Vovinam

A Việt Nam representative on the top podium of the World Vovinam Championship which closes in HCM City on November 30. VNS Photos

HCM CITY — Việt Nam placed on top of the medal tally after six days of competitions at the seventh World Vovinam Championship on December 30 in HCM City.

The host team won 18 gold and eight silver medals in both combat and performance events held at the Phú Thọ Gymnasium.

Algeria came second with nine gold, seven silver and six bronze medals. Cambodia were third winning six gold, five silver and nine bronze.

The world championships featured 650 athletes, coaches, and referees from 35 countries and territories, competing for a total of 44 sets of medals.

The eighth edition will be held in 2025 in Algeria.

Vovinam has been recognised as a national intangible heritage. A dossier of vovinam will be submitted to the UNESCO for recognition as a world intangible heritage. 

Founded by the late master Nguyễn Lộc in 1938 in Hà Nội, this traditional martial art has been diligently preserved, promoted, and developed by generations of martial art masters. Currently, vovinam is practiced by over 2.5 million martial artists from approximately 70 countries and territories.

The World Vovinam Federation was established in 2008, a milestone in the development of the martial art form around the world, with continental federation members in Asia, Europe and Africa.

International competitions have been organised regularly, increasing in quantity and quality. — VNS