INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF MARTIAL ARTS IN VIETNAM

NGUYEN KINH DOANH
KIENANDO AND OTHER DELEGATES   PHOTO CREDIT: DAO TIEN DAT

Master Nguyen Van Thanh Nhan  (second from right) was given flowers

International Festival of Martial Arts in Vietnam.   Kienando Team Chief of Delegation: Nguyen Van Thanh Nhan (front row on the right)

     On August 5, 2006, there are over 500 martial arts students, Masters, and Grand Masters from 35 nations and 21 branches of school of martial arts in Vietnam gathering at Quy Nhon Auditorium to attend the commencement of the 1^st International Festival of Martial Arts in Vietnam.

     Provincial Chief Nguyen Xuan Duong and many high ranking officials were there together with numerous distinguished guests.  Mrs. Nguyen Thi Binh, Provincial Vice Chief cheerfully announces, “The Festival is the opportunity for all of us to meet, to exchange experiences, and tighten the friendship among martial arts students as well as branches in order to make contributions to national culture and expand classical Vietnamese martial arts.”  

                                        MASTER HUYNH THANH PHONG, CHIEF INSTRUCTOR OF
                                    INTERNATIONAL KIENANDO DEMONSTRATES BREAKING BRICKS  

Nguyen Lam Hung Anh Seven years old, youngest                                   Martial Artist in Kienando

Kienando Demonstration of external and internal power

Professor Ly Hoang Tung, President of World Martial Arts Association, who has been away  from Vietnam for many years, is  happy to participate in the event.  He mentions Binh Dinh was the martial arts land where many of his friends were born and grown up.  Professor Tung emphasizes that even he was in the United States but he has always focused to the native country.  Binh Dinh Grand Masters of Martial Arts:  Phan Tho, Ngo Bong, Tran Dan…are very satisfied with the international festival of martial arts.  Grand Master Phan Tho commends, “You have to see the demonstrations to know how excellent our martial arts are.” Kienando Demonstration
 

Nguyen Lam Truong with scimitar

Sword champion Nguyen Lam DieuVan

                                                                  OF THE 1^ST INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF MARTIAL ARTS.

     Grand Master  Nguyen Lam, Founder of Kienando Kungfu Vietnam, went to Vietnam from the United States specially for the Festival with two of his students.  One is Lynelle Millitate, who was awarded Honorary Gold Medal in March 2006 after competing at Wushu-Kungfu demonstration in Irvine.

 
Three female champions:  From left:
Nguyen Lam Anh Xuan, Nguyen Lam Lynelle,
and Nguyen Lam Dieu Van
 
  
Lynelle Millitate
 

She demonstrated three katas at the Festival and the auditorium was applauded at length.  Grand Master Nguyen Lam, after observing the commencement says,  “I am very excited to see battle drums sounding and other demonstrations at the opening.  Right at this holy and precious land, these have signified martial arts spirits of not only Binh Dinh but also all Vietnamese people.”

In another interview, she strongly voiced her enthusiasm and views on the martial art of kienando:

  ”I LOVE VIETNAMESE SCENERIES AND VIETNAMESE PEOPLE.  I STUDIED KIENANDO KUNGFU AT CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY AT NORTHRIDGE WHERE I GOT MY BACHELOR’S DEGREE.  I LIKE KIENANDO MARTIAL ARTS BECAUSE THERE IS A COMBINATION OF STRENGTH AND WILL.  IT INCREASES MY ENERGY AND SELF-CONFIDENCE.  RIGHT NOW I AM IN GRADUATE SCHOOL, HOWEVER, I TRY TO BE A HIGH RANKING INSTRUCTOR WITH THE HOPE THAT I SHALL BE ABLE TO OPEN A DOJO IN THE USA.  I AM SO IMPRESSED ABOUT THE FRIENDLINESS OF VIETNAMESE PEOPLE.  VIETNAMESE FOOD IS DELICIOUS, ESPECIALLY EGG ROLLS.  DURING MY DAYS AT BINH DINH, I SHALL GO TO THE BEACH AND VISIT THE CITY.”

     Organizing Committee for the 1^st International Festival of Martial Arts in Vietnam includes Professor Phuong Tan, Editor of Martial Arts magazine in Saigon and Martial Arts Master  Ho Hoa Hue.

NGUYEN KINH DOANH

AUGUST 2006