Minh added that training sessions with punches, kicks, and sparring helped him overcome his fear of being teased by friends. He proudly shared that he recently performed at a community event.
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| A martial arts class at Nghia Dung Karatedo Club. Photo: N. Dung |
Summer is an ideal time for children to engage in physical activities, with martial arts standing out as a way to improve health, build discipline, willpower, and character. The movement is not limited to centers or urban areas but has also spread to rural areas of Hue. In Huong Thuy Town, for example, Taekwondo has already reached most localities, with practice centers in Thuy Phuong, Thuy Chau, Phu Bai, Thuy Luong, Thuy Tan, and more.
From traditional styles such as Kinh Van An to modern disciplines like Karatedo and Taekwondo, martial arts have become an essential part of growing up for many young people. At training sites across the city during summer, practice usually starts around 5:30 p.m., when the heat of the day has eased, and lasts for about two hours. Watching the children in neat uniforms, practicing with focus and passion under the guidance of their instructors, I can clearly see their growth in discipline and determination.
In the summer of 2024, in Dong Son Commune (now A Luoi 4), local police together with youth union members organized a free martial arts class that attracted up to 70 children of different ages, mainly pupils on their summer vacation. Besides martial arts training, the children also learned life skills. Occasionally, after class, fun group activities were held to help them connect and bond with each other.
On the Kinh Van An Martial Arts Fanpage, a cheerful announcement promoted its summer 2025 program for children as young as five. It encouraged parents to give their kids a dynamic and healthy summer by enrolling them to learn martial arts once practiced in the Nguyen Dynasty court, ranging from hand forms to weapon practice, sparring, and even have opportunities to perform at major festivals. In recent years, Kinh Van An Martial Arts students have joined the “Street Parades” during Hue Festival, participated in Tet Hue, and performed a reenactment of Emperor Quang Trung Nguyen Hue’s enthronement at the Nui Ban historical site.
Martial arts offer great value in children’s education. They support not only physical development but also character formation. Training martial arts helps improve concentration, which helps with academic learning as well. Clearly, martial arts are not just a sport but a comprehensive educational journey, nurturing both the body and the mind. To keep this movement growing, localities should expand free martial arts classes, promote traditional styles, and encourage parents to enroll their children. A dynamic and healthy summer with martial arts is not only an ideal choice but also a foundation for the younger generation to grow and thrive. This is why martial arts are increasingly chosen by parents and students, especially during the summer holidays.