Meet Nguyễn Lộc, the Founder of Vovinam
Vietnam is home to many prestigious martial arts disciplines, each with their unique style, philosophy, and technique. Among the many martial arts created in Vietnam, Vovinam stands out as one of the most popular and widely-practiced. It is a modern and eclectic martial art, that combines traditional Vietnamese martial arts principles with modern sports techniques. In this article, we will explore the history, principles, and legacy of Vovinam, with a focus on its founder, Nguyễn Lộc.
Biography of Grandmaster Nguyễn Lộc
Grandmaster Lộc was born in Hữu Bằng village, Thạch Thất district, then part of Sơn Tây province, now a district of Hanoi 8 April 1912.
He is the eldest son of Mr. Nguyen Dinh Xuyen and Nguyen Thi Hoa, with siblings named Nguyen Thi Thai, Nguyen Dan (1928-2016), Nguyen Hai, and Nguyen Thi Bich Ha.
Throughout his early years, Nguyễn Lộc faced health challenges, prompting his family to impart martial arts knowledge upon him. Initially intended for self-protection and improved well-being, Nguyễn Lộc's intelligence and exposure to the region's renowned wrestling traditions quickly enabled him to absorb the quintessence of Vietnamese martial arts, igniting an enduring passion within him.
The Journey of Nguyễn Lộc in Martial Arts
In pursuit of business opportunities and trade, Nguyễn Lộc's family relocated to Harmand Rousseau Street, situated behind Hom Market in Hanoi.
Having dedicated a substantial amount of time to practicing various martial arts, Nguyễn Lộc delved into extensive research and analysis of the technical aspects of each discipline. This included a deep focus on Vietnamese martial arts and traditional wrestling, leading him to create a unique system that would become known as Vo Viet, or Viet martial arts. In 1938, Nguyễn Lộc clandestinely introduced Vovinam, as it came to be called, to train a select group of friends who were of the same age.
By 1938, Vovinam began to gain popularity in Hanoi, with personal instruction provided by Nguyễn Lộc. Within just a year, the martial art had garnered recognition in the country. The Hanoi Gymnastics Association, headed by Dr. Dang-Vu Hy, extended an official invitation to Master Nguyễn Lộc to collaborate and establish public martial arts classes.
In 1939, Nguyễn Lộc proudly presented his first class of martial arts students to the public at the Hanoi Opera House. The performance was a resounding success, catching the attention of Dr. Dang Vu Hy, who then invited Nguyễn Lộc to jointly organize martial arts classes for the youth of Hanoi. Accepting the invitation, Nguyễn Lộc inaugurated the inaugural public martial arts class in the spring of 1940 at the Hanoi National University of Education (École Normal). Responding to the students' request, Vietnamese Martial Arts was abbreviated as Vovinam in preparation for its expansion beyond the borders of Vietnam.
Subsequently, numerous martial arts classes were established. The progress and growth of Vovinam raised concerns among the French authorities, who eventually prohibited Nguyễn Lộc from teaching the art form.
During the period when the French authorities banned Nguyễn Lộc, Mr. Dang Vu Kinh, utilizing his inviolable rights as a congressman, safeguarded and protected the students of Viet Vo Dao, ensuring that secret martial arts classes continued to operate. These clandestine classes persisted until the French colonial regime was replaced by Japanese rule in Vietnam.
Nguyễn Lộc, at one point, agreed to cooperate with the government of Tran Trong Kim but did not hinder his disciples from engaging in patriotic political activities as citizens. Vovinam students collaborated with patriotic organizations to organize national events such as the anniversary of Hung King's death, the Hai Ba Trung anniversary, and participated in social relief efforts during times of famine. They were also involved in the removal of bronze statues from gardens like Paul Bert and Canh Nong in Hanoi. Several self-defense martial arts classes were established at educational institutions such as Hanoi National University of Education, Buoi School, Vietnam Academy, Au Tri Vien training ground, Septo beach, and Nha Den beach.
When the resistance war erupted in 1946, Nguyễn Lộc and some of his students established numerous martial arts training classes in the Thach That area, including at the Tran Quoc Tuan Military School (now the 1st Army Officer School of the People's Army of Vietnam) in Co Dong ward, Son Tay town, Ha Tay province. They also extended their activities to nearby localities like Dan Phuong and Vinh Tuong. Many Viet Vo Dao students valiantly fought and made glorious sacrifices under the banner of national independence.
In August 1948, Nguyễn Lộc returned to Hanoi to resume teaching martial arts classes.
