Chapter I - The Ranks in Vovinam Viet Vo Dao

Article 1. The national and international ranks

The ranks in Vovinam Viet Vo Dao are as follow :

1.1. National ranks : those ranks will be delivered by the local Vovinam Viet Vo Dao authorities within the country where this martial art is implemented, due to the organization of internal exams. The national ranks are valid only within the country where they were assigned. Any other country or any other Vovinam Viet Vo Dao international authority does not recognize them.

1.2. The international ranks : the World Council of Masters and the World Federation of Vovinam Viet Vo Dao recognize those ranks. Therefore, they are valid in any country affiliated with the World Federation of Vovinam Viet Vo Dao.

Article 2. Validation of the ranks   

The World Council of Masters recognizes the international ranks within the 2 following process :

2.1. Direct validation of the ranks : Ranks delivered by an international jury resulting from a world level exam are immediately validated.

2.2. Indirect validation of the ranks :

1. Ranks delivered by a national jury resulting from an exam organized within the country. An official report should be sent to the World Council of Masters for approval.
2. Countries organizing belt exams must comply with all the required conditions within the present International Convention of Ranks.

Article 3. Issuance of international ranks   

3.1. The World Council of Masters is the only authority that has the power to recognize and deliver international ranks.

3.2. All the diploma and certificates for international ranks from red Belt 5th Dang and over require the signature of the General Secretary (the President in the future) of the World Council of Masters and the President of the Vovinam Viet Vo Dao World Federation.

3.3. The World Council of Masters delegates its power to the International Technical Board to control and deliver ranks from 1st Dang to 4th Dang.

3.4. The World Council of Masters delegates its power to the International Exams Board to organize sessions of examination or thesis presentation from 5th Dang.

3.5. The list of the Masters and Black Belts officially recognized by the World Council of Masters is updated and distributed each year to all of the international authorities.

3.6. The international grade types recognized are :

1. Diploma
2. Passport
3. Certificate
4. Yearly list

Article 4. Issuance of the national ranks 

4.1. The World Council of Masters gives total power to each country to issue national ranks.

4.2. Each country must clearly distinguish national and international ranks. All processes and administrative formalities provided by the International Technical Board must be followed accurately.

Article 5. Issuance of honorific ranks  

5.1. Honorific ranks are symbolically delivered to persons who have contributed to the development of Vovinam Viet Vo Dao. Those ranks allow the recipient to wear the Vo Phuc with the corresponding belt, and to participate to all Vovinam Viet Vo Dao activities as a councilor. Those people are not allowed to vote, and cannot be a jury member of a belt exam.

5.2. Honorific ranks consist of two possible cases :

1. Black Belt 1st Dang
2. Red Belt 4th Dang

5.3. National honorific ranks can be attributed to a person by a country subject to approval from the World Council of Masters. The World Council of Masters attributes the international honorific ranks. The countries and members of the World Council of Masters can suggest candidates for those ranks to the World Council of Masters.

Article 6. Issuance of ranks for development needs    

6.1. Ranks for “development needs” are obtained without passing an official exam. Those ranks are reserved to Masters and Instructors who are holding important responsibilities in the development of Vovinam Viet Vo Dao, or are club or newly established regional instructors.

6.2. Those ranks are not permanent. They cannot be used outside of their designated functions. For any other activities, the recipients of those ranks must wear their original belts.

6.3. Every country can attribute those ranks from Black Belt 1st Dang to Red Belt 4th Dang.

6.4. The World Council of Masters is the only authority able to attribute ranks from Red Belt 5th Dang.

Article 7. Respect of the International Convention of Ranks

All the countries that signed the International Convention of Ranks must rigorously apply all the clauses mentioned in it. Any misused of this convention will be severely sanctioned by the International Discipline Board l (the International Discipline Board is formed by the World Council of Masters).

Article 8. Recognition of the Equivalence of the ranks

It is a procedure reserved only for the persons not having been recognized by The World Council of Masters and the World Federation of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao yet. Their recognition has to follow the following procedure :

8.1. Submitting the data and profile of each of the candidates.

8.2. From Red Belt 5th Dang, candidates must bring either the proofs (diploma, certificate) or two witnesses.

Chapter II - Grade System

Article 9. Description

9.1. During the international assembly of the Masters of Vovinam Viet Vo Dao in Houston Texas, USA in May 1998. A 1st update was made during the 6th World Congress in Paris - France on May 04th, 2008. And a 2nd one during the 7th World Congress in Paris - France on May 28th, 2012.
The international ranking system was defined as below :

9.2. The 2 recognized grade systems are: the traditional system of 1964 and the international grade system. Each country should apply the system that fits the best.

Chapter III - Delays for grade exams

Article 10. Medium level grade exam delay requirement  (Trung dang)

10.1. Basic delay : it’s the minimum training to be able to register for the exam..

10.2. Delay for instructors and clubs responsible : this delay is shortened by one year, especially reserved to instructors who ensure the trainings and train personally.

