The festival marks a significant milestone, celebrating the 20th anniversary (2006–2026) of the International Festival of Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts.
The festival runs from August 2 to 5 in Quy Nhon Ward and other communes and wards across Gia Lai Province. It convenes 16 international martial arts delegations from nine countries, featuring more than 250 martial arts masters and practitioners, alongside 43 distinguished Vietnamese delegations representing traditional martial arts schools from across the country.
The programme featured a wide range of activities, including flower- and incense-offering ceremonies at the Kinh Thien Altar and Quang Trung Museum; a ceremonial procession carrying the sacred flame from the Tay Son Tam Kiet Temple to light the festival cauldron at Nguyen Tat Thanh Square; a three-part grand artistic performance; mass martial arts demonstrations and cultural exchanges combined with visits to historical and cultural sites and scenic landmarks; and the closing ceremony and a photo exhibition highlighting the activities of martial arts schools and lineages.
In his remarks, Pham Anh Tuan, Chairman of the Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee, emphasised that Vietnamese traditional martial arts have been forged through thousands of years of nation-building and national defence, becoming an integral part of the courage, spirit,and identity of the Vietnamese people.
He highlighted that the enduring vitality of Vietnamese martial arts lies not only in physical strength but also in the philosophy of martial virtue, honour, and righteousness, with the cultivation of character, perseverance, patriotism,and service to society at its core — values that continue to elevate Vietnamese martial arts on the international stage.
"A heritage truly lives only when it is passed on. Culture truly spreads only when it is shared. Tradition endures only when today's generation renews it with creativity and responsibility," he said.
Gia Lai Province has designated the preservation and promotion of Vietnamese traditional martial arts as an essential part of safeguarding the nation's cultural memory, resilience, and identity. Looking ahead, the province seeks to forge stronger links between martial arts, culture, education, sports, and tourism, transforming traditional martial arts into a distinctive cultural product and tourism attraction while promoting the image of a modern Gia Lai.
