Keeping Traditional Martial Arts Alive in the Highlands

At the age of five, Le Dung began training in martial arts under his father’s guidance, starting with jujutsu. He later studied traditional Vietnamese martial arts under Master Nguyen Dinh Phuc of Binh Dinh Province, a land renowned for its martial arts heritage. After years of training, he went on to compete in tournaments across many provinces and cities, earning numerous individual achievements.

He is also highly skilled in the use of traditional weapons, including sabers, spears, swords, halberds, staffs, long spears, and nunchaku.

Although deeply passionate about traditional martial arts, Le Dung continued studying many other martial arts disciplines and schools, including Shaolin, boxing, taekwondo, karate-do, pencak silat, kickboxing, and Muay Thai. In his view, every martial art has its own beauty and unique techniques, which is why he has devoted much of his life to martial arts training and study.

In 2006, when the provincial traditional martial arts team was established in Lam Dong Province, he was selected as one of the coaches. Over the years, he and his colleagues have trained many generations of martial artists who went on to achieve outstanding results in both national and international competitions.

Among them are athletes such as Le Huu Hung, who won the gold medal in the 48 kg combat category at the National Traditional Martial Arts Championship in 2007; Le Thi Thuy Tien, who earned a gold medal at the National Sports Festival in 2010; Nguyen Thi Thao Nguyen, who secured gold medals at national competitions in 2012 and 2014; and Le Thi Phuong Nguyen, who achieved 15 consecutive years of gold medals and was promoted directly to the rank of elite athlete.

With more than 40 years dedicated to teaching and coaching traditional martial arts, Grand Master Le Dung has passed on the essence of martial arts and his extensive fighting experience from his younger years to his students and athletes. Today, in the mountain town of Bao Loc, his martial arts school attracts students of all ages.

His martial arts school proudly upholds the motto “Be strong to build and defend the Fatherland,” while promoting the virtues of Humanity, Wisdom, and Courage. He also teaches students how everyday tools once used by ancestors for self-defense and warfar, such as carrying poles, paddles, sickles, rakes, and umbrellas, can be applied in martial arts practice, sparking great interest among young learners.

Grand Master Le Dung shared: “Learning martial arts, especially traditional martial arts, helps young people better understand the heroic past of our nation and the ancestors who created these martial traditions to defend themselves and protect the country from invaders throughout history. Through martial arts, students learn to take pride in their Dragon and Fairy lineage and become familiar with national heroes such as Thanh Giong, Trung Sisters, Ba Trieu, Ngo Quyen, Tran Hung Dao, Le Loi, and Quang Trung.

“Practicing traditional martial arts also builds perseverance and patience, develops a strong and flexible body for study and work, and nurtures the strength needed to build and defend the country.”

Tran Duc Hai, a resident of B’Lao Ward, whose son Tran Dinh Thien An (a seventh-grade student) trains at Le Dung’s martial arts school, said that the grand master not only teaches martial arts techniques but also emphasizes ethics and daily manners, encouraging students to strive in their studies, cultivate virtue, and develop their talents to build their future and contribute to their homeland and nation.

Thanks to his significant achievements in teaching and coaching, Grand Master Le Dung has received numerous certificates of merit from various organizations and authorities. Notably, the Vietnam Traditional Martial Arts Federation has honored him multiple times for his outstanding contributions to preserving and promoting Vietnamese traditional martial arts.

He has also received commendations from the Minister of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for his excellent coaching and leadership that helped national team athletes win medals at the 2nd World Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts Championship in 2018 in Vietnam and in 2019 in France. Additionally, the Chairman of the Lam Dong Provincial People’s Committee awarded him a certificate of merit for his achievements in coaching traditional martial arts at the provincial Sports Training and Competition Center.