“In early 2006, we had eight months to prepare for the international festival of Vietnamese traditional martial arts taking place in Binh Dinh for the first time,” said Le Van Minh, head of the organisation board for the 1st and 2nd international festivals. “The 2nd one was held in 2008 when the Tay Son – Binh Dinh Festival was taking place at the same time.”
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An art performance at the 2nd international festival of Vietnamese traditional martial arts. Photo V.L |
According to the Government-approved plan to celebrate 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long – Ha Noi, the central province of Binh Dinh was assigned to host the third international festival of Vietnamese traditional martial arts this year.
The first martial arts festival attracted more than 30 squads coming from 22 countries and territories whilst there were 74 squads from 26 countries and territories attending the second one, which was held at the same time with the “Miss Martial Arts” pageant and the national traditional martial arts championship.
“The festival is the gathering of different martial arts schools, honoring Vietnamese traditional martial arts in general and unique features of Binh Dinh martial arts in particular,” Vice Chairwoman of Binh Dinh Provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Thanh Binh said at the opening ceremony. “The seminar taking place afterward is expected to form an effective strategy, aimed at preserving and developing Vietnamese traditional martial arts.”
Many martial arts masters and their disciples joining the festival in Binh Dinh said the first festival was compared with a pilgrimage to the cradle of martial arts and the second one was like a return to the hometown.
The functional bodies have been preparing for the third event which is set to take place this year, celebrating the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long – Ha Noi.
The international festival of Vietnamese traditional martial arts was issued the certificate of copyright registration last year, which is the initial preparation for an imposing festival in the coming time.
When being organized for the first time, the festival attracted different schools of martial arts, such as Vovinam and Qwan Ki Do. Similarly, the second festival was also an opportunity for various schools of martial arts to be performed, let alone a seminar entitled “Enhancing Vietnamese martial arts”.
The third international festival of Vietnamese traditional martial arts is believed to be one of many big events taking place this year.
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