Organized by the World Federation of of Viet Nam Vocotruyen (WFVV), the event is expected to bring together more than 500 coaches and athletes from 29 countries, competing in 378 categories in martial arts performances and combat events for different age groups.
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Martial artists perform in a mass demonstration at the opening ceremony of the first Ho Chi Minh City International Traditional Martial Arts Championship and the 19th Ho Chi Minh City Open Traditional Martial Arts Festival on July 23, 2026. |
The program will also feature training and upgrading courses for international traditional martial arts referees, professional exchanges, cultural activities, and networking among Vietnamese traditional martial arts organizations, martial arts schools, coaches and athletes from around the world.
Notably, the second WFVV General Assembly will be held as part of the programme to review the federation’s first-term performance, discuss organizational, personnel and professional matters, finalise its charter and regulations, and set development orientations for Vietnamese traditional martial arts internationally in the next period.
The assembly will also provide a forum for members to discuss the development of the movement, professional training, the building of coaching and refereeing teams, improving the quality of competitions, and strengthening connections among Vietnamese traditional martial arts organizations worldwide.
The Vietnamese traditional martial arts delegation to the event will be led by Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Anh, President of the Viet Nam Federation of Traditional Martial Arts. It comprises 83 managers, referees, coaches and athletes, including 40 athletes selected from those who have achieved outstanding results at domestic and international competitions.
The event offers Vietnamese athletes an opportunity to improve their professional skills, gain competition experience and interact with Vietnamese traditional martial arts communities and international athletes from different countries.
Promoting Vietnamese martial arts as a tool of cultural diplomacy was identified in Decision No.2013/QD-TTg dated November 30, 2021, approving the Cultural Diplomacy Strategy through 2030, which calls for developing a project to promote the arts and using them to enhance the image of Viet Nam.
This orientation was further reflected in Politburo Resolution No.80-NQ/TW dated January 7, 2026, which emphasizes promoting Vietnamese cultural values in international integration, expanding cultural and martial arts club models overseas, organizing international events, and intensifying communication and promotion of Viet Nam’s image.
Through competitions, demonstrations, cultural exchanges and promotional activities, the Italy event is expected to introduce the distinctive values of Vietnamese traditional martial arts to international audiences while promoting Viet Nam’s land, people and culture. It will also contribute to people-to-people exchanges, mutual understanding between Viet Nam and international partners, and broader cooperation and the international presence of Vietnamese culture.
Source: VNA