering the training hall?

A Vovinam disciple must know these three basic rules:
1. Be on time. When late, one must inform the Master or the Instructor. A disciple missing class must have an excuse.
2. During the training, one must practice hard, be friendly and helpful to one’s peers.
3. When approaching a senior (a Master, and Instructor, or a senior disciple), one must salute to show respect to that person. Upon arriving and before leaving the training hall, one must salute to the portrait of the Founder.

Philosophical | Blue Belt | Blue Belt I | Blue Belt II | Blue Belt III

Philosophical Knowledge for Blue Belt
(Required for Promotion to Blue Belt I)

1. What is the ordinary view of a martial artist? Why do Vovinam disciples practice martial arts?

The ordinary view of a martial artist is to be able to defend oneself against any life-threatening situation. A Vovinam disciple practices martial arts to create a healthy body, mental efficiency, intellectual quality to learn, works, protects others, fight for justice, and serve the nation.

2. What is the view of a Vovinam disciple regarding the use of martial arts?

Four guidelines are as followed:
• Never use martial arts for financial gain (such as boxing or kickboxing, etc.)
• Never try to show off one’s ability with others or disciples of other martial arts practitioners.
• Only use martial arts for self-defense
• Only use martial arts to protect justice

3. Under what circumstances is a Vovinam disciple allowed to use force?

A Vovinam disciple only uses force when one’s honor is damaged, life is threatened, and when one should protect justice.

4. Why is a Vovinam disciple not allowed to fight for financial gain (such as boxing)?

A Vovinam disciple is not allowed to fight for financial gain because boxing is just a violent sport. This will make the disciple to have an aggressive behavior. In the contrary, Vovinam is martial arts with its noble philosophy, it focuses in reforming the society, excelling ordinary citizens; rather than training street fighters while boxing is just a sport.

5. What is the difference between a student and a disciple?

A student is the one who just starts practicing martial arts. A disciple is the one who spends a trail period (usually 6 months), and is already passed the challenges of the Vovinam’s directions.

6. In the community of Vovinam, how are the disciples to treat one another?

Each disciple in the community of Vovinam must love, respect, harmonize, and help one another. Unity among the disciples, glorify the honor of Vovinam and help the disciples to become model individuals.

7. How many belt colors does Vovinam have? What is the meaning of each color?

Vovinam has four belt colors: Blue, Yellow, Red, and White
Blue: Represents the color of sea, hope, which means that the disciple begins to enter into the life of a martial artist and to perceive the philosophy of martial arts.
Yellow: Represents the color of earth, generosity which means that the martial arts and its philosophy have permanently become a part of the Vovinam disciple.
Red: Represents the color of fire, courage that means that the martial art and its philosophy develop into a torch, which guides the path for the Vovinam disciple.
White: Represents the color of light, purity which means that the disciple’s martial arts and its philosophy have reached the highest level and the disciple has also become a figure of the martial arts discipline of Vovinam.

8. What is the current rank hierarchy of Vovinam?

A) Introduction to self-defense: have two levels. Self defense level 1 (light blue belt) and Self defense level 2 (dark blue belt).
Training period is 3 months for each level.
Classification: Student.

B) Blue Belt: dark blue belt with yellow stripes. Three levels, three stripes. Training period for each level is at least 6 months of training. Blue belt three stripes must training in one year
Classification: Disciple

C) Yellow Belt: yellow belt with red stripes. Three levels, three stripes.
Training period for each level is at least two years.
Classification: Instructor, Senior Instructor, and Master Deputy, respectively (equivalent to Black Belt second, third, and fourth degree)

D) Pre-Red Belt: red color belt with yellow outlining.
Training period is at least 3 years and a thesis in martial arts must be submitted upon promotion to red belt.
Classification: Master (equivalent to Black Belt fourth degree)

E) Red Belt: red belt with white stripes. Six levels.
Training period is at least 4 years and a thesis in martial arts must be submitted upon promotion exam.
Classification: First Senior Master, Second Senior Master, etc… (equivalent to Black Belt fifth-degree, sixth-degree, …)

G) White belt: white belt with four color lines: blue, black, yellow, and red. Only one level. Training period is infinite. This is the highest rank reserved only for the Grand Master of Vovinam.

