He was analyzing very attentively all matters relating to martial arts, to the smallest detail. His steps are everywhere, from the border of the Red river, to Phà Đen quay, the Bác Cổ institute or Hà Nội Opera House, where he practiced his quyềns and weapons techniques…starting often before dawn. Beside this, he was also taking part in different martial arts classes, and was attending fights or discussing with other experts, in order to find techniques from different styles (including Chinese, Japanese, Thai styles and even Boxing) which would be at the same time aesthetic, efficient and simple. Mr Nguyễn Lộc realized this way that every martial art had his own advantages. Some were based on force, with rigid and strong techniques, while some were based on flexibility, with rapid, agile and mobile techniques, using less strength. As for Vietnamese styles, they were quite original, reconciling force and flexibility. Their techniques could be easily adapted to all peoples, irrespective of their specific physical characteristics. Because some Vietnamese styles had been established a long time ago,
Mr Nguyễn Lộc was aware that some techniques were not really suitable anymore, often incompatible with modern ways of training. Despite this, Mr Nguyễn Lộc was of the opinion that these techniques had still a useful pedagogical aspect not to neglect, especially as they would help develop the sense of balance, precision, agility: abilities that everyone needs, whatever the period they live in. It was therefore essential for Mr Nguyễn Lộc to design more modern teaching methods in order to transmit the ancient techniques, in such a way that they would keep their original character, but at the same time be compatible with the modern culture and state of mind of people of his generation. Starting from traditional Vietnamese wrestling and martial arts techniques as foundations, Mr Nguyễn Lộc then added the best techniques from the other styles he had been studying to codify his own new discipline, which he named Vovinam, short and internationalized version for “Võ Việt Nam”, which literally means “Vietnamese martial art”. He chose that name as it was easy to read and to remember. During the Autumn of 1938, once his research was accomplished, Mr. Nguyễn Lộc set up a trial class for some of his close friends. At the same time, he was continuously improving the Vovinam programme, both on its theoretical and technical aspects. Almost a year later, with his first generation of students, he presented Vovinam to the public at the Hanoi Opera (Nhà Hát Lớn Hà Nội). It was a great success for Vovinam as it attracted a large number of spectators. In order to facilitate the spread and development of his “spiritual baby”, Mr Nguyễn Lộc accepted the invitation of Dr. Đặng Vũ Hỷ, chief of the “Association of friends of Sports”, to organize Vovinam classes for the youth. The first public class opened in the Spring of 1940, at the Pedagogy School of Hanoi. Many other classes followed, at the Septo field, Nhà Đèn field, the Agriculture University, etc. During the next 15 years or so (1940-1954), Vovinam became very popular in Hà Nội, and the surrounding areas, like Sơn Tây, Nam Định, Thanh Hóa,…

According to Master Chưởng Môn Lê Sáng, although the programme was already structured in three levels (beginner, intermediate and advanced), very few students would train for more than 3 years, because of the political and social situation at that period, because of prohibitions from the French colonialists. Only a handful of people were training secretly. The public classes usually spanned only over three months, and included: physical condition training, stances, strength training, crawling, falls and rolls, basic self defense and locks, counter attacks as well as 4 dual forms, self defense against sword, the long stick, machete, 21 offensive leg techniques (those were included in the dual forms. They were not practiced on their own.). During training sessions or demonstrations, pratitioners would wear short trousers and bare-chested.

In 1945, Mr Nguyễn Lộc married Ms Nguyễn Thị Minh, daughter of Mr Nguyễn Ngọc Hoán and Mrs Bùi Thị Ngọ, which whom he got 9 children (3 boys and 6 girls): Nguyễn Đạo, Nguyễn Chính, Nguyễn Quang, Nguyễn Thanh Phương, Nguyễn Thanh Mai, Nguyễn Thanh Ngà, Nguyễn Thanh Phú, Nguyễn Thanh Bình and Nguyễn Thanh Mỹ. Mr. Nguyễn Lộc was of strong stature (above 90 kg) and though he was a famous martial arts master. With a hot pot of tea and a cigarette pack aside, he found himself immersed in day long and sometimes even night long literature, fine arts and photography discussion with his friends and disciples. Sociable and kind, he was respected by everyone around him. Gentle, harmonious, simple, Mr. Nguyễn Lộc insisted that the disciples called him “Anh Lộc” (Brother Lộc). Even so, he was very strict, cautious, and had high expectations for himself and his disciples when it came to training.

In 1955, Founder Master Nguyễn Lộc opened the training center at 58 Avigateur Garros Street (now is Thủ Khoa Huân St, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City). Leaving Thủ Khoa Huân, he resided at his own home on Nguyễn Khắc Nhu St. Unfortunately, at the time when the work of promoting Vovinam in the new region of Ho Chi Minh City still had many difficulties, Founder Master Nguyễn Lộc departed from our world on the 4th day of the 4th month of the rat year (lunar calendar) – 29/04/1960, after a few years suffering from a critical illness, leaving behind many grieving family and disciples. Currently, his remains is protected and preserved at Tổ Đường (31 Sư Vạn Hạnh, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)

Grandmaster Lê Sáng – The Brilliant Successor of Founding Grandmaster Nguyễn Lộc

Master Lê Sáng’s family originally resided in Thanh Hóa Province, but he was born in autumn of 1920 in a house on the banks of Trúc Bạch lake in Hà Nội, the oldest son of Mr. Lê Văn Hiển (known professionally as Đức Quang, 1887 – 1959) and Mrs. Nguyễn Thị Mùi (1887 – 1993). His two sisters are Lê Thị Xuất (1927-2004) and Lê Thị Dư who is also known as Hoài Hương (borned on 12-9-1937).

In 1939, after suffering a severe illness which left him walking with difficulty, he followed his mother’s advice and began studying martial arts in order to strengthen his legs and improve his physical health. Good fortune steered him to Founding Grandmaster Nguyễn Lộc’s Vovinam class at the Hà Nội Pedagogical College (Ecole Normale). Due to his natural ability, intelligence, and diligent practice, after just a few years he was chosen by Founding Grandmaster Nguyễn Lộc to take part in the work of training others in Hà Nội. From then on, he became as close to Grandmaster Nguyễn Lộc as a younger brother is to an older brother, sharing in his labors and his hardships, following him as he taught the discipline of Vovinam in many places in northern provinces of Việt Nam such as: Hữu Bằng, Chế Lưu, Ấm Thượng, Thanh Hương, Đan Hà, Đan Phú, etc.

The ideology steers Vovinam-Việt Võ Đạo disciples toward a noble life philosophy: “Live, let other live, and live for others”.  Following it, a Vovinam-Việt Võ Đạo disciples not only gain martial arts ability to overcome one’s own weakness of mind and body, the person can also organize for himself or herself a decent life, but also not to interfere with other lives as well as also has the responsibility to help others living well, and willing to sacrifice personal, tangible or intangible, interests to serve the common good of the discipline and the society at large… Furthermore, he was constantly honing and improving the Vovinam-Việt Võ Đạo techniques to become even more rich and useful, suitable for variety of people. Even at very old age, Grandmaster Lê Sáng continued his research and enhanced the technical program to adapt to the new development phase when Vovinam-Việt Võ Đạo has begun to show strong growth overseas following the milestone laid initially in France since 1973.

All important contributions of Grandmaster Lê Sáng is the prelude for creating the basis for Vovinam-Việt Võ Đạo movement to thrive, flourish and gradually spread over 40 countries around the world, making a strong impression of Vietnamese martial art traditions as well as a cultural identity of the people of Vietnam.

Beyond his responsibility and dedication to the discipline, Grand Master Lê Sáng also participated in other activities. He was elected Secretary General of South Vietnam Martial Arts Coalition and the General Treasurer Olympic Commission of South Vietnam for several consecutive terms (from the early 1960s to early 1970s). During that time, with high sense of responsibility, shrewd business skills and impeccable integrity, he earned respect of the sport officials and masters of other disciplines.

Not only a skilled practitioner of the martial arts, Grandmaster Lê Sáng possessed excellent business sense; he was also a leader with great management abilities and a truly talented and creative individual. With clear, beautiful strokes of calligraphy brushes, he has composed many poems of deep and stirringly emotions, and of chivalrous nature. Some of the poems of the Grand Master (under pseudonym of Quang Vũ or Huy Vũ) were transposed into popular songs.  In his daily life he lives simply, always willing to help a friend and always displaying true sincerity in his encounters with others. To his disciples, he is a whole-hearted teacher, loving and tolerant. When his parents fell ill, he cared for them thoughtfully and carefully, never leaving their sides. His life is an example of humility, with constant self-improvement, and non-stop self-learning process
to adapt and fulfill the role that the Founding Grandmaster has entrusted in him. Even when he personally or the discipline facing momentous obstacles, and what seemingly insurmountable challenges, his work ethic shines with impeccable integrity, endurance, and optimism in brighter days ahead. For nearly a year, although with his declining health, Grandmaster Lê Sáng’s mind stayed very lucid and brilliant. Even in the last days of life struggling with illness, the Grandmaster still demonstrated a high sense of responsibility for the discipline’s mission while preparing to transfer leadership responsibilities to the Vovinam-Việt
Võ Đạo’s Council of Managing Masters. Remained unmarried until his death, without the burden of family, instilled with Eastern philosophy, through his talent and impeccable morality, he became the star pupil of the
Founding Grandmaster Nguyễn Lộc. Grandmaster Lê Sáng has sacrificed nearly his entire life to the work of building up and developing the discipline of Vovinam-Việt Võ Đạo.

After a period of grave illness, at 3 am on September 27, 2010, or the eighth month of the lunar calendar, year of the Tiger, Grandmaster Lê Sáng has gone forever at 91 years of age. The departure of Grandmaster Lê Sáng is a major loss to the martial arts in general and to the võ đạo teachings; and undoubtedly it’s a great misfortune for all Vovinam-Việt Võ Đạo disciples worldwide.

MASTER NGUYỄN VĂN CHIẾU

Master Nguyễn Văn Chiếu was born in Vietnam on November the 4th, 1949. He began to practice Vovinam in 1965 with Master Trịnh Ngọc Minh and later, with Patriarch Master Lê Sáng.

In 1967, he obtained the title of Vovinam instructor and taught in Petrusky Vovinam Club in Saigon.

In 1969-1970, he taught Vovinam in Cam Ranh Town, Nha Trang city and became director of Cam Ranh’s Training Center.

Between 1970 and 1975, he taught Vovinam in Quy Nhơn City (Bình Định), a famous region known as the land of martial arts. Even though he was still very young (21 years old), Master Nguyễn Văn Chiếu was very hard-working, diligent  and cautious. He was know for talking little but doing much and as someone who only speaks about what he knows and about what he can do.