The three-day event, scheduled for August 7–9, will take place at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Tran Nhan Tong pedestrian street and several other venues across the capital, according to the Hanoi People’s Committee.

The festival will be organised by the municipal administration, with the Department of Culture and Sports serving as the main coordinator. The organisers expect the event to attract between 1,500 and 2,000 participants, including masters, athletes, coaches and artists from both domestic and international martial arts delegations.

Held under the theme “Thang Long’s Heroic Spirit – The Essence of Vietnamese Martial Arts,” the festival aims to honour, preserve and promote traditional martial arts while showcasing Vietnam’s culture and people, particularly those of Hanoi, to international audiences.

The event is also expected to foster cultural exchange and international cooperation, support tourism and sports economy development, and strengthen connections among martial arts schools from different countries. In the longer term, Hanoi aims to establish the festival as a signature annual event, contributing to its ambition of becoming a regional hub for cultural and sporting activities.

The opening ceremony will take place on the evening of August 7 at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, featuring a large-scale artistic programme combining martial arts performances, traditional music and modern stage technology.

A series of side events will also be held, including seminars on the history of traditional martial arts in Hanoi and discussions on investment strategies for both traditional and modern martial arts development.

Exhibitions showcasing traditional and international martial arts, equipment, costumes and related artifacts will offer visitors deeper insight into the history, cultural values and spirit of martial arts. Interactive digital experiences will also be incorporated.

The festival will feature a diverse lineup of competitions and exchanges across multiple disciplines, including traditional Vietnamese martial arts, Vovinam, Karate, Pencak Silat, Taekwondo, Wushu and mixed martial arts (MMA).

In addition to core activities, the event will include programmes promoting Hanoi’s culture and heritage, such as tours to historical sites, traditional craft villages and the Old Quarter, as well as community-level martial arts performances, cultural exchanges and folk games.

Ho Chi Minh City international martial arts festival spreads message of peace

VOV.VN - Le Loi Street in Ho Chi Minh City will become a “martial arts boulevard” for three days, with thousands of masters, coaches and practitioners from more than 20 domestic and international delegations gathering to take part in the Ho Chi Minh City International Martial Arts Festival, to be held from November 21 to 23.