9. Please explain the emblem and flag of Vovinam.

A) Colors: The emblem and flag of Vovinam consists of four colors as follows:
• Blue : indicates the yin element and represents the sea and hope
• Red: indicates the yang element and represents the fire and the invincible spirit
• Yellow: represents the honor and triumph
• White: represents chastity and wisdom

B) Shape:
• Emblem: yellow background, the upper half is the square shape., the lower half is the circle shape. It represents the Yin-Yang philosophy of Vovinam
• Flag: yellow background, the height is equal to 3/5 the length, and the circle in the center is equal to 1/3 the height
• Emblem and Flag: the small blue-red circle represents Yin and Yang. The white circle represents the Dao (the Way).

10. What are the name, date, place of birth, passing date, and place of the late Founder of Vovinam Viet Vo Dao?

The late Founder is Nguyen Loc. He was born on April 8, 1912 (Year of the Rat), in the village of Huu Bang, country of Thach That, Province of Son Tay, and passed away on April 4, 1960 (year of the Rat) in Saigon. His remains are now preserved at the Alter Hall, located at 31 Su Van Hanh Street, District No.

10, Saigon, Vietnam.

11. When did the Founder finish the research of Vovinam? Where did the first demonstration of Vovinam take place?

The Founder completed the research of Vovinam in 1938. The first demonstration of Vovinam took place at the Grand Auditorium of Hanoi in the fall of 1939.

12. Where and when did the first Vovinam training class take place?

The first Vovinam training class took place in the spring of 1940 at the Faculty of Education (Ecole Normale) at the Cua Bac Street, Hanoi, Vietnam.

13. Who is the current Grand Master of Vovinam Viet Vo Dao? When and where was he born?

The current Grand Master is Le Sang (second Grand Master of Vovinam). He was born in the fall of 1920 in Hanoi, Vietnam.

14. Where is the development of Vovinam today?

Today, Vovinam develops strongly in Vietnam and in many countries in the world such as France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Australia, Ukraine, U.S.A., Canada, etc…

Philosophical | Blue Belt | Blue Belt I | Blue Belt II | Blue Belt III

Philosophical Knowledge for Blue Belt I
(Required for Promotion to Blue Belt II)

1. Please explain the first pledge of Vovinam.
The first pledge is about the ideal and purpose of practicing martial arts, which are to go beyond the current achievement of the art in order to serve the nation and mankind.

2. Why don’t we need to have the final goal of achieving the ultimate peak of martial arts?
We don’t need to achieve that goal because it is unrealistic and unpractical.

3. Please explain the second pledge of Vovinam.
The second pledge is about the disciple’s obligations towards Vovinam and the people; which are to persistently promote Vovinam and help develop young generations of Vovinam.

4. Please explain the idea of loyalty to Vovinam.
Loyalty here means being loyal to the art, to the ideals and directions, which the art has created not being loyal to any individual. However, if an individual has been given the responsibilities of Grand Mastership, and if the Grand Master is following in accordance to the correct path, then Vovinam disciples have the obligation to assist him/her and to be loyal to him/her as well.

5. In order to promote Vovinam’s teaching, what must a disciple do?
Train hard to become Instructors and Masters to promote the art and philosophy to the next generations. Practice the ideals of Vovinam in everyday life to achieve harmony within the family, love and respect among friends, and assets of the community and nation.

6. Why is the obligation of a Vovinam disciple to help develop future generations of young Vovinam disciples?
It’s beneficial to the community or the nation to develop strong generations of Vovinam disciples because youth has always and will always be the most formidable wall to defend and to build a better community and nation. There exists in each Vovinam disciple a love for nation; hence, every Vovinam disciples will fight for the survival of the community and nation that disciples lives in.

7. Please explain the third pledge of Vovinam.
The third pledge is about the unity among Vovinam disciples.

8. Why is unity the most important goal of a group?
Unity is the most important goal of a group because it’s decisive factor in determining the strength or destruction of the group.

9. What must a Vovinam disciple do in order to build unity?
Vovinam disciples must get rid of personal prejudices, egotistical tendencies, and any ideas of personal vengeance. If there are any disagreements or misunderstandings, they must be resolved immediately.

