The pride of Vietnamese martial arts in Binh Duong

Up to now, in Vietnam, only 2 martial arts are recognized as the national intangible cultural heritage, namely Vo Lam Tan Khanh Ba Tra and Binh Dinh traditional martial arts. Therefore, the fact that Tan Khanh Ba Tra martial arts are included in the list of national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is not only the joy of the cultural department of Binh Duong but also a pride for generations of teachers and students following this martial art inside and outside of the province.

Master Nguyen Minh Tri is teaching Tan Khanh Ba Tra martial art at Binh Duong provincial Center for Culture and Arts

The pride of Tan Khanh Ba Tra martial art

Master Ho Tuong - the son of the late Grand Master Ho Van Lanh of Tan Khanh Ba Tra, currently living in Ho Chi Minh City, is considered to be a person with great merit in preserving, transmissing and promoting of Tan Khanh Ba Tra martial art. He said that Tan Khanh Ba Tra martial art (also known as Takhado) originated in Binh Duong province in the early seventeenth century. Over time, Tan Khanh Ba Tra martial art has actively contributed to the reclamation of and the struggle to protect the fatherland and expansion of the land to the South. Besides, Binh Duong - the birthplace of Tan Khanh Ba Tra martial art, has developed it in provinces and cities of Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Binh Phuoc, Ben Tre, Dong Thap, Kien. Giang, Lam Dong, Dak Lak, Binh Thuan, Tay Ninh, and Nghe An.

Particularly, Master Ho Tuong has contributed to the development of this martial art since 1966. Currently, he is still steadily maintaining his job at the Youth Culture House of Ho Chi Minh city. Talking to us about this event, Master Ho Tuong could not hide his joyous feelings. He said: “It is an honor because this is a martial art that our seniors enlightened to contribute to the reclamation of the land of Tan Khanh Ba Tra in particular and then contributed to the exploration of the Southeast in general to expand all over the place. Besides, this martial art also contributes to the defense of our nation. Especially, later when the martial arts were restored by the French and the US, the martial art of Tan Khanh Ba Tra also contributed to the honor of Vietnamese martial arts. Therefore, the fact that Tan Khanh Ba Tra martial arts is recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage is very proud to me and generations of our students.”

In Binh Duong, martial arts master Nguyen Minh Tri is one of the people who have long attachment to the martial art of Tan Khanh Ba Tra. Currently, he continues to teach in order to preserve this martial art for generations at Binh Duong provincial Cultural Center and in some other localities. Master Tri said: “Over the past time, I have also contributed to the maintenance and preservation of this martial art, so when I learned that this martial art was recognized as the national intangible cultural heritage. I myself am very happy and excited. This is not only the concern to preserve the cultural heritage and traditional martial arts of the Vietnam but also contributes to foster the more and more developed movement of traditional martial arts practice.”

To keep on maintenance and promotion

Le Van Phuoc, Director of Binh Duong provincial Museum, said that like other traditional martial arts, the history of Tan Khanh Ba Tra martial art is associated with the history of the land and the community that produced it. Tan Khanh Ba Tra together with the residents of Binh Duong fought wild beasts, enemies, and rogue elements, contributing to preserve the peace of life and ensuring the safety of the people. Tan Khanh Vo Lam Ba Tra is a unique and pure culture of the people of Binh Duong, it is forged and matured in the most difficult circumstances. Through those difficulties and challenges, Tan Khanh Ba Tra martial artist has always been honored for their victories over the enemy.

Tan Khanh Ba Tra is also a vivid demonstration of the martial spirit of Vietnam in general, the assertive and generous spirit of the Southeast people in particular. That spirit has always been preserved and promoted by the fathers. When the country was in danger, the spirit of the martial arts merged with the patriotism raged on, they were willing to sacrifice for the independence of the country and freedom for the people. In peacetime, traditional martial arts have become a very effective method of training the body and wisdom. “Preserving and promoting the martial arts of Tan Khanh Ba Tra were to demonstrate the tradition of gratitude for the fathers. By learning martial arts and through the teachings of masters and coaches, students will learn more about their father's efforts in the process of expanding the realm; to know the dangers and obstacles that people who have bravely overcame. Through martial arts moves, the post-graduates can also see the talent and creativity of his fathers drawn and refined through the systematic methods that the martial arts of Tan Khanh Ba Tra have," Phuoc said.

In recent years, Tan Khanh Ba Tra martial art has developed strongly; typically, martial arts classes in Thuan An city, Thu Dau Mot city and Tan Uyen Town. In 2000, by  the support of Master Ho Tuong, a martial art class of Tan Khanh Ba Tra was opened in Binh Nham ward of Thuan An city. The students who attended the first phase in Binh Nham later became instructors and masters in many classes of Tan Khanh Ba Tra martial art in Binh Duong. Phuoc added: “The recognition of Tan Khanh Ba Tra martial art as a national intangible cultural heritage has a very special and great significance for Binh Duong province. We are also working with localities to prepare all aspects to hold a ceremony of announcing the decision of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to recognize this heritage in March.”

In order to preserve and promote the value of this type of cultural heritage, in recent years, Binh Duong provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has implemented the project of "conservation and promotion of martial art of Tan Khanh Ba Tra" along with models and solutions. In the near future, Binh Duong provincial Culture, Sports and Tourism will coordinate with localities to carry out more activities to protect, promote and upgrade cultural heritages so that the origin of Tan Khanh Ba Tra martial art would be developed and spread from Binh Duong province to be worthy of a national intangible cultural heritage.

Reported by Hong Thuan – Translated by Vi Bao