10.3. Delay for special cases : reserved for instructors who ensure trainings and possess exceptional competence for martial art..

10.4. Minimum age to postulate for the rank of 1st DANG : 16 years in the date of examination.

10.5. For promotions, the following cases are valid :

1. Followers from other martial arts who possess a technical level equivalent to Vovinam Viet Vo Dao.
2. Followers in activity who do not have the means or the possibility to pass exams.
3. Followers who have exceptionally contributed to the development of Vovinam Viet Vo Dao.

Article 11. Superior level grade exam delay requirement (Cao dang)

11.1. Minimum delay to defend a thesis : 4 years.

11.2. Special delay : shortened by 2 years, reserved to Masters responsible of a state or province (technical regional Director), or countries (President of the World Council of Masters, President of the National Federation), or having important responsibilities within the international Vovinam Viet Vo Dao authorities panel. Before defending their thesis, the candidate Masters must ask the authorization to the international jury for exams.

11.3. Minimum delay for promotion : 6 years, reserved to Masters who have exceptionally contributed to the development of Vovinam Viet Vo Dao, and do not have the possibility or means to pass their belt exams. The promotions :

1. Are directly proposed by the World Council of Masters.
2. Or are proposed by the National Master Council which will transmit the document to the World Council of Masters.

Chapter V - Programs for belt exams

Article 12. International Jury for exams

12.1. The International examiners Board is the body having the power to organize sessions of international examination or the sessions of theses for the ranks of 5th Red belt and superiors.

12.2. The international technical Board is the body having the power to organize sessions of international examination for the ranks of 1st Dang in 4th Dang.

12.3. All the candidates can register freely for international ranks upon approval of the National Master Council.

12.4. The diploma obtained for an international grade is automatically recognized by all of the national authorities, which will deliver it to the laureate.

Article 13. National Jury for exams

13.1. The World Council of Masters delegates power to the National Council of Masters to organize exams under the following agreements :

1. Respect of all the articles mentioned in the present International Convention of Ranks.
2. Form a jury for belt exam that includes at least 3 members having international diploma.
3. In case a country cannot fill all the necessary conditions, The National Council of masters or/and the national Federation can ask to the World Council of masters to organize an international session in its country.

13.2. From Black Belt 1st Dang to Black Belt 3rd Dang :

1. Maximum of 2 belt exams per year.
2. The president of the jury for belt exam must have at least a Red Belt 4th Dang, and have least 3 (three) ranks superior to the candidate. Other members of the jury have to have least 2 ( two) rank upper to the candidate, according to the following list (board).

   1. Candidate level	Grade to pass	Level of the President of the jury for the belt exam	Level of the other members of the jury for the belt exam
      3rd Cap	1st Dang	4th Dang	2nd Dang
      1st Dang	2nd Dang	4th Dang	3rd Dang
      2nd Dang	3rd Dang	5th Dang	4th Dang

3. The official report for the belt exam as well as the files for all candidates must be sent to the World Council of Masters to be recognized.

13.3. From Red Belt 4th Dang :

1. Maximum of 1 belt exam per year.
2. The President of the jury for belt exam must have at least 2 ranks higher than the candidate, the other member of the jury must have at least 1 grade higher than the candidate, as listed :

   1. Candidate level	Grade to pass	Level of the President of the jury for the belt exam	Level of the other members of the jury for the belt exam
      3rd Dang	4th Dang	5th Dang	4th Dang
      4th Dang	5th Dang	6th Dang	5th Dang
      5th Dang	6th Dang	7th Dang	6th Dang
      6th Dang	7th Dang	8th Dang	7th Dang
      7th Dang	8th Dang	9th Dang	8th Dang
      8th Dang	9th Dang	10th Dang	9th Dang
      9th Dang	10th Dang	World Council of Masters	World Council of Masters

3. 3 months prior to the belt exam, the National Master Council must ask to the World Council of Masters authorization to organize the belt exam. The official report of the results for the belt exam, the thesis (5 copies), and the files for the candidates must be sent to the World Council of Masters.
4. The World Council of Masters can send 1 or more international Masters to participate and control the belt exam.

Chapter VI - Disciplinary measures and appeals

Article 14. Technical exam – Thesis and Master defense

The program for belt exam consists of 2 parts :

14.1. Technical exam: reserved for Black Belt 1st Dang to Red Belt 4th Dang.

14.2. Master and thesis defense or technical presentation: reserved for Red Belt 5th Dang and higher.

Article 15. Technical program

15.1. The national program for belt exam must be based on the international program for belt exam published by the World Council of Masters.

15.2. In the case of a specific national program, this latter must be presented to the World Council of Masters to be recognized.

15.3. In addition, the difference between the national and international programs must be less than 20%.

15.4. In the case where the international program is not yet published (being still updated), the national program must be sent to the World Council of Masters 3 months prior to the belt exam.