10. Please explain the fourth pledge of Vovinam.
The fourth pledge is about the discipline and the honor of the martial artist, which is the absolute compliance to the Vovinam’s code and the determined upholding the honor of the martial artist.

11. What is the code of Vovinam’s discipline?
The code of Vovinam’s discipline is self-imposed discipline, meaning that each disciple regulates his/her own behavior by observing others. The superiors and seniors need to lead by examples if they wish their juniors to follow their directives; if the junior fails to follow the examples of the superiors and seniors and refuse to obey their directives, then the disciplinary methods must be applied or the disobeying disciple must be expelled from Vovinam.

12. What is individual heroism?
Individual heroism is a practice, which an individual has talents but lacks the group’s discipline, refusing to self-impose oneself within the guidelines and acts upon impulses without clear sense of direction or purpose.

13. What is the honor of a martial artist?
The honor of a martial artist is the honor of a group of individuals whose ideals and actions are just and righteous, such as defending the oppressed and the weak. This is the type of honor that surpasses the individual ego to enter oneself into the ethical path of martial arts.

14. Please explain the fifth pledge of Vovinam.
The fifth pledge is about the awareness of using martial arts; always respect other styles of martial arts and use martial arts for defense of oneself and justice.

15. If a martial arts student from another style of martial arts behaves inappropriately, what is the role of a Vovinam disciple in that situation?
When having to discipline a certain bad individual of another style of martial arts, Vovinam disciple must know that this is an absolute last resort in order to steer that individual into the proper way, not generalizing and insulting the honor of that entire martial arts style.

16. Please explain the sixth pledge of Vovinam.
The sixth pledge is about the direction of learning and the ethical thinking of a disciple, which are technical and ethical improvement in all life aspects (martial arts techniques and ethics, education, and profession).

17. What must a Vovinam disciple do in order to study successfully?
In order to study successfully, a Vovinam disciple must:
1) Learn and apply broadly anything that can be learned.
2) Ask carefully the things that one could not understand.
3) Think critically and carefully of the things one has learned.
4) Reason clearly (comparing, dissecting, organizing the pro’s and con’s)

18. What must a Vovinam disciple do in order to purify the mind?
In order to purify the mind, a Vovinam disciple must:
1) Live a healthy life: strong body produces healthy minds.
2) Be ethical: always be merciful, generous, and understanding of others plights.
3) Be candor and honest.
4) Be calm and peaceful: avoid situations that could lead to hostility.
5) Be alert and helpful: one must be able to be flexible, to face all situations even unexpectedly.

19. What is ethics? Why must a Vovinam disciple practice good ethics?
Vovinam ethics is the culmination of the ability to resolve, to regulate, and to harmonize all soft and hard, dark and light, static and dynamic elements of all things in the universe. A Vovinam student must train to practice ethics because it’s the basis of all good habits. It’s very crucial in the training of the mind and the body in martial arts.

20. Please explain the seventh pledge of Vovinam.
The seventh pledge is about the goals of living including chastity, modesty, honesty, and nobility.

21. What is the idea of leading a clean and chaste life of a Vovinam disciple?
The disciple leads a clean and chaste life by keeping one’s body and mind pure yet aware of all negative aspects of society by listening, observing, and confronting the facts of life to understand, resolve, and turn them from bad to good.

22. What is your understanding of a modest life of a Vovinam disciple?
A modest life is without wanting unnecessary things. One must live within his means and with the reflections of the community. Avoid giving discomfort to others because of earthly things.

23. What is the idea of honesty and candor of a Vovinam disciple?
A Vovinam disciple lives honestly with other; however, a Vovinam disciple also needs to understand the deceitfulness of others to avoid being taken advantage of and to avoid taking advantage of other.

24. How do you explain nobility?
Nobility exceeds normality as well as pettiness in thoughts and actions and therefore must be trained over time.

25. Please explain the eighth pledge of Vovinam.
The eighth pledge is about will power through training to overcome any obstacles and any form of oppressions.

26. In order to temper your will power, what must a Vovinam disciple do?
In order to temper your will power, a Vovinam disciple must: Research and think critically all available information prior to marking a decision. Once a decision is made, act upon that decision to achieve the desired results using all of your energy, eagerness, and determination.

