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Introduction 

Dear masters, members of the World Council of Masters, 

As President of the International Technical Board, I have the honor to propose improvements to the Vovinam-VVD 1st level saber techniques [¹]. Currently, according to the international training program, the 1st level saber techniques are taught as follows: 

-        1st Dang Black Belt level: Quyen Luong Nghi Kiem Phap and counter-attack techniques from N°1 to N°7. 

-         2nd Dang Black Belt level: Song Luyen Kiem and counter-attack techniques from N°8 to N°15. 

The remaining four saber technical levels are reserved for masters, especially for those masters who wish to specialize and become a "saber master". These saber techniques are part of our heritage and unique strength compared to other martial arts in the world, because we have been able to preserve the authenticity and substance without drifting towards the spectacular or the demonstrative aspects. 

Currently in Vovinam-VVĐ (2022) worldwide, to my knowledge, there are only a hand-full of masters who still have the knowledge of the five levels of saber techniques!

Twenty-four years ago, in 1998, at the 3rd World Congress held in Houston, Texas, USA, I submitted my second-degree red belt thesis with the aims of developing and preserving these saber techniques. I think it is time now to turn this knowledge into a book so that this Crown-Jewel of our Vovinam martial art can be preserved and advanced over time. 

However, there is an important issue that has persisted for more than 70 years: our 1st level saber techniques have several deficiencies: inconsistency and contradiction between the 3 foundational elements that compose it: Quyen Luong Nghi Kiem Phap, Song Luyen Kiem and 15 counter-attack saber techniques. In the past, I was aware of these issues, but being still young, not sufficiently qualified and in a position to submit a change proposal. 

Today, as President of the International Technical Board, I think it's time to propose this Saber reform proposal to embed the logic, synergy and consistency between the 3 foundational elements that make up the 1st level saber program. Then publish them officially in a book that will serve as an important reference. 

Analysis 

The 1st level saber techniques have the following main shortcomings: 

1.Incompleteness: 

-        In the current training program, there is a complete lack of basic saber techniques such as: guards, attack and blocking techniques. These are foundational techniques that must be taught before practicing the Saber Quyen, the Saber Song Luyen or the 15 counter-attack saber techniques. It's like we don't learn the basic techniques such as punches, kicks, parries, elbows, knees... before learning Khai Mon Quyen, Long Ho Quyen, the Song Luyen, the counterattacks, etc. 

-        Furthermore, the necessary basic saber knowledge wasn’t taught: the ways of holding the saber or the use of the saber when standing, sitting, pivoting backwards... Or the types of sabers or their characteristics (size, length, thickness, weight, curved saber, straight saber, single-or double-edged saber...). 

2.Excessive Repetition: 

Currently, in Saber Quyen, there are 78 techniques, including 36 "saber slash" techniques, which represents nearly 50% of Quyen. Below is the detailed analysis: 

-        26 saber slash techniques from bottom to top: 33.3%, more than a third of the Quyen, 

-        10 saber slash techniques from top to bottom: 12.8%,

(Including a total of 36 techniques, representing 46.1% of Quyen). 

-        11 horizontal slash techniques, 

-        4 vertical slash techniques,

-        4 45°slash techniques (including 2 from bottom to top and 2 from top to bottom), 

-        7 stab techniques (3 straight strike techniques, 2 vertical strikes from top to bottom, 1 vertical strike from bottom to top and 1 horizontal strike), 

-        15 blocks,

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Dear Masters, Instructors, Leaders and Practitioners,

The year 2022 is a very special year for Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao because there will be two significant events organize at the same time, namely: the 9th World Congress of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao and the 6th World Cup which will take place in Paris from July 20 to 23, 2022.

This year marks 62 years since the death of our Founding Master Nguyen Loc in 1960, that year was a year of great mourning for Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao, and that day has become the "Foundation Day".

The year 1960 also marked the beginning of the change and transformation of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao, which went from a few humble clubs to become a major discipline of the Vietnamese martial art with the establishment of the 1st Council of Masters and an organization structure as a national federation level in 1964. Since then, the administration of our martial art was developed such as: identify, logo, teaching program, examination program, philosophy stream, grading system, crest... Which have become spearheads throughout history as a springboard for development and advancement of all Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao movements around the world.

