Martial Arts in Vietnam

[KhorneliusPraxx]

When thinking about asian martial arts, one thinks about Japan, Okinawa, China, Tailand, and the Philippine Islands. My question is: Is there any martial art originating in Vietnam? If none were originated, were any adopted from other areas?

[matzahbal]

Yeah. There is a vietnamese versions of Kung Fu...I forget the names the names and can't seem to fine the website... I think it might be called Seven Mountains or something to that extent, but they trace their lineage to monks that traveled from the Shaolin Temples to spread buddhism and apperaently kung fu. Ever you ever watch "Full Metal Jacket" you'll see a quick demo after a mugger steals the camera from the service men stationed in Vietnam, it's around the "me so horny" seen. Another example is if ever watch "Gleaming the cube" (old school christian slater movie), you'll see a demostration of it in the background of one of the seens, the instructor in it is the guys webpage I've read, but again I can't seem to find it.

[matzahbal]

Never mind... i found it http://www.sevenmountainskungfu.com/

[LLL]

Thieu Lam - Vietnamese version of Shaolin Kung Fu
Viet Vo Dao / Vovinam - Modern MA combinations (but still about as old as say TKD)
& there's a Vietnamese equivalent of Thai Boxing but I don't know what it's called.

[Freddy]

Not much is known about Vietnamese martial arts. As LLL said there they have both kung fu like arts and kickboxing type of arts. Some hybreds of both. I do have a Vietnamese martial art book. Its quite interesting. It appears to be something akin to to shoatakan karate and Baiji with its low stances with Southern Chinese hand striking techniques. The stances are very very low.
Another book I have is a Vietnames form of Judo. Its a really good book. It seem to be combat oriented. They have decent defenses against knives etc.
I wonder if there are any wrestling types of arts?

[Miguksaram]

I was taught Vovinam back in 1982 by my friend's uncle. It was a family version of what appeared to be similar to that of Shaolin Kungfu. I practiced it up until I moved from there in 1984. We didn't have forms, or at least he never taught them to us. It consisted of him teaching us 1 or 2 techniques during class, applications of the techniques, variations of the techniques and then having us sparring with him or his son (who was his top student), and told to use the technique we just learned. Very painful but great memories of working with him. I was never taught any history about it. So I can't help you there. We also didn't have any ranks either. It was just myself, my friends Thien & Nghyen (his nephews), Tao (his daughter), Lam (his son) and Uncle Vin (the teacher).

[Hedgehogey]

That school looks like chinese.

Vietnam has many styles.

Vo Tu Do: (vaw too yaw) Like muay thai except a lot more elbows
Vo tay son/vo binh dinh: central mountains style, lots of elbows
Ki cong nu thuat: Grappling style
Ho ba chun: tiger with crippled leg, based on diagonal movements
Kim ke: golden cock style, from man with same name, based on bird like movements
vovinam and cuong nhu: recent "eclectic" POS styles
Do vhat: vietnamese wrestling in water

I studied at a vietnamese school and can answer any questions.

[Freddy]

Interesting!

[DaveH]

Freddy..

Repeat after me

I will search google before making an ass of myself..

Clich here for the history of Viet vo dao

[Hedgehogey]

**** vovinam/vietvodao. It's the equivalent of TKD, just a mcdojo art wattered down from other countries arts.