27. Please explain the ninth pledge of Vovinam.
The ninth pledge is about how one must think, make decisions and act correctly and practically.

28. Why must you need to observe every angle and possibility?
So that you can determine what is right and what is wrong, whether something makes sense or not, so that you can act accordingly and timely to prevent and minimize negative consequences.

29. What is perseverance? What are the biggest challenges in life that you must preserve?
Perseverance means that you must develop an iron will, defeats cannot dishearten you, oppression cannot subdue you , so that you can overcome any obstacle with strength and agility.
A Vovinam disciple must persevere these biggest challenges:
1) Oppression cannot subdue you.
2) Poverty cannot dishonor you.
3) Wealth and power cannot corrupt you.

30. How you become pro-active in every aspect of your life?
You are pro-active in every aspect of life by actively searching for the answer of any question. You must maximize your creativity, flexibility, and intelligence to face with all situations and circumstances. A pro-active person tends to love people, cooperate with others without underestimating the situation or overestimating one’s own abilities.

31. Please explain the tenth pledge of Vovinam.
The tenth pledge is about the positive traits a Vovinam disciple must have. Vovinam disciples must have self-confidence, self-control, being self-critical with oneself while showing humility and tolerance to others.

32. What are self-confidence, self-control, humility, and mercy?
Self-confidence: Believe in your ability, just cause and will power to expand the goodness of oneself so that you can constantly improve.
Self-control: Winning yourself is the objective, control you negative traits and behaviors and minimize you weaknesses by focusing on training martial arts skills and philosophy.
Humility: Be humble to peers, seniors or the elderly, listen to what they say, you may learn something from their experience and wisdom.
Mercy: Render mercy to you opponents; be tolerant to you juniors or younger persons. Remember that they haven’t the experienced what you went through.

33. What should be the appropriate behavior of a Vovinam disciple when looking back at past thoughts and actions?
Vovinam disciples look back at past thoughts and actions with a critical mindset and outlook. You must be able to separate you strengths and weaknesses, things that could have been done differently so that you can improve. Avoid looking back with blind self-pride and impudence when achieving successes and blaming or nagging when facing failures.

Philosophical | Blue Belt | Blue Belt I | Blue Belt II | Blue Belt III

Philosophical Knowledge for Blue Belt II
(Required for Promotion to Blue Belt III)

1. What are Martial Arts?
• Martial arts are techniques, which use strengths, movements, poise, balance, weapons, etc. to fight against men and animals. These are combat tactical approaches using hands, feet, and weapons.

2. What is the Martial Arts’ Philosophy?
• Martial arts philosophy is the direction, clear thinking system of a school in guiding the martial artist a concept of life.

3. What is the difference between a Martial Arts school and a Martial Arts school with Education and Philosophy?
• A martial arts school trains students to use mental and physical tools to fight against enemies (men and animals)
• A martial arts school with education philosophy, in addition to fighting techniques training, the school also gives students a right concept of life to earn respects of others and to succeed in life.

4. What are conditions in order to reach a noble philosophy of a martial arts school?
• A complete patriot spirit
• A solid of martial arts’ education
• A system of excellent, scientific and adaptive martial arts techniques
• An effective, educated training
• A pre-determined period to spread the martial arts

5. Years ago, why did our Vietnamese martial arts school only reach the collection of prescribed fighting techniques but not a noble state of mind?
• Our Vietnamese martial arts school only reaches the collection of prescribed fighting techniques because there was a difference between the martial arts and its philosophy. There were no systematic concepts of national martial arts philosophy.

6. In which period, was our national martial arts philosophy created in building a national martial arts school?
• In 1253, in Tran’s dynasty, the national martial arts school was founded at the same time as the national educational establishment.

7. Please explain about limited and restricted educational movements of martial arts.
• Limited education movement is opened for training in martial arts for those who are close friends, special students, and relatives with the master, but not for everyone.
• Restricted educational movement is the hidden secret techniques of the master when he teaches, he always reserves some deadly techniques to prevent the betrayal of his students. The training is not realistic; it has no clear planning and schedules. Therefore, special and effective techniques are not widely developed.

