Over 2,500 martial artists gather for international tournament in HCM City
VOV.VN - The 1st Ho Chi Minh City International Traditional Martial Arts Tournament and the 19th Expanded Ho Chi Minh City Traditional Martial Arts Festival 2026 began on July 23, drawing the participation of more than 2,500 martial arts masters, coaches, and athletes.
The gathering features 128 delegations, including teams from nine foreign nations, including France, the US, Italy, Algeria, Ireland, Russia, Morocco, India, and Belarus. Among these, 24 delegations are competing in the inaugural international tournament.
Competitors are performing across multiple categories, including mandatory and optional martial arts forms, weapon routines, sparring, and traditional rhythmic martial arts.
Speaking at the ceremony, Nguyen Nam Nhan, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports, stated that traditional Vietnamese martial arts embody values of humanity and sportsmanship while sharing cultural philosophy with international friends.
According to Ha Thi Yen Oanh, Vice President of the Vietnam Traditional Martial Arts Federation, the event provides a platform to preserve martial arts traditions and strengthen cultural exchanges among participating nations.
The opening program included artistic performances, lion and dragon dances, and martial arts demonstrations centered on the theme "The Brilliance of Vietnamese Martial Arts Spirit."
The tournament and festival run through July 25.
Traditional martial arts festival attracts 1,200 locals and foreigners
VOV.VN - The eighth Vietnam international traditional martial arts festival is set to get underway in the south-central province of Binh Dinh from August 2 to 5, to promote mutual understanding and solidarity among domestic and foreign athletes, and to introduce the unique features of Vietnamese traditional martial arts.
