From the moment I tied my very first misshapen light blue belt, and even now as I tie my still misshapen dark blue belt, I have given my tears, sweat, and blood to Vovinam

I’ve been physically and mentally exhausted so often that it now feels essential to come out of practice physically and mentally exhausted, or it’s been wasted time.  My body has gone through cuts and sprains, bruises and pains; yet I never went to the doctor for these injuries.  The amount of money that I’ve invested into this institution probably could’ve paid for a semester’s tuition, but there is no regret for what I’ve spent.  I even had to face numerous tirades given by my angry, loving parents.  But all this doesn’t even account for the good things, no, great things, which I have gained from Vovinam.

             Confidence is an indispensable trait that everyone should possess, and Vovinam has undoubtedly instilled a great deal of confidence in me that probably couldn’t be found elsewhere.  The regiment of the upper level classes has certainly pushed me to the fittest shape I’ve ever been in, and this alone would give anyone enough confidence to walk around bare top.  Additionally, Vovinam helped me develop my hand/foot eye coordination that has allowed me to execute well in several other athletic activities, such as basketball and dancing.  There is also the confidence that I’ve gained from performing in front of audiences.  Many people, if not most, have stage fright that they are too afraid to get over; but years of demonstrations, along with the mishaps, in front of an audience has provided me with the confidence to do almost anything in front of people.

            You can only go so far with confidence, but it is the techniques that get the job done.  I’ve learned countless techniques since day one, and some of these techniques were well worth the wait to learn.  I’ll admit that there are some techniques that I don’t see as very practical, but there was some genius behind some of Master Nguyen Loc’s techniques.  One of Vovinam’s main purposes is to teach a person how to defend him or herself.  With the techniques that I’ve learned from instructors and the Thay’s, I am certain I could to defend myself, and those I love, against any physical threats.  As a bonus, being able to execute the high level techniques makes one look quite astounding in the eyes of the ladies, and men for some. 

             During the past six or seven years of devotion to Vovinam, the most important thing I can take from Vovinam are the people that I’ve met, practiced with, learned from, and played with. (Yes, played with.)  From the highly esteemed Thay Trung to the little Teo’s and Tho Tho’s, each person has had some sort of positive, sometimes amusing, impact on my life today.  It is the instructors and students of Vovinam that bring together creative ideas and practical advice that anyone could use, even if they aren’t fellow students of Vovinam.  It is the instructors that give you the criticism that makes you better and the praise that motivates you to go beyond your limits.  It is the students around you that not only provide you the essential competition, but also the necessary enjoyment of going to class.  It is the friendships that keep me returning to the footsteps of the large, gray edifice filled with smiles and slanted eyes.

As I sit here writing this essay, though, I can’t help but feel as if this is my final moment in Vovinam.  I feel like I am writing an accumulation of all my memories and thoughts I’ve had throughout the past six or seven years.  This yellow belt test, for me, feels like the pinnacle of my martial arts career.  All the tears, sweat, and blood that I’ve shed have all come down to this one day where I get promoted to yellow belt.  This point in my life is full of life changing decisions regarding my future and my career, and it makes me wonder where I would go from this point.  All I know for sure is that there will always be a lingering pain in my body, a few battles scars on my skin, and a place in my heart that will forever remind me of my second home.

Minh Tran (Copy Houston - Texas)