8. What are differences between Vovinam and Judo?
a) Japanese martial arts existed over two thousand years with activities based on the spirit of samurai. In Vietnam, although there were many periods, which our martial arts widely developed, but when we wanted to create a national martial arts school, it was doomed, therefore, we need to start over. Foreign martial arts were brought into our country to attract people to practice, we had no independent creativity, or self-empowered to build ours.
b) Judo has experiencing developed phases, but Vovinam not only has developed with commitment to crystallize our martial arts values, Viet Vo Dao has responsibility to combine all other current foreign martial arts in the world for references. Vovinam explores both hard and soft types to create national martial arts for Vietnam.

9. How many duties are there in Vovinam martial arts?
There are three duties in Vovinam martial arts philosophy:
• To live with passion and commit to improve ourselves on three points: a strong body, a sharp mind, and a noble spirit to become a good citizen who helps family and society.
• To help others, but not using your strength to suppress or harass others.
• To live for others, Vovinam students must sacrifice your benefits both material and spiritual. If necessary, we could risk our lives for good causes, as our existence if linking to others, all our necessities or our success are assisted by them.

10. Please explain goals of Vovinam.
Vovinam has three goals:
• To preserve, develop and spread our martial arts, to uphold the honor and spirit of our people. To explore the soft and hard types of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao in improving strokes and movements of our traditional martial arts combining with other fighting techniques of other foreign martial arts in the world.
• To recruit, research, and invent new techniques for better Vietnamese martial arts.
• To train students in three areas: strength, techniques, and spirit of martial arts.

11. How is the training in terms of healthy benefits?
Vovinam instructors help students to exercise in building a strong, healthy body to sustain hardship and to fight against sickness.

12. How is the training in terms of self-defense techniques?
Vovinam instructors help students to master effective, critical self-defense techniques to serve mankind and defense of justice.

13. What are the basics of Vovinam in terms of martial arts philosophy?
Vovinam gives students a concept of noble life, a strong determination, an ethical enrichment, a self-discipline spirit, and a harmonic relationship with other fellow students, a dedicated assistance, and a modest attitude to serve family, people and mankind.

14. To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, what should Vovinam students do?
Vovinam students must act as follows:
• All Vovinam activities must be base on humanity, good conduct, and goodwill.
• All Vovinam students should respect and love other fellows as in a family. This kind of relationship will help building discipline and unity.
• Vovinam activities aim to contribute to the education of youth.
• Vovinam activities are non-political and religious natures.
• Vovinam students should respect other martial arts schools in building our true, useful martial arts philosophy.

15. Please explain the principle of soft and hard in martial arts.
Many martial arts group ten to practice hard style with great discipline, great accuracy movement, strength, and body control.
Soft types of martial arts groups have flexible discipline; make the most efficient use of mental and physical powers.
Vietnamese martial arts did not specialize in hard or soft types, but their fighting techniques are very agile and powerful according to the build of practitioners. Our Vietnamese bamboo tree is a symbol of our qualities and characteristics such as soft, hard, sharp, and durable.
As a result of this observation, and after carrying out a lot of research of many other martial arts in the world as well as our traditional martial arts, the late founder Nguyen Loc have built a foundation for Vovinam- Viet Vo Dao. In reality, the practice of soft-hard principle in martial arts is varied according to situations.

16. What is the personality?
Personality is the quality of a person such as working habits, study habits, dress code, speech, and posture.

17. Why do Vovinam students must pay attention at their personalities in everywhere and under any circumstances?
Vovinam students must pay attention at their personalities in everywhere and under any circumstances because people justify them and their organization through their actions.

18. Please tell some bad habits that Vovinam students should avoid?
a) Avoid telling everyone that you are a martial artist in public places
b) Avoid being a gossip in talking about other martial arts schools because it can cause trouble misunderstanding.
c) Avoid all provocative actions because people may think that our martial arts training are for making trouble.
d) Avoid to unreasonably confronting with people for showing off.
e) Avoid exercising aggressive attitude towards patriotism when talking to friends.

