The Anam Schools Guests in Vietnamese Martial Art and Self-Defense
Vovinam Class at The Anam
Holidaymakers of all ages at Vietnam’s new “it” destination are kicking, foot sweeping and wrestling their way to fitness as part of the Anam’s new in-resort vovinam classes.
Based on the ancient Asian philosophy of yin and yang, vovinam endeavours to align body and mind through the art of self-defence. Vovinam ranks as the largest and most developed of Vietnam’s martial arts, with more than 60 schools internationally in the likes of Australia, the United States, Singapore and Thailand.
Tailored to all fitness levels and abilities, the Anam’s vovinam classes are led by resident vovinam master Huynh Trong Nghia, who has practiced and taught the principles of vovinam for 20 years. Nghia was awarded a silver medal in Vietnam’s Central Coast vovinam championships in 2017.
Nghia’s classes encourage participants to focus on the present moment through a selection of attack and defence techniques, including agile hand and elbow motions, kicks, foot sweeps, throws and wrestling moves.
The vovinam classes take place on the five-star resort’s vast green lawn overlooking Cam Ranh's Long Beach each Monday and Wednesday for adults and each Friday for children from 4.30pm – 5.30pm.
“While holidaymakers usually retreat to the gym, pool or a yoga class to maintain their fitness regimen, we’re flexing our hospitality muscles and offering an entirely new experience,” said the Anam’s founder Pham Van Hien. “Vovinam has become popular the world over and for good reason; it’s not only fun and reinvigorating but also distinctly Vietnamese and equips you with moves for self-defense.”
In the belief that martial arts could help free Vietnam from occupation, Nguyen Loc founded vovinam in 1938 to provide learners with an efficient method of self-defense after a short period of study. Nguyen drew upon his own knowledge of traditional Vietnamese martial arts and was also inspired by elements of Chinese, Japanese and Korean systems.
To complement the vovinam classes, the 12-hectare resort arranges yoga and meditation sessions with the resort’s resident yogi, Umesh. The Anam also offers plenty of healthy dishes at its world-class restaurants, including light Vietnamese cuisine made with fresh seafood and vegetables, in addition to freshly squeezed juices, smoothies and cleansing teas.
Vovinam is the latest initiative from the resort that affords guests the opportunity to experience authentