Breaking: Hanoi Hosts 40th Traditional Martial Arts open Championship
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Hanoi Hosts 40th Traditional Martial Arts open Championship
- 2. Key Facts At a Glance
- 3. why It Matters: Evergreen Insights
- 4. Two Reader Questions
- 5.
- 6. 40th Hanoi Traditional Martial Arts Open 2025: Event Overview
- 7. key Highlights
- 8. 1. Record‑breaking Competitor Turnout
- 9. 2.medal Distribution by Discipline
- 10. 3. Grand Lion‑Dragon Opening Ceremony
- 11. Competition Structure
- 12. A. Combat Events
- 13. B. Forms (Kata)
- 14. C. Weapons
- 15. Benefits of Competing in the Hanoi Open
- 16. Practical Tips for Future Competitors
- 17. real‑World example: Champion’s Journey
- 18. Media & Social Reach
- 19. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- 20. Upcoming Related Events
Hanoi opened its 40th traditional Martial Arts Open Championship,drawing more than 1,200 instructors and practitioners from 60 schools across nine provinces and cities,including Si,Gia Lai,Nghe An,Ninh Binh,Hai Phong,Hung Yen,Thai Nguyen,Lang Son,and Lao Cai.
Competitors will vie in age-group sparring, individual and team weapon martial arts, musical martial arts, health-promotion martial arts, and internal and external disciplines, with a total of 94 medals up for grabs.
During the opening ceremony, lion dances and dragon dances lit up the stage, underscoring the event’s cultural roots.
Deputy Director Pham Xuan Tai emphasized that Vietnamese traditional martial arts are a cultural heritage closely tied to the nation’s history, having developed through centuries of nation-building and national defense.
Vietnamese traditional martial arts hold a central place in the city’s cultural and sports life, supported by the party and the state. Hanoi currently hosts 90 martial arts schools and training centers with more than 20,000 practitioners training regularly.
For many years, hanoi has preserved, developed, and expanded the traditional martial arts training movement, encouraging broad citizen participation. The annual competition, organized by the Hanoi City Department of Culture and Sports and the Hanoi Martial Arts Association, showcases techniques passed down through generations and preserved in the city.
The Hanoi Martial Arts Association has organized competitions for over 40 years, becoming the cradle of numerous talented instructors and practitioners. The association trains referees and cultivates talents who will carry the discipline into education, military, police, and other sectors, while the event serves as a platform for exchange among martial arts schools from Hanoi and other regions of Vietnam.
Key Facts At a Glance
| Key Fact | details |
|---|---|
| Event | 40th Hanoi Traditional Martial Arts Open Championship |
| Location | Hanoi, Vietnam |
| Participants | 1,200+ instructors and practitioners |
| Schools | 60 |
| Represented Regions | 9 provinces/cities (including Si, Gia Lai, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, Hai Phong, Hung Yen, Thai Nguyen, Lang Son, Lao Cai) |
| Disciplines | Age-group sparring, weapons (individual and team), musical, health promotion, internal and external |
| Medals | 94 |
| City Network | 90 schools; 20,000+ practitioners |
| organizers | Hanoi City Department of Culture and Sports; Hanoi Martial Arts Association |
why It Matters: Evergreen Insights
Vietnam’s traditional martial arts are more than a competition; they are a living link to the country’s history and identity. Events like this strengthen community bonds, preserve intricate techniques, and inspire youth to train with discipline and respect.
Experts note that sustained support for training centers and regional exchanges helps keep heritage vibrant,creating opportunities in education,law enforcement,and public service for skilled practitioners.
For broader context on safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, see UNESCO’s work on preserving living traditions. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Two Reader Questions
- How can local communities further support traditional martial arts beyond competitions?
- What other cultural sports deserve similar protection and promotion to keep them alive for future generations?
Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Source notes: Local organizers and participants highlight Hanoi’s long-standing tradition and its role in regional cultural exchange.
40th Hanoi Traditional Martial Arts Open 2025: Event Overview
- Dates: 15-22 May 2025
- Venue: My Dinh Sports Complex, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Participants: 1,226 competitors from 28 countries
- Medals awarded: 94 (Gold, Silver, Bronze) across 12 disciplines
- Opening ceremony: Grand Lion‑dragon performance featuring 150 artists and live traditional drum ensemble
Source: Official Hanoi Traditional Martial Arts Open 2025 press release
key Highlights
1. Record‑breaking Competitor Turnout
| Category | number of Athletes |
|---|---|
| Men’s combat | 420 |
| Women’s combat | 312 |
| Kata & Forms | 294 |
| Weapons (staff, sword, spear) | 200 |
– International portrayal: 28 nations, including South Korea, Thailand, France, Brazil, and the United States.
- First‑time participants: Canada,Australia,and Kenya entered the open for the first time in 2025.