Philosophical | Blue Belt | Blue Belt I | Blue Belt II | Blue Belt III

Philosophical Knowledge for Blue Belt III
(Required for Promotion to Black Belt/Yellow Belt)

1. What is the process of martial arts development in the world?
The development of martial arts worldwide greatly effects by geography, cultural heritage, social changes, historical conflicts, and pace of social advancement.
2. How many periods of martial arts development are there, please explain?
There are 4 stages of martial arts development:
1/ Fighting against nature (animals): Because of survival needs, man and animals engaged in fighting to gain the advantage.
2/ Dual fighting: This form of fighting is also known as “might is right” – deciding/resolving conflicts between two individuals.
3/ Fighting in mass: The art of fighting against many others being only one, or one person dominates over many others.
4/ Military integration: Applying martial arts teachings into the military to build and to protect one’s nation.
3. From where did ancient societies create different art forms such as: monkey forms, tiger forms, horse forms, eagle forms, snake forms, ox forms?
The accumulated experiences from combating wild animals to protect and to survive were codified by our ancient ancestors to create such forms of fighting.
4. What are the characteristics of these forms?
The characteristics of:
Monkey forms: quickness, bouncy, swaying.
Tiger forms: clawing, choking, fast and furious.
Horse forms: faking retreat with surprise counter-attacks (elbows, back kicks, halberds, returning-horse spear, …)
Eagle forms: surprise claw-attacks from above
Snake forms: closing to the ground, swaying the body to avoid attacks, direct and snappy attacks
Ox forms: tackling, choking and locking, using the whole body to attack the opponent (throwing and joint-locking techniques).
5. From where did the concept of using martial arts to combat animals changing to combating among other human beings?
Constant conflicts within each civilization/society due to: marriage, division of property, electing chieftains, etc. gave way to change martial arts focus from combating animals to combating among human beings.
6. When martial arts were incorporated into military strategy, how did dual continue to effect an outcome of a battle?
Even when martial arts were incorporated in to military strategy, the influence of dual effected the outcomes of major battles with two leading generals often fought each other. The winner will be awarded with the winning of the battle.
7. What were the reasons behind the origin of the art and science of massive combat? Increasing lust for power and wealth as well as polarized ideas about protecting one’s cultural heritage, the art and science of massive combat materialized.
8. In what epoch did martial arts training integrate into military strategy? Who was the first known military strategist of Vietnam?
In Vietnam, the Iron Epoch was denoted as the era in which martial arts studies were introduced into military strategy. The first known military strategist of Vietnam was the famous General Ly Thuong Kiet (prior to him, the Vietnamese people had successfully fought off many foreign domination attempts. However, these victories were due to high degree of nationalism just not quite being able to apply the art of maneuvering to conquer the opponent as applied by Gen. Ly Thuong Kiet)
9. What are the characteristics of traditional Vietnamese martial arts?
Based on geographic features of Vietnam and a high degree of national identity, Vietnamese martial arts have three following basic characteristics:
1. Fitting with the body frame of the small but brave Vietnamese (with effective use of geographic advantages).
2. Hard and Soft Co-development.
3. Integration and adaptation of multiple arts and styles.
10. What elements allowed Vietnamese martial arts to combine and adapt multi-disciplinary aspects of martial arts worldwide? What is the direction of this adaptation?
Due to its unique geography, Vietnam has been exposed and received many aspects of martial arts worldwide. This enables its people to combine and adapt them to fit their style and physical attributes to form styles that are uniquely Vietnamese.
11. What are the benefits of martial arts?
Practicing martial arts helps develop a strong and fit body, sharpen one’s intellect, strengthen one’s moral character. Furthermore, martial-arts training is helping to protect human lives and helps enriching history.
12. In today society, are there any benefits to martial arts training?
With so much scientific and technological advances in today society, many people think that there is no use for martial arts training, while forgetting that with an advanced weapon system without steady hands and strong stable mind to control it, would that weapon be effective? And even though no matter how advance technology can be, it cannot transform a coward into a hero. Hence, in whatever era, martial arts training is always very useful.
13. In ancient Vietnam and China, martial arts training were popular in what social classes?
In ancient China and Vietnam, martial arts training were very popular among religious sectors and the warrior class (Taoist priests and Buddhist monasteries welcome many disciples).
14. Japanese martial arts Way – BUSIDO originated how?
