Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts at Crossroads: Preserving Heritage or Pursuing Commercialization?

Hanoi — In an old training hall on Hang Bac street, more than thirty students are practicing traditional Vietnamese martial arts moves under flickering fluorescent lights. Their feet strike the vintage tile floor with each stance. This image is gradually disappearing from Vietnam's urban life — and it's also a symbol of the biggest crisis facing the nation's traditional martial arts.

On March 15, 2026, the Vietnam Traditional Martial Arts Federation announced figures showing only 47 clubs remain active in Hanoi, a 23% decrease compared to 2026. This number reflects a concerning reality — young people are moving away from traditional martial arts, switching to modern disciplines like Vovinam, Muay Thai, or MMA.

"I've been teaching traditional martial arts for 35 years," Master Nguyen Van Hung, 68, head of Hang Bac Traditional Martial Arts Club, shares. "Before, each class had 60-70 students. Now, 20 is a lot. Our children learn MMA, Judo from Japan — no one wants to learn Thai Hau or Tien Son dao cuoc anymore."

A survey by the Vietnam Sports Research Institute in 2026 showed that 68% of youth aged 15-25 cannot distinguish between traditional Vietnamese martial arts and international styles like Karate or Taekwondo. This is a direct result of the lack of martial arts heritage education in schools.

The Commercialization vs. Preservation Dilemma

While traditional clubs struggle with declining enrollment, some organizations have found alternative survival paths — commercialization. Traditional martial arts courses at premium sports centers charge 3-5 million VND monthly, ten times higher than traditional club fees.

According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, revenue from traditional martial arts commercial products reached 280 billion VND in 2026, a 45% increase from 2026. However, most of this income comes from tourism products, costumes, and souvenirs — not from training activities.

Cultural sports expert Dang Thanh Ha observes: "Commercialization isn't bad, but it raises questions about essence. When traditional martial arts become consumer products, will spiritual values and martial philosophy be lost?"

Digitalization and Generational Connection Efforts

Faced with this reality, many masters and clubs have sought ways to adapt. Master Tran Dinh Nam, 52, in Ho Chi Minh City, built a YouTube channel with over 180,000 subscribers, sharing knowledge about traditional martial arts stances, Vietnamese martial arts history, and home training guides. This is an effort to connect with youth familiar with digital content.

"I can't wait for students to come to the gym," Master Nam shares. "I must bring martial arts to them. TikTok, YouTube, podcast — that's the new stage for traditional martial arts."

In 2026, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism approved the Scheme for Preservation and Promotion of Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts Heritage 2026-2030, with an estimated budget of 120 billion VND. The scheme includes building digital databases of martial arts forms, training physical education teachers in traditional martial arts, and organizing national-scale competitions.

Challenges from Modern Martial Arts

Competition from modern martial arts is an undeniable challenge. Vovinam Vietnam Vo Dao, with its systematic training and international competitions, currently has over 6 million students in 70 countries. MMA and free combat sports also attract large numbers of youth due to their excitement and strong media presence.

Compared to modern martial arts, Vietnamese traditional martial arts face several disadvantages: lack of professional competition systems, inconsistent training programs across regions, and brand image not clearly positioned in young people's minds.

However, many experts believe this is also an opportunity for traditional martial arts to reposition. Dr. Le Minh Tuan, Bac Ninh University of Sports and Physical Education, emphasizes: "Traditional martial arts can't compete with MMA in excitement, but they have cultural and philosophical values that modern martial arts lack. That's the real competitive advantage."

Perspectives from the Inheriting Generation

Amid the turbulent context, some positive signals are emerging. Many young people, despite growing up with internet and modern martial arts, are returning to traditional martial arts as a way to connect with ethnic identity.

Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, 22, a student at Hanoi University of International Business and Economics, is one of them. She started practicing traditional martial arts at 18, after watching a video about Vietnamese martial arts history on social media. "Initially I just wanted to know what traditional martial arts were, but then I realized this is part of the identity that previous generations are gradually forgetting," Lan Anh shares.

Lan Anh's story isn't isolated. Online traditional martial arts communities like "Vo Viet" on Facebook or "Vietnam Shaolin Temple" group on Discord have all recorded increases in young members over the past two years. This trend, though not strong enough to reverse the decline, shows traditional martial arts still have appeal for youth when approached correctly.

What Future for Traditional Martial Arts?

The big question remains before authorities and traditional martial arts enthusiasts: How to preserve original values while adapting to the new era?

There's no simple answer. But perhaps the answer lies in the students training in the old hall on Hang Bac street — those keeping the flame for a heritage no one is allowed to let die.

As Master Hung says: "Traditional martial arts aren't just punches and kicks. They're an entire system of philosophy, ethics, and culture. Losing it, we lose part of the nation's soul."