Vovinam Principles
Vovinam (short for Võ Việt Nam) is a martial arts style originating from Vietnam. It was established in 1938 during French colonial rule of Vietnam by Grandmaster Nguyễn Lộc after a long period of researching various martial arts of neighbouring cultures.
Unique to Vovinam is the dual focus on the body and the mind, exemplified by its foundational principle: “Iron Hand on a Gentle Heart”.
As a martial art, Vovinam incorporates combat skills with the theory of Hard and Soft, also called Âm-Dương or Yin-Yang. Using both hard and soft combat techniques, Vovinam practitioners learn to adapt to different situations such as in sparring, wrestling, self-defence, and duelling and solo patterns.
Initially, students start by learning hand-to-hand self-defence techniques such as strikes, kicks, blocks and attack combos. More advanced students extend their knowledge in hand-to-hand combat through wrestling and free-sparring, as well as developing skills in weaponry, including knives, swords, folding fans, staves and scimitars.
Vovinam students also receive teaching in Vietnamese language, Vovinam history and the philosophy of hard-soft as it applies to daily life to strengthen the mind. Through these teachings, Grandmaster Nguyễn Lộc believed that Vovinam could create disciplined, upstanding members of society with indomitable spirit and the honour and courage to defend the less fortunate.
Meet the Team
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Le Cong Danh
Master Le Cong Danh started training in 1961. He received his Red Belt I in 1971.
Master Danh is the founding member of Vovinam Australia and received his Supreme White Belt in 2008.
Master Danh still shares his extensive knowledge and wisdom to his students of all belts in the Cabramatta and Chester Hill hall. -
Quang Hua
Master Quang started training in 1992. He received his Red Belt in 2010 and received his Red Belt 1 Stripe in 2021.
Master Quang has often travelled to Vietnam, France, Belgium, Germany and USA for Vovinam tournaments and conferences.
Master Quang teaches all belt levels in the Chester Hill hall. -
Tai Le
Master Tai Le started training in 1986. He received his Red Belt in 2002.
Master Tai teaches all belt levels Yellow belt classes in the Chester Hill hall.
Vovinam Belt Structure
The coloured belt system in Vovinam is different from other popular martial arts, such as Karate and Tae-kwon-do. Grading exams are held twice yearly and include both theory and practical components. Successful applicants are awarded their belt in a special ceremony.
As Vovinam students develop in their practice, their belt colour symbolises their embodiment of self-discipline and Vovinam practice. Each belt colour has a different meaning:
Light Blue is the lowest grade of belt and is given to students starting out in Vovinam. Students can grade up to accumulate 3 stripes on their Light Blue belt.
Blue is the second grade of belt above Light Blue. The blue colour compares the expansive blue seas and sky to the hope and potential of Vovinam students. Students can grade up to accumulate 3 stripes on their Blue belt.
Yellow is the instructor level belt in Vovinam and is above Blue. In other martial arts, this belt is equivalent to the black belt. The yellow colour represents how Vovinam practice and Vovinam’s values have penetrated deep into the student’s skin. Instructors can grade up to accumulate 3 stripes on their Yellow belt.
Red is the master level belt in Vovinam and is above Yellow. The red colour represents how the master’s Vovinam practice and Vovinam’s values have penetrated their blood, circulating throughout the body and empowering them like an intense flame. Masters can grade up to accumulate 7 stripes on their Red belt.
White is the grandmaster level belt in Vovinam and is the highest grade of belt. The white colour represents how the grandmaster embodies Vovinam’s values down to their bones. The white colour also depicts the infiniteness of the spirit and absolute mastery of Vovinam’s techniques.
Along its length, the grandmaster’s belt has stripes of blue, yellow and red, representing the students of Vovinam.
Contact us
If you’d like to learn more about Vovinam or even start a free trial, contact us today!