Vietnamese martial arts
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- This article concentrates on the martial arts aspect of Vietnam. For details on the Vietnamese history see History of Vietnam.
Vietnamese martial arts are influenced by efforts to defend the country from foreign occupations (China, France, and Japan) and also by the people whom Vietnam conquered (Champa). The most influential in the country's martial arts is China with its thousand-year occupation of Vietnam. But through thousands of years of internal, civil strifes: dynastic changes (dynasties), foreign conquests, warlordism and guerrilla tactics, the Vietnamese martial artist use what they learned from their neighbors and evolved a unique form of martial arts.
The martial arts were used by Vietnamese kings to train their troops and to defend the country against China's invasions against Vietnam. In addition to the army, family clans and Buddhist temples cultivated a variety of styles to defend themselves in national disputes.
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[edit] Short History
[1][2] Due to the wide range of influences there is no definable point in time where Vietnamese martial arts started to live. Vietnam, as a distinct entity has officially existed since apx. 2879 BCE, though first human settlement can even be traced back much earlier.
Having long shared history with China, Vietnamese culture is closely linked to and part of Chinese culture and philosophy. Officials abilities not only included the use of the brush but also the sword. There was an academy of martial arts in the capitol, Thang Long, today's Hanoi, since the 11th century (Ly Dynasty (1009-1225), Tran Dynasty (1225-1400). When talking about Vietnamese martial art people started to use "Vo Thuat" (martial art).
While Vietnam was separated in several states many martial arts were created. During the Tay Son Rebellion (1771-1788) quite a few of them arose. Binh Dinh Province, where the rebels were based, is still a place of many martial arts.
During the time Vietnam had to suffer the French colonialisation, traditional martial arts were forbidden - but kept developing secretly.
[edit] Styles
More than 70 years later, most of the Vietnamese martial art schools worldwide emerging from Vo Co Truyen's development practice Vo Thuat:
- Van Vo Dao (Vo Su Kinh Chu)
- Vo Vietnam (Nguyen Duc Moc)
- Vo Thuat (Nguyen Van Trung)
- Vo Binh Dinh / Tay Son Binh Dinh (Thanh Long)
- Han Bai (Tran Minh Long, Nguyen Trung Hoa)
- Vovinam Viet Vo Dao (Nguyen Loc)
- Nhat Nam (Ngo Xuan Bing)
- Tay Son Nhan (Vo Su To Dinh Thanh)
In Vietnam itself many people also practice
- Vo Co Truyen
- Thieu Lam Viet Nam
- Kim Ke-Tay Son Nhan
- Phakwondo Hóa Quyền Đạo
- Hong Gia Viet Nam
- Nam Huynh Dao
- Lam Son
Also there are various Sino-Vietnamese styles, styles that are only partially Vietnamese which were popular among Chinese who lived in Vietnam, for example
- Thieu Lam (Shaolinquan)
- Noi Quyen (Neiquan)
- Bach My Phai (Baimeipai, Baimeiquan)
Other styles include
[edit] Periods
[edit] Creation of techniques (2879 BC - 111 BC)
Paintings in caves in northern Vietnam and on objects as well as on weapons from that time prove that, besides fighting with "empty" hands the Vietnamese also used weapons like the axe, short sabres, sabres, lances, long sticks and the bow.
[edit] Theory creation (111 BC - 906)
This is the period of Chinese invasion. To better withstand the invader the martial art is further developed for military use:
1. Perfection of techniques
2. Forming strategies
3. Working out the theories
Example theories from famous personalities:
- Theory of predominance of close combat techniques ("Dĩ Đoản Thắng Trường")
- Theory of flexibility against force ("Dĩ Nhu Chế Cương")
- Principle of taking by surprise ("Kỷ Tập Chiến Pháp")
- The secret of illusion ("Ảo Ảnh Bí Pháp")
- Method of sidestep movement without resistance ("Phản Gựt Pháp")
These theories were not only used as main principles for military art. They were new, valuable basics, they are still valid today.
[edit] Development (906 - 1009)
During this national period of independence strategy and martial art were further developed. The kings Ngo Quyen and Dinh Bo Linh were remarkable masters in military theory as well as in martial arts.
[edit] Completing and spreading (1010-1527)
Techniques have reached a very high level at this time. Influenced by Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism the martial arts gained a richer philosophical basis. With the independence and stability of the country the martial arts become an art of living to increase the value of life.
[edit] Diversion (1527-1807)
This period is marked by the country's diversion and the conflicts between the various lords. These antagonisms led to a diversion of the Vietnamese martial arts styles into different schools. Every school only represents a certain aspect of Việt Võ Đạo.
Styles like Vo Binh Dinh, Hung Ke Quyen, Vivodo, Nhan Da and Kieu Dung originated from this period. [3]
[edit] Degeneration (1802-1945)
This period marks the Nguyen Dynasty With the beginning of the 19th century belief in industry led to a loss of confidence. With the modern weapons the traditional martial arts seemed obsolete, concerning the war. Under the French colonialism, 1863 to 1945 the Vietnamese martial arts were prohibited. But in secret, in a very limited scope and with carefully selected students the training continues. Therefore the students only knew their own school. The techniques were different, partially very different from school to school.
[edit] External links
- Việt-Võ-Đạo Institute
- Tay Son- Binh Dinh Fighting Arts & Others in Vietnam
- Nhat Nam martial art international center