Article 16. Master, thesis and technical presentation for higher level (Cao dang)

Candidates for higher levels, starting from Red Belt 5th Dang, who want to defend their master, thesis or do a technical presentation must observe the following procedures :

16.1. The subjects of the masters and thesis must absolutely not have themes related to politic, religion, racism, and violence or criticize any individual or organization.

16.2. The candidate can utilize the language of the country that he/she belongs to.

16.3. If necessary, the candidate must bring a translator.

16.4. The candidate must be sent to the World Council of Masters at least 5 copies of the master or thesis.

Article 17. Master Memory

17.1. Any document with less than 50 pages (A4 format, 10 points font) is considered as a master Memory, or any other document designated by the candidate.

17.2. Rules for master thesis defense :

1. The master must be sent to a jury for belt exam 2 months prior to the defense.
2. In exceptional circumstances, the candidate absents at the defense can be represented by another Master.
3. The jury of the belt exam must be conformed of all the articles of chapter 4: Organization of the belt exams.

Article 18. Thesis

18.1. Any document equivalent to a PhD thesis with more than 50 pages (A4 format, 10 points font) is considered as a thesis, or any other document designated by the candidate.

18.2. Rules for thesis defense :

1. The candidate must be present at the defense.
2. The candidate must have a thesis advisor who can be a Master or any civilian. 
3. The jury for the belt exam must be composed of at least 3 members. Experts or specialists can advise the jury on their respective qualifications.

18.3. The ranks for the thesis can be: acceptable (D), fairly good (C), very good (B), excellent (A) with the examining board’s utmost praise.

Article 19. Technical presentation

19.1. The candidates must present their techniques under one of the following :

1. Direct presentation : execution of techniques in front of the jury.
2. Indirect presentation : presentation with the aide of pictures or video film in front of the jury.

19.2. Rules for technical presentation :

1. The scenario for the technical presentation must be submitted to the jury of the belt exam 3 months prior to the exam.
2. The candidate must be physically present.
3. Candidate cannot be absent the day of the exam, unless exceptional reasons.

Chapter VII - Administration – maintenance of the International Convention of Ranks

Article 20. Disciplinary sanctions

20.1. Concerning the candidate :

• Warning.
• Un-authorization to register to any belt exam for duration from 1 to 10 years.
• Downgrade.
• Expel from Vovinam Viet Vo Dao.

20.2. Concerning the country or the local comity :

• Warning.
• Suspension of the authorization to organize belt exams for several years.
• Un-authorization to organize belt exam until further notice.
• Expel from the Vovinam Viet Vo Dao World Federation.

Article 21. International disciplinary Board

21.1. Each Master, country or local comity has the right to sue the international Disciplinary Board.

21.2. The International Disciplinary Board must apply the following procedure :

1. Examine the file of complaint and decide to follow up or not.
2. Constitute the disciplinary Commission to review the plaints.
3. Inform the interested parties and organize the judgments.

21.3. Any person or organism condemned by the International Disciplinary Board can appeal to the World Council of Masters.

21.4. The World Council of Masters will announce the outcome of the judgment and all the members must apply them rigorously.

Article 22. National disciplinary measures

22.1. Every country can formed its own disciplinary Commission to treat plaints concerning Black Belts 1st Dang and Red Belt 4th Dang. The official reports on the judgments must be sent to the World Council of Masters.

22.2. If the condemned person does not appeal the decision to the international Commission of control within 3 months, the World Council of Masters will inform all the countries of the disciplinary action.

22.3. If the condemned person does appeal the decision, the international disciplinary Commission will perform the judgment.

22.4. If the plaints are towards a Master with a Red Belt 5th Dang or higher, the country must inform the international Commission for control which will take over the file. The national disciplinary Commission cannot be created without the explicit approval of the international Commission of control.

22.5. If the international Commission of control judges the plaint as not valid, no disciplinary action can be applied towards the Vo Sinh in his/her country of origin.

Chapitre VII - Administration – Mise à jour de la Convention Internationale

Article 23. Administration – Procedure – Release form - File

The International Technical Board explains all the articles of the mentioned International Convention of Ranks in a detailed manner in release forms.

Article 24. Maintenance of the International Convention of Ranks

24.1. All the Masters, all the international organizations, all the countries and all the local comities can make some suggestions to improve the Convention.

24.2. All the suggestions must be sent to the World Council of Masters at least 2 months prior to the opening date of the annual meeting.

24.3. Rules :

1. The vote is done with secret ballots.
2. The majority consists of 2/3.
3. Every Master has a voice.
4. Vote by proxy is accepted.

Article 25. Application   
25.1. The International Convention of Ranks comprises 7 chapters and 25 articles. The International Assembly of Masters on 08/19/2000 in Los Angeles, California, USA, approved it. It is updated during the 6th World Congress in Paris - France on May 04th, 2008. And the 2nd during the 7th World Congress in Paris - France on May 28th, 2012.

25.2. All the ranks and agreements existing prior to the Convention are recognized.

25.3. This International Convention of Ranks supersedes and replaces all previous conventions.