Martial Foundations
The building blocks of Vovinam: proper stances, striking mechanics, blocking, falling safely, and the conditioning that makes everything else possible.
WHAT WE TEACH, STEP BY STEP
Curriculum
BELT SYSTEM
Through the Ranks
Students progress through four belt tiers — blue, yellow, red, and the singular white — each
building on technical skill, physical conditioning, and understanding of Vovinam philosophy. Tap a
rank below to see its title.
Blue Belt
An Ocean of Promise
Blue represents hope and the
beginning of the journey.
Students build Vovinam’s
technical foundation while
developing coordination,
endurance, flexibility, discipline,
and control.
Light Blue Belt — Beginner
Yellow Belt
Taking Root
Yellow represents earth and
the art taking root within the
practitioner. Training
becomes more advanced, with
greater focus on precision,
weapons, teaching, and
responsibility.
Yellow Belt — Assistant Instructor
Red Belt
From Sparks to a Flame
Red represents blood, fire, and
deep commitment to Vovinam.
Masters refine technique beyond
memorization, developing
greater efficiency, judgment,
leadership, and the ability to
guide others.
Red Belt — Junior Master
White Belt
A Blinding Eclipse
White represents purity and
complete devotion to the art.
Reserved for the highest
leadership, it symbolizes lifelong
knowledge, wisdom, and
responsibility for preserving
Vovinam Việt Võ Đạo.
White Belt — Grandmaster / Council Head
TRAINING FOCUS
One Art, Many Expressions
Our program brings seven areas of practice into one path. Students grow through them, developing a deeper understanding of Vovinam with each step. Together, they shape how we respond to difficult situations, the care we show for others, and the purpose that lies beyond our strength.
Self Defense
Practical answers to real threats — escaping chokes, grabs, and strangles with techniques built for close range and no warning.
Offensive Techniques
Turning defense into initiative: counters, combinations, and leg attacks that close the gap and take control of an exchange.
Vovinam Style Wrestling
Vovinam's grappling tradition — takedowns, throws, and clinch control drawn from the art's own wrestling lineage.
Forms (Single and Dueling)
Solo and two-person forms that preserve technique, rhythm, and lineage — training precision that carries into everything else.
Sparring
Live, controlled exchanges that put every other focus area to the test — reading distance and timing, and keeping composure against a resisting partner.
Weapons
Training with the sword, staff, broadsword, and other traditional weapons that extend Vovinam's empty-hand principles into steel and wood.
ON THE MAT
A Typical Class
We try to keep every class fresh, however, each session usually follows the same rhythm. From the opening bow to the moment everyone closes out with their instructor, take a look at what happens on the mat!
Step 1 of 5
Class Bows In
Students line up by their rank and bow in towards the Founder, Flag, and Masters/Instructors. This marks the training session’s formal start.
EXPERIENCE VOVINAM
Want to experience this for
yourself?
Come see a class for yourself—students of every age and experience level are
welcome to try out!
Vovinam Quang Trung