From 1802 to 1884. the Nguyễn organized seventy- four exams at various levels. A total of 3.893 candidates succeeded in both scholarly and martial arts exams. The formal martial arts examinations in Việt Nam ended in 1880. after the French had consolidated their control over Việt Nam. However, the martial arts spirit and practice of the masses continued lo develop in resistance lo French rule.
What are the schools of Vietnamese martial arts?
There are many schools of martial arts in Việt Nam. They can be classified into four major groups: Bắc Hà (north). Bình Đinh (central). Nam Bộ (south), and schools of Chinese origin. In addition, more and more people in other countries practise Vietnamese martial arts. This section will deal mainly with the first three types and mention examples of Vietnamese martial arts overseas.
The Bác Hà Group in northern Việt Nam. The Bắc Hà schools of martial arts first developed in northern Việt Nam, though their influence later spread to other parts of the country. They include
Liễu Đôi wrestling, Việt Võ Đạo, Nhất Nam, and Nam Hồng Sơn, as well as modern adaptations of these older traditions.
Traditional wrestling is a very popular form of martial arts in northern Việt Nam. Many villages hold wrestling tournaments at spring festivals. Wrestling has a long tradition. Wrestlers from Bắc Ninh and Bắc Giang Provinces joined the insurrection led by the Trưng Sisters to fight the Chinese occupation in 40 A.D.
Hà Nội and Its environs are known as the cradle of traditional martial arts. In the past, many practitioners from the area passed difficult examinations in martial arts. Many martial arts families continued to hand these skills secretly to their children after 1880. when the martial arts examination was abolished.
The Nhất Nam School has the longest history of all the Vietnamese traditional martial arts schools. It started in Thanh Hóa and Nghệ An Provinces. Nguyễn Tam Chinh, the founder of traditional wrestling in Việt Nam. came from this region. Other famous generals from the region are Lady Triệu (225-248) and Dương Đình Nghệ (?- 938). who fought against Chinese invaders. In its three wars against the Mongols (1258, 1285. and 1288). the Trần Dynasty (1225-1400) relied mainly on 100.000 soldiers from Thanh Hóa and Nghê An. Many senior martial artists who served under the Posterior Lê Dvnasty (fifteenth to seventeenth centuries) came from this region.
The Nam Hồng Sơn School was founded by Master Nguyễn Văn Tộ. He was born in 1895 in Thường Tin District. Hà Tây Province. When he was very voung, Nguvẻn Vãn To trained 111 traditional martial arts at the Nguyen Court. He later studied the techniques of Chinese sects and borrowed from them to perfect his own school. The Nam Hồng Sơn School is the smooth and flexible combination of both Vietnamese and Chinese martial arts traditions.
In 1938. Master Nguyễn Lộc. a native of Sơn Tày. started a new school of Vietnamese martial arts.