Among the great masters, members of the first Council of Masters of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao in 1964, those who contributed to building the foundations "through time" mentioned above, many have died, but fortunately, there are a few masters still alive, and of these, two have continued to participate actively and consistently over the past 62 years. They are the two great grandmasters Nguyen Van Cuong and Ngo Huu Lien.

This year 2022 congress, the presence and participation of our two great grandmasters becomes even more special than ever. However, the two grandmasters expressed their wishes to relinquish all responsibilities within our world organization, including symbolic responsibilities as they have had for many years, and simply remain as a member only.

This is not the first time that our two great grandmasters have mentioned of this intention. It was expressed several times at previous congresses (2008, 2012, 2016), but I managed to convince them to continue to assume symbolic functions within our world organization, because it is necessary to have spiritual and intellectual support for the practitioners around the world as well as for our masters and leaders.

In any organization, there is always a need for spiritual symbols that embody the ancestral tradition. At the "root" level, the two great grandmasters symbolize the link between the founding master Nguyen Loc and us. On the "institution" level, the two great grandmasters represent the extension of the first Council of Masters Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao in 1964 to the World Council of Masters and the World Federation of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao today. And on the "legitimacy" level, the two great grandmasters are concrete, irrefutable and living proof of the authenticity of the Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao, thus allowing us to be proud and to continue to develop our ideal and the culture of Vietnamese martial arts all over the world

Unfortunately, for the world congress this year, I can no longer convince them! Simply because our two great grandmasters are now very old, health inhibiting them, and our organization must move forward with "a new symbolic leadership" while benefiting from the advice and guidance of our two great grandmasters. It is for this reason that the 2022 Congress, which is already special, is even more special because it is also about the "transition" of the two highest leadership positions of our international organization, namely: the President of the Supreme Council of Masters and the President of the World Council of Masters

My dear masters and practitioners, man and all living things obey the same law: Birth, Aging, Sickness and Death, so nothing is permanent. Founding master Nguyen Loc created and directed Vovinam for 22 years (1938-1960), our two patriarchs master Tran Huy Phong and Le Sang also contributed 43 and 56 years respectively. And our two great grandmasters, Nguyen Van Cuong and Ngo Huu Lien, have contributed continuously for 62 years, a contribution that spans more than half a century, that is, a lifetime and over many of generations.

We are recent generations, not having been trained by the Founding Master Nguyen Loc and not being part of those who contributed to the creation of "the spearheads of history" like our two great grandmasters, but we are seeking advice and guided by them so that Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao can continue to develop and advance all over the world.

For 62 years, the decisive and fundamental contributions did not give the two great grandmasters more fame, power or wealth, but on the contrary, they endured much jealousy and criticism as well as financial expenditure. So why did they do this? And for whom? Is it for the ideal of Vietnamese martial arts culture in general and for Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao in particular, as well as for all generations of practitioner’s past, presence and future? It is a noble and life-time contribution that we recognize and pay: 

-      Tribute to Grandmaster Nguyen Van Cuong; and

-      Tribute to Grand Master Ngo Huu Lien.

On this very special occasion, I would like to express the greatest gratitude to the two great grandmasters. They are shining examples for all of us to follow. They embody virtue, spirit and "the true man" according to the philosophy of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao. The two grand-masters are dedicated men, imbued with the spirit of "Vietnamese martial arts", who have perfectly demonstrated the key principle of Viet Vo Dao: "Live, let others live and Live for others". The life of our two great grandmasters is simple, pure, selfless and always at the service of the common good. They represent torches with a spirit of initiative and commitment, courage, perseverance, the will to assume one’s responsibilities, never backing down in the face of difficulties or challenges. Towards society, our two grandmasters are scholars, intellectuals, competent and renowned. Thanks to them, Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao has achieved such great results today.

Paris on July 01, 2022.  

Grand Master Tran Nguyen Dao

Grand master Ngo Huu Lien

• Supreme white belt.
• Direct disciple of the Master Founder Nguyen Loc.
• Founding member of the 1st Council of Masters of Vovinam-VVD in 1964.
• President of the World Federation of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao (1996-2000).
• Member of the World Council of Masters (2000- 2012)
• President of the Supreme Council of Masters (2012-2016, 2016-2022).
• Founding member of Vovinam-VVD Texas, USA

Master Ngo Huu Lien was born in 1937 in My Do, Bac Giang, North Vietnam. He started Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao in 1955, at the age of 18, with the Founding Master at the “Thu Khoa Huan” Training Center in Saigon, the first Vovinam center in southern Vietnam. 

