An Investigation into Local Attitudes Towards the Effectiveness and Relevance of Traditional Vietnamese Martial Arts

Abstract

Roe, Augustus. 2020. ‘An Investigation into Local Attitudes Towards the Effectiveness and Relevance of Traditional Vietnamese Martial Arts’. Martial Arts Studies 10, 89-97. doi: 10.18573/mas.112 Traditional Vietnamese Martial Arts, effectiveness, relevance, modern martial arts, vovinam. Traditional Vietnamese Martial Arts (TVMA) are practices that have not been widely studied in relation to their functions. As a result, the effectiveness and relevance of these systems in a rapidly developing nation are widely debated. This study identified local attitudes towards TVMA forms, in a bid to better understand the practices, their backgrounds, their relevance in a contemporary climate and implications for their future. Attitudes were assessed through the use of a seven-point semantic differential scale questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed to one hundred participants in the Vietnamese capital city of Hanoi, all of whom had some understanding or experience of martial arts. Results were compared in relation to demographic data such as gender, age differences and martial arts backgrounds. Statistical significance was then analyzed through two-tailed T-tests. Results demonstrated conclusively that TVMA are seen as important historical, cultural, and social practices; however, the effectiveness of such systems as practical fighting arts as well as their relevance economically, is a highly divisive topic among the local population. Outcomes of the research suggest that further refinement and development of these systems are required to ensure they are not superseded by combat sports. 10.18573/mas.112 Augustus John Roe is a British martial artist, linguist and author. He