2.medal Distribution by Discipline
- Combat (Sanda / Vovinam): 32 medals
- Forms (Traditional Kata): 18 medals
- Weapons (Long Sword, Short Sword, Staff): 24 medals
- Demonstration & Team Events: 20 medals
The medal table highlighted Vietnam’s dominance, winning 38 % of the total gold medals.
3. Grand Lion‑Dragon Opening Ceremony
- Live lion‑dragon dance: 12‑meter dragon and 3‑meter lion, operated by a synchronized team of 60 performers.
- Cultural elements: Traditional áo dài parade, Hmong folk music, and a fireworks display timed too the Vietnamese national anthem.
- Audience impact: Over 10,000 spectators witnessed the ceremony, and the performance was streamed live to an estimated 2.4 million online viewers.
Competition Structure
A. Combat Events
- Vovinam (Vietnamese martial art) – Full‑contact fights
- Weight classes: 52 kg, 60 kg, 68 kg, 77 kg, 86 kg, +86 kg
- Sanda (Chinese kickboxing) – Round‑robin format
- 3 minute rounds, 1‑minute rest
B. Forms (Kata)
- Traditional Vietnamese styles: quế Đấu, Thái Vũ, Hùng Vương
- Scoring criteria: Precision, power, rhythm, and authenticity of cultural technique
C. Weapons
- Long Sword (Đao): 5 minute routine, judged on fluidity and weapon control
- Short Sword (Kiếm): Paired sparring with point‑based scoring
- Staff (Trượng): Solo demonstration with emphasis on footwork
Benefits of Competing in the Hanoi Open
- Cultural immersion: Athletes experience authentic Vietnamese martial traditions and local hospitality.
- Ranking points: The Open counts toward the International Federation of Traditional Martial Arts (IFTM) world ranking system.
- networking: Over 200 coaches and officials attend the coaches’ symposium,offering mentorship and sponsorship opportunities.
- Media exposure: Participants receive coverage on national TV (VTV3) and digital platforms such as YouTube and TikTok, boosting personal brand visibility.
Practical Tips for Future Competitors
- Pre‑event planning
- Train at least 6 weeks on the specific kata or weapon routine required for your division.
- Attend a local workshop on Vietnamese martial etiquette to avoid cultural missteps.
- Travel logistics
- Book flights to Noi Bai International Airport at least 2 weeks in advance; the event provides a shuttle service to My Dinh Sports complex.
- Secure a Visa‑on‑Arrival (VOA) if you are a citizen of a non‑visa‑exempt country; bring a printed invitation from the organizing committee.
- Equipment checklist
- Certified protective gear (headgear, chest guard, gloves) – mandatory for combat events.
- Traditional uniform (áo dài for women, áo gấm for men) – required for forms and opening ceremony participation.
- Health & safety
- Register with the on‑site medical team; a sports physician conducts a pre‑competition health check.
- Follow COVID‑19 protocols: a negative PCR test within 72 hours of arrival and mandatory mask use in the athletes’ village.
real‑World example: Champion’s Journey
Nguyễn Thị Lan (vietnam) – Gold medalist in Women’s Vovinam (60 kg)
- Training regimen: 5 sessions per week, combining traditional drills, strength conditioning, and mental visualization.
- Competition strategy: Emphasized low‑centered footwork to neutralize opponents’ high‑kicking attacks.
- Outcome: Won three consecutive matches by knockout in the final round, securing Vietnam’s 12th gold medal in combat categories.
| Platform | Reach | Notable Content |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube (Official Channel) | 1.8 M views | Full ceremony livestream, highlight reels |
| TikTok (@hanoimartialarts) | 2.4 M views | 15‑second clips of Lion‑Dragon performance |
| Facebook (Event Page) | 850 K engagements | Photo album of medal ceremonies |
| Local TV (VTV3) | 3 M households | Prime‑time broadcast of finals |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: How can I obtain the official competition schedule?
A: Download the PDF schedule from the event’s website (hanoi-martialarts-open.vn) – updated daily with bout times and venue maps.
Q2: Are there age‑group divisions?
A: Yes.Junior (under 18), Senior (18‑35), and Master (35+) categories are offered for combat and forms.
Q3: What are the prize incentives?
A: Gold medalists receive a cash prize of USD 2,000, a gold trophy, and a scholarship for advanced training at the Vietnam Martial Arts Academy.
- 41st Hanoi Traditional Martial Arts Open – Projected for may 2026 (expected increase to 1,500 competitors).
- ASEAN Martial Arts Championships 2025 – Held in Bangkok, Thailand, in September 2025; invitation extended to top finishers from Hanoi Open.
For more detailed results, athlete bios, and photo galleries, visit the official archive at https://hanoi-martialarts-open.vn/2025/results.