In 1951, he founded the Vietnam Martial Arts Association and expanded the dissemination of martial arts through mass classes held at Hang Than School in Hanoi.
In July 1954, Nguyễn Lộc, accompanied by enthusiastic disciples, traveled to South Vietnam and established a dojo in Saigon. He assigned his disciples to oversee martial arts training for the National Gendarmerie and the Thu Duc National Gendarmerie Training Center of the Republic of Vietnam Army. Additionally, martial arts classes were conducted for the Engineers of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam.
On April 29, 1960, Master Nguyễn Lộc passed away in Saigon at the age of 49. Before his death, he appointed Mr. Le Sang as his successor as the head of Vovinam.
Family
In 1945, Nguyễn Lộc married Nguyễn Thị Minh (1924-2015), the daughter of Nguyễn Ngọc Hoan and Bùi Thị Ngo. Over the course of their 15-year marriage, they were blessed with nine children—three sons and six daughters. Their sons are Nguyễn Đạo, Nguyễn Chinh (Vovinam martial artist), and Nguyễn Quang (pastor), while their daughters are Nguyễn Thanh Phương, Nguyễn Thanh Mai, Nguyễn Thanh Nga, Nguyễn Thanh Phú, Nguyễn Thanh Bình, and Nguyễn Thanh My.
Following the events of April 30, 1975, known as Fall of Saigon, Nguyễn Lộc's entire family immigrated to the United States and settled in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania.
The Philosophy Behind Vovinam
The philosophy of Vovinam is based on three core principles. The first principle is to respect, and not misuse one's strength. The second principle is to use one's abilities to serve others. The third principle is to practice kindness, even towards one's opponents. Based on these principles, Vovinam emphasizes the importance of practicing martial arts for the development of character, rather than just for self-defense.
One of the unique aspects of Vovinam is its emphasis on developing both physical and mental capabilities. In addition to learning self-defense techniques, practitioners of Vovinam also engage in physical conditioning exercises that help to build strength, flexibility, and endurance. The mental aspect of Vovinam is equally important, with practitioners learning to focus their minds and develop a strong sense of discipline.
Vovinam has also been instrumental in promoting Vietnamese culture around the world. Through the practice of Vovinam, many people have gained a deeper appreciation for Vietnamese history and traditions. Vovinam has also helped to foster a sense of community among practitioners, who come from all walks of life and from many different countries.
In conclusion, Vovinam is a martial art with a rich history and a unique philosophy. Its founder, Nguyễn Lộc, was a visionary who sought to create a martial art that not only promoted self-defense but also physical fitness, discipline, and the development of character. Today, Vovinam continues to be practiced around the world, helping to promote Vietnamese culture and the values of respect, service, and kindness.
The Principles and Techniques of Vovinam
The principles and techniques of Vovinam are deeply rooted in traditional Vietnamese martial arts, but have also evolved to incorporate modern sports techniques. The result is a dynamic and versatile martial art that emphasizes grappling, striking, and throwing techniques. Vovinam is a complete system of self-defense that prepares practitioners for real-life situations.
One of the key elements of Vovinam is its emphasis on acrobatic movements. These movements require a high level of physical fitness and agility, and are used to surprise and disarm attackers. Vovinam also places great importance on weapons training, including the use of the staff, sword, and other traditional Vietnamese weapons.
The Core Beliefs of Vovinam
At the core of Vovinam's philosophy is the belief that martial arts training is not just about physical fitness, but also about mental and spiritual development. Vovinam practitioners strive to live in harmony with themselves and others, and to cultivate a strong sense of discipline and respect. The practice of Vovinam is not just about learning self-defense techniques, but also about becoming a better person.
Vovinam's emphasis on discipline and hard work helps practitioners to develop a strong work ethic and a sense of responsibility. This is achieved through a strict code of conduct that emphasizes respect for authority, self-discipline, and accountability.
The Unique Techniques and Forms
One of the most unique aspects of Vovinam is its use of acrobatic movements and jumping techniques. These movements require a high level of physical fitness and agility, and are used to surprise and disarm attackers. The use of weapons is also a key element of Vovinam training, with practitioners learning to use a variety of traditional Vietnamese weapons.
In addition to these techniques, Vovinam also emphasizes the use of forms, or "kata." These are pre-arranged sequences of movements that simulate real-life self-defense situations. Practitioners of Vovinam learn a variety of forms, each with its own unique set of techniques and challenges.
The Importance of Self-Defense and Discipline
Vovinam places great emphasis on the importance of self-defense. Practitioners learn a variety of techniques for deflecting and disarming attackers, and are taught to remain calm and focused under pressure. The practice of Vovinam also emphasizes the importance of discipline and hard work.
