The 10 pledges of Vovinam serve as a guide for the students of martial arts. As a Vovinam disciple, I mastered the 10 pledges of Vovinam. For 9 years, I studied the physical attributes of Vovinam. But for the last 5 years, I finally learned the full meaning of what embodies a martial artist; confidence, ambition, self motivation, responsibility, discipline, and self control.

       “I shall strive to reach the height of martial arts in order to serve mankind.” Aside from the physical strengths that Vovinam trains us to build, attributes such as kindness, compassion, and consideration parallels to the growth of our strength.  My interpretation of this principle is that as a Vovinam student I will continue to train to my fullest potential in order to help anyone in need, whether it be a person that needs defense, or a person who needs personal guidance.

        The second pledge is “I shall faithfully build up my martial arts disciplines in order to develop a new generation of Vovinam youth.” This principle means I will work hard and generate all the values and wisdom that my instructors teach me. And I will try to pass it on to the students that I will teach in the future in order to help expand the growth of Vovinam.

       The 3^rd principle is “I shall live in harmony with others and I shall respect my superior and love my fellow disciples.” This pledge tells you that you should live with others peacefully although you wield the power to severely hurt someone you should still show respect to people who are older and wiser, and love your peers. Even in the Vietnamese household respect is highly valued. Regardless of conflicts between competitors or peers a Vovinam disciple should remain respectful and at peace with others. As a Vovinam disciple I bow to higher ranking peers and instructors as a sign of respect. Although Grand Master Nguyen Loc is not physically present we regard him by bowing to his picture before and after training and as we enter and exit the dojo.

       Pledge 4 states that “I shall absolutely adhere to Vovinam rules and regulations, and uphold the honor of martial arts.” Principle 4 states that we are like a walking symbol of Vovinam and should respect its rules and responsibility that it embodies. We represent Vovinam and should carry ourselves in a manner that reflects our training and honor the martial arts.

        The 5^th principle is “I shall respect my fellow disciplines and only use force for self –defense.” This pledge explains how a student should act as individuals of Vovinam and to use force only in self-defense and not as an act to harm others. 

      Pledge 6: “I shall work hard for personal and ethical enrichment.” This principle says that the student will work hard for their own self-being. The disciple will work hard to improve oneself in life and in Vovinam.

       Principle 7, “I shall live an honest, modest, and noble life.” This pledge was like a life defining principle, how you live your life, or how you should live your life. This, I can only try to do, in most aspects we’re only human and can only do so much, but by this principle you can only try your best to do; living honestly, modestly, and nobly.

        Principle 8: “I shall develop the will power to over-come all obstacles in life.” This principle says to me that I will try to establish the power of willing to triumph over any hurdle life will throw at me. In every aspect of a person’s life difficulties will arise that may hinder one’s determination to press forward; exams, college, graduate school, or career.

         The 9^th principle was defiantly confusing for me “I shall develop sound judgment and stamina, and I shall act with wisdom.” I interpreted this pledge as meaning I shall work hard to gain a wise position of judgment and act with good judgment. Through the values and morals that parents and Vovinam instructors have taught us, I hope to develop and translate them to my own understanding to act in the best interest of myself and others.

          The 10^th and final rule “I shall be self-confident, self-controlled, modest, and generous, and I shall constantly review myself to strive for improvement.” This rule is to be defined personally is that I will be confident, controlled in my martial arts ability, discreet, and generous. And I shall strive to regularly check myself to improve because nobody is perfect. A martial artist should always maintain these qualities of confidence, control, modesty, and generosity.  Despite the distractions of everyday life, maintaining and demonstrating these qualities reflects strongly upon a person’s character. Examining your actions in conflicts, competition or any difficult situation helps you maintain these qualities. This pledge, I believe, entails all of the pledges before it.

         These principles serve as a guide assisting me to excel in Vovinam, achieve high marks in school and in life. These pledges have and will continue to help me in the future to push myself to go above and beyond what is expected of me. Through exercising any person can achieve stamina, strength, and exterior glamour, but it is in the strength of a character that measures a person’s good will.  

Minh Anh Nguyen (Copy Vovinam Texas)