VietNamNet Bridge - The International Vovinam Federation (IVF) was set up at its first congress in Ho Chi Minh City on Sept. 25 and 26.

The IVF with members from 24 countries has its headquarters in Ho Chi Minh City.

The congress elected Nguyen Danh Thai, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, as IVF President, and Vo Danh Hai, General Secretary of the Vietnam Vovinam Federation, as IVF General Secretary.

Vovinam is a martial art founded by late instructor Nguyen Loc in Hanoi in 1938. It is a harmonious combination of Vietnamese traditional martial art and others. Vovinam has been popularised across Vietnam and many countries in the world.

Speaking at the congress, Nguyen Danh Thai stated that IVF’s establishment was aimed at developing Vovinam worldwide and maintaining the traditional value of the martial art.

(Source: VNA)