The Japanese warrior code – Bushido originated from the Samurai class – warriors chosen from the upper class and expertly trained to protect the Shoguns – Regional lords and the Japanese Emperor; they were also used to suppress uprisings and helped the Emperor to rule Japan effectively (Samurai is a warrior class - Bushido is the way or the code of conducts for those who considered themselves a samurai)
15. What are the similarities and differences of martial arts Way among Japan, Vietnam and China?
When comparing the Japanese Bushido with China and Vietnam, we observe:
A/ Similarities: Being loyal to the nation and honor; high degree of self-respect, reliable, discipline, is not afraid of death.
B/ Differences: The Japanese Bushido actively engage in political and power struggles and tend to become self-righteous and worship nationalism through the symbol of one individual (the emperor), the warrior will forsake his life for the benefit of the group.
The Chinese and Vietnamese martial arts “Way” is disengaging in nature. Lives and trains in seclusion; practices individual heroism, capable of making sacrifice for higher cause however it tends to generate unrealistic ideals, critical thoughts and actions; values life.
16. What is our perception of martial arts Way in today society?
Today, our perception about martial arts is much broader and can be summarized with the following major points:
 Those who follow contemporary warrior code are first and foremost a person who live with realistic expectations and realistic ideals; they live closely among others, sharing the pains and joys of others within their society; they are people with grand ideas who possess a can-do attitude, who can plan and execute the smallest of details to achieve a long lasting career and social objectives.
 With regards to religious faiths, today’s warriors think that religions benefit people tremendously in times of needs. Hence, we accept and respect the positive values of religions, however, we stay clear all forms of superstition. We accept and adapt all philosophies, all beliefs, all religious practices in order to balance our spiritual lives and our physical lives.
17. What are the true essence of physical and spiritual lives?
The true essence of physical and spiritual lives lies in the nurturing (spirituality) and constant training (physiology) in order to enhance our total experience of living.
18. On what two foundations does our Vovinam discipline develop a model martial artist?
Vovinam discipline develop a model martial artist based on two foundations:
A/ Spiritually rich but realistic in actions
B/ Materially abundant but humble and frugal
19. What are the 12 attributes of thoughts and behaviors that a Vovinam disciple need to constantly train, maintain and develop? Please define them?
With oneself, a disciple must:
1. Train the body: Train the breathing techniques, martial arts techniques and general fitness.
2. Train the mind: Open the mind to new ideas and new information through education, observation, and participation in all forms of discussion and exchange of ideas.
3. Train to center through Khi: Train to focus through breathing in order to have self-control, to be alert yet calm and relaxed in all situations.
To others in relationship, a disciple must:
4. Be sincere – with honesty, warmth and kindness.
5. Be committed – to be fair and generous in thoughts and actions.
6. Be loyal – to friendships, to others in the spirit of a warrior code.
To one’s self in relationship with others, a disciple must:
7. Be modest – always be modest to win others’ hearts
8. Be generous – always accept and forgive others (even your enemies); always evaluate to see if you are generous enough to others.
9. Be harmonious – always find ways to coexist and to unite with others to find strengths and comforts
In order to live in accordance with the honor of the Vietnamese Warrior code, a disciple always try to accomplish three goals:
10. Develop one’s self – create for one’s self a stable and positive place in society in two aspects:
- Spirituality: Always try to learn, evaluate, and be sincere to correct mistakes as well as enhancing positive traits.
- Materials: Be financially self-sufficient in order to maintain impartiality and independence.
11. Develop ideals – harbor and act to fulfill honorable destiny.
12. Develop Legacy – work hard to create for yourself a worthy career and a legacy for future generations.
20. How can we achieve the following characters: humility in success and perseverance in defeat?
When we truly commit and dedicate ourselves to an ideal and a grand destiny, we will achieve humility in successes and perseverance in failures.
21. What are the differences between a title and a career? If you can choose, would you choose to have a career or a title?
Title: a name and a place in society, which can be changed from time to time, depending on the environment (everyone has a title).
Career: is the goal and direction in life; it’s long term and can benefits many others not just one’s self.
Therefore, titles are stepping stones for us to achieve a successful and fulfilling career. This is why when choosing, we must choose to develop a career and put it above the importance of titles.

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