Through the practice of Vovinam, individuals learn to become self-disciplined, responsible, and accountable for their actions. This is achieved through a strict code of conduct that emphasizes respect for authority, self-discipline, and hard work. By developing these qualities, Vovinam practitioners become well-rounded, confident, and disciplined members of society.
The Growth and Expansion of Vovinam
Over the years, Vovinam has gained popularity across Vietnam and around the world. Today, Vovinam is practiced in over 60 countries, making it one of the most widely-practiced Vietnamese martial arts disciplines. Vovinam has also gained recognition from international martial arts organizations, including the World Martial Arts Union and the International Martial Arts Federation.
Spreading Vovinam Across Vietnam
From its humble beginnings in Hanoi, Vovinam has grown to become a national phenomenon in Vietnam. Today, there are over 2 million registered practitioners of Vovinam in Vietnam. Vovinam is also taught in many schools, universities, and even in some military units. This makes Vovinam one of the most accessible martial arts disciplines in the country.
The growth of Vovinam in Vietnam can be attributed to the efforts of Grandmaster Nguyen Loc, who founded the discipline in 1938. Grandmaster Nguyen Loc was a student of many different martial arts disciplines, and he sought to create a new martial arts style that would be uniquely Vietnamese. He combined traditional Vietnamese martial arts with techniques from other disciplines, such as judo and boxing, to create Vovinam.
Grandmaster Nguyen Loc's efforts to spread Vovinam throughout Vietnam were aided by the fact that he was a high-ranking official in the Vietnamese government. He used his position to promote Vovinam and to encourage its adoption by the military and other government organizations. Today, Vovinam is still taught in many military units across Vietnam.
International Recognition and Adoption
Vovinam has also gained recognition and adoption in many other countries across the world. Today, there are Vovinam schools in Europe, Asia, America, and Africa. Vovinam has also been included in many international martial arts competitions, where it has made a name for itself for its unique style, fluid movements, and acrobatic techniques.
The spread of Vovinam outside of Vietnam can be attributed to the efforts of many dedicated practitioners who have traveled abroad to teach the discipline. These practitioners have worked hard to promote Vovinam and to demonstrate its effectiveness as a martial arts style. They have also adapted Vovinam to suit the needs of practitioners in different countries, incorporating techniques from other martial arts disciplines and modifying training methods to suit different cultural contexts.
The Role of Vovinam in Modern Martial Arts
Vovinam has played an important role in shaping modern martial arts practice. The discipline has been instrumental in helping martial artists to incorporate acrobatic movements, jumping techniques, and weapons training into their practice. Vovinam has also helped to promote the overall values of discipline, self-confidence, and mental toughness that are essential for any martial artist.
In recent years, Vovinam has also been used as a training method for military and law enforcement personnel. The discipline's emphasis on practical self-defense techniques and its focus on mental and physical discipline make it an ideal training method for these professions.
Overall, Vovinam's growth and expansion over the years have been remarkable. From its origins in Hanoi to its current status as a widely-practiced martial arts discipline, Vovinam has demonstrated its effectiveness and adaptability. As Vovinam continues to spread and evolve, it will undoubtedly continue to play an important role in the world of martial arts.
The Legacy of Nguyễn Lộc
The founder of Vovinam, Nguyễn Lộc, left behind a rich legacy that continues to inspire martial artists around the world.
Honoring the Founder's Vision
Vovinam practitioners around the world continue to honor Nguyễn Lộc's vision by staying true to the core principles and values of the discipline. The continued growth and expansion of Vovinam are a testament to the effectiveness and relevance of Nguyễn Lộc's vision of a martial art that not only promotes physical fitness but also develops character and self-confidence.
The Impact of Vovinam on Martial Arts Culture
Vovinam has had a significant impact on the martial arts culture in Vietnam and around the world. The practice of Vovinam has helped to preserve traditional Vietnamese martial arts techniques and philosophy, while also incorporating modern sports techniques. Vovinam has also helped to popularize martial arts practice around the world and has made it accessible to anyone who is interested in learning more about it.
The Future of Vovinam and Its Practitioners
The future of Vovinam looks bright. As the discipline continues to grow in popularity, more and more people around the world are getting exposed to the unique style and philosophy of Vovinam. Vovinam practitioners continue to inspire others by living out the values of discipline, respect, and self-confidence that are at the heart of Vovinam's practice. For anyone interested in martial arts, Vovinam is a discipline that is worth exploring.