The 9th International Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts Festival officially opened on Sunday at Nguyen Tat Thanh Square in Quy Nhon Ward, bringing together martial arts masters, practitioners from Vietnam and abroad in a celebration of traditional martial arts and its international presence.
Thousands of spectators attended the opening ceremony, themed "Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts – Shining Essence," which was jointly organized by the Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Vietnam Traditional Martial Arts Federation and the World Federation of Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts.
Delegates attend the opening ceremony. Photo: H.V - N.D
Among those attending were Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoàng Đạo Cương; Gia Lai Provincial Party Secretary Thái Đại Ngọc; Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee Chairman Phạm Anh Tuấn; provincial leaders; representatives of domestic and international martial arts organizations; and local residents and visitors.
Nguyễn Tất Thành Square (Quy Nhơn Ward) – the venue for the opening ceremony of the 9th International Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts Festival – Gia Lai 2026. Photo: Nguyễn Dũng
Representatives of martial arts federations included Nguyễn Ngọc Anh, President of the Vietnam Traditional Martial Arts Federation; Lê Ngọc Quang, Executive Vice President of the World Federation of Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts; Iurii Popov, Vice President of the World Federation and President of the Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts Federation in Russia; and Oliver Barbey, Deputy Secretary General of the World Federation and President of the International Sơn Long Quyền Thuật School.
The national flag contingent leads the parade. Photo: H.V
The ceremony began with a parade under the message "Convergence – Exchange – Spread – Development," featuring the national flag procession, the festival emblem, red flag contingent, international and domestic martial arts delegations and the host Gia Lai team.
A traditional torch-lighting ceremony formed the centerpiece of the opening event. The flame, brought from the Tây Sơn Tam Kiệt Temple, the homeland of national hero Quang Trung – Nguyễn Huệ, symbolized both the opening of the festival and the enduring martial spirit shaped throughout Vietnam's history.
The Organizing Committee presents commemorative medals and flags to representatives of participating martial arts delegations. Photo: H.V
Organizers said Vietnamese traditional martial arts, rooted in the country's long tradition of nation-building and national defense, have become an integral part of Vietnam's cultural identity while continuing to evolve through community efforts.
Addressing the ceremony, Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee Chairman Phạm Anh Tuấn described the province as a meeting point between the martial traditions of Bình Định and the cultural heritage of the Central Highlands.
Chairman of the Gia Lai Provincial People’s Committee Phạm Anh Tuấn delivers remarks at the opening ceremony. Photo: Nguyễn Dũng
He said preserving and promoting traditional martial arts means safeguarding not only a martial discipline but also a vital part of the nation's history, resilience and cultural identity.
Phạm Anh Tuấn said the province would continue expanding opportunities for traditional martial arts instruction within local communities while encouraging younger generations to embrace its values.
He added that Gia Lai aims to strengthen links between martial arts, culture, education, sports and tourism, positioning traditional martial arts as a distinctive cultural product and tourism highlight for the province.
Artistic performances, singing, dancing, and martial arts displays opened the program, recreating the roots of culture and the martial spirit of the nation. Photo: H.V
He also called on martial arts organizations, masters and practitioners from Vietnam and overseas to continue sharing experience and working together to preserve and promote Vietnamese traditional martial arts internationally.
Following the traditional "Honoring the Founders" ritual, the opening ceremony featured a three-part artistic program comprising "Echoes of Vietnamese Heroism," "Bình Định Traditional Martial Arts – Convergence and Spread," and "Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts – Radiant Essence."
Provincial Party Secretary Thái Đại Ngọc performs the torch-lighting ritual, officially opening the 9th International Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts Festival – Gia Lai 2026. Photo: Nguyễn Dũng
The performances combined martial arts demonstrations, traditional weapons, music, dance and stage technology to illustrate the development of Vietnamese martial arts from its historical origins to its contemporary international presence.
The program emphasized Vietnamese traditional martial arts as more than a system of self-defense, portraying it as a cultural tradition that promotes morality, compassion, resilience and aspirations for peace.
The first chapter depicted the nation's history of defending and expanding its territory through large-scale martial arts performances that reflected the martial spirit and determination of generations of Vietnamese people.
Performance of the traditional opera “Diễn Trường luyện quân” by artists from the Gia Lai Traditional Arts Theater. Photo: H.V Singing, dancing, and martial arts performances set to the song “Hào khí Việt Nam.” Photo: H.V
The second chapter highlighted Bình Định as the cradle of Vietnamese traditional martial arts, portraying the preservation, inheritance and development of martial traditions across generations.
According to organizers, Vietnamese traditional martial arts are now practiced in about 45 countries and territories through more than 400 centers, schools and clubs, supported by over 1,000 masters and coaches and approximately one million practitioners worldwide.
Performance titled “The Call from the Great Highlands.” Photo: H.V
The performances underscored that, despite differences in language, culture and nationality, practitioners share common values of respect, compassion, self-improvement and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty, helping transform Vietnamese traditional martial arts into a bridge for international friendship and cultural exchange.
The final chapter showcased masters and practitioners from Vietnam and overseas performing together, illustrating the continued international integration of Vietnamese traditional martial arts.
Martial arts performance “Lăn khiên đao.” Photo: H.V
The closing performance combined large-scale choreography with modern lighting effects to convey the message that Vietnamese traditional martial arts continue to evolve while preserving their heritage, connecting people across continents through the shared values of martial spirit, compassion and the pursuit of peace.
The performance “Prosperous, Radiant Vietnam,” featuring singers, actors, martial arts masters, practitioners, and international delegations, concluded the opening night. Photo: H.V
Martial arts practitioner Hala El Hsissen. Photo: H.V
Hala El Hsissen – practitioner of Văn Lang Võ Đạo in Morocco:
This is my third time participating in the International Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts Festival, and I always feel honored to return to Quy Nhơn.
I have been practicing martial arts for 23 years, since I was just three years old. Thanks to Vietnamese traditional martial arts, I have had the opportunity to meet many international friends who share the same passion.
We hope to exchange, spread cultural values, happiness, and our love for martial arts. The emotions this festival brings are truly hard to put into words.”
Master Stéphane Lesoil – Head of Tiểu Long Đường, Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts in France:
In France, there are currently many practitioners training and nurturing a special love for Vietnamese traditional martial arts.
Reporter interviews Master Stéphane Lesoil (far right) and student Grand Louis (center). Photo: Minh Nguyệt
Although this martial art features many difficult techniques and requires high concentration and discipline during training, it is precisely these qualities that make it uniquely appealing and foster long-term commitment.
The festival is an opportunity for schools from countries such as France, Russia, Morocco, and others to meet and exchange, and I hope Vietnamese traditional martial arts will become even more widespread around the world.
For me, this martial art holds special meaning because my teacher is Vietnamese and also my closest friend.
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