Currently, he is one of the highest-ranking masters of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao, a founding member of the 1st Council of Masters of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao in Vietnam in 1964, after the death of Founding Master Nguyen Loc. 

At the beginning of the year 1964, master Ngo Huu Lien and the masters at the time: Le Sang, Tran Huy Phong, Manh Hoang, Nguyen Van Thu, Phan Quynh, Tran Ban Que, Nguyen Van Cuong, Nguyen Van Thong… had developed a proposal and created a program in order to institutionalize Vovinam Viet Vo Dao. They had founded the first Council of Masters as the central organization of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao. Master Le Sang had been elected to the position of Patriarch, Master Tran Huy Phong was the second important figure of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao and Master Ngo Huu Lien was the president of the Legal Commission. 

 In the years 1964-1975, Master Ngo Huu Lien successively held the positions: Coordinator, Secretary General of the Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao Federation, member of the Viet Vo Dao Youth Federation... and participated in teaching at the Vovinam training centers in Saigon – Cho Lon. He provided training at the school for National Police officers with Master Nguyen Van Vang as his assistant. He led the courses at the 8th District Police Center with Master Vu Kim Trọng as his assistant. In addition, he actively participated in the training sessions of the masters of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao organized every year.

Apart from the activities of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao, Master Ngo Huu Lien was very active in charitable activities through the creation of educational centers for the general public which aimed to provide free or low-cost courses to prepare high school students to pass their matriculation exams and at the same time to teach the techniques of self-defense of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao with colleges: Manh Hoang, Tran Huy Phong, Hoang Quan, Dinh Duc Mau, Nguyen Van Cuong, Phan Quynh, Nguyen Xuan Thieu, Mai Trung Hoa....

As a law graduate, he joined the Saigon Barrister in 1962. A few years later, because of the Vietnam war, he was called up for services. Coming from the 17^th cohort of the School of Reserve Officers of Thu Duc and the 10th cohort of the Higher School of Administration and Finance Officers of the Armies of the Republic of Vietnam, he held the position of Lecturer in finance and administration at this military school.

At the end of 1968, he was seconded to the Ministry of Education, Culture and Youth, first as an inspector and then chief inspector of the Youth Administration of the Republic of South Vietnam until 1975. 

In 1975, when the Vietnam war ended, he migrated to the United States of America with his family and settled in Texas to this day.

Shortly after his arrival in the United States, he immediately began to promote Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao with masters Nguyen The Hung, Vo Trung, Vo Thanh Long, Nguyễn Văn Do, Nguyễn Chinh, Bui Khac Hung, Le Huy Chuong, Nguyen Van Luong ... to establish the Vovinam-VVD Texas in 1980. Initially, he held the position of President of the Board then President of the Council of Masters of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao Texas for many years then he left this position to young masters to continue to promote Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao in Texas in particular and in the world in general. 

In 1995, in response to the appeal of master patriarch Tran Huy Phong, master Ngo Huu Lien and the masters of the former Council of Masters in 1964, issued on September 16, 1995, the declaration of the official establishment of the Provisional Council of Masters abroad. This council was the precursor of the World Council of Masters and the World Federation of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao, created during the 2nd World Congress in 1996 in Paris. He was elected to the position of President of the World Federation of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao (the first president for the term 1996-2000), and was elected for several consecutive terms as a member of the permanent bureau of the World Council of Masters, of the Supreme Council of Masters. In 2012, he was elected President of the Supreme Council of Masters, term 2012-2016 and 2016-2022.

Grand master Nguyen Van Cuong

• White Belt of President of the World Council of Masters.
• Direct disciple of the founding master Nguyen Loc.
• Founding member of the 1st Council of Vovinam-VVD Masters in 1964.
• Secretary General of the World Council of Masters of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao, 2 terms: 1996-2000 and 2000-2004.
• Member of the World Council of Masters (2004-2008, 2012-2016).
• President of the Supreme Council of Masters (2008-2012).
• President of the World Council of Masters (2016-2022)

Grandmaster Nguyen Van Cuong is one of the highest-ranking masters of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao, founding member of the Central Direction and of the 1st Council of Masters Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao in 1964, Secretary General of the World Council of Masters for two terms (1996-2004), President of the Supreme Council of Masters for the term 2008-2012 and in 2016 he held the position of President of the World Council of Masters Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao until this day.

Grandmaster Nguyen Van Cuong was born in 1938 in Hanoi, northern Vietnam, to a modest family with a tradition of Western medication for many generations. 

In 1954, his family migrated to the South of Vietnam. He attended LaSan Taberd, Ho Ngoc Can (baccalaureate I) and Chu Van An (baccalaureate 2) high schools, then graduated in law and arts from the University of Saigon. 

In 1966, he graduated from the National School of Administration, 11th cohort. A few months later, because of the war, he was called up for services. Coming from the 23rd cohort of the School of Reserve Officers of Thu Duc. In 1967/1968, he was appointed deputy prefect of Di Linh district, then in 1972, he became deputy governor of Lam Dong province until April 1975.

After two years in prison (brainwashing center) due to political regime change in Vietnam, he escaped from prison in 1976 and crossed the Thailand border then moved to the United States (Oklahoma) in 1977 until this day. 

Grandmaster Nguyen Van Cuong started Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao in 1956 through his friend, Master Tran Huy Phong. He trained with the founding master Nguyen Loc at the "Thu Khoa Huan" club, Aviateur Garros street in Saigon, and since then he has become one of the pillars of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao. In 1964, with the great masters at the time, he created the 1st Council of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao Masters and legalized Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao in the form of a national federation. He holds the position of Treasurer of the Central Directorate with the rank of Red Belt 4th Dang.

In 1990, on the occasion of the first world congress of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao in California in the United States, he became a founding member of the International Federation of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao and chaired the Consultative Commission of this federation

In 1995, in response to the appeal of master patriarch Tran Huy Phong, master Nguyen Van Cuong and the masters of the former Council of Masters in 1964, published on September 16, 1995, the declaration of the official establishment of the Provisional Council of Masters abroad. This council was the precursor of the World Council of Masters and the World Federation of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao, created during the 2nd World Congress in 1996 in Paris.

During this 2nd World Congress, having obtained the confidence of the masters present, he was elected to the position of Secretary General of the World Council of Masters of Vovinam-VVD for two consecutive terms (1996-2004). Subsequently, he continued to hold many key positions and especially in 2016, on the occasion of the 8th World Congress in California-USA, the congress entrusted him with the highest responsibility of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao: Chairman of the Council Mondial des Maîtres, a position that replaced that of Patriarch in our school.

From the function of Patriarch to the

Function of President of the World Council of Masters 

(1)   From the time when Master Founder Nguyen Loc established Vovinam in 1938 until his death in 1960, the post of Patriarch did not exist and his title is simply Founder of Vovinam 

(2)   4 years after the death of the Founding Master Nguyen Loc, in 1964, the first Council of Masters of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao created the function of Patriarch and master Le Sang was elected to this post. 

(3)   In 1986, Master Le Sang passed on the title of Patriarch to Master Tran Huy Phong. But in 1990, master Tran Huy Phong retransmitted it to master Le Sang. 

(4)   In 1996, on the occasion of the 2nd World Congress, which was held in Paris for the creation of the World Council of Masters and the World Federation of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao, the congress voted to repeal the function of Patriarch to replace him with the function of President of the World Council of Masters. But this position is left vacant because the Congress still recognizes the title of Patriarch to Master Le Sang until the day of his death. In 2002, during Master Le Sang visit to the United States, during an extraordinary meeting of the World Council of Masters, Master Le Sang was officially installed as President of the World Council of Masters (see photo below). 

(5)   In 2004, Master Le Sang resigned from the position of President of the World Council of Masters due to the exceptional circumstances in Vietnam. The World Council of Masters has elected master Nguyen Dan (brother of Founding Master Nguyen Loc) to temporarily replace him as acting President, as Grandmaster Le Sang is still alive. In 2010, after the death of master Le Sang, master Nguyen Dan officially assumed the position of President of the World Council of Masters and since that date, this function has officially replaced the function of Patriarch of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao. 

(6)   In 2016, after the death of Master Nguyen Dan, on the occasion of the 8th World Congress, held in California, United States, the Congress elected Master Nguyen Van Cuong as President of the World Council of Masters and he has always assumed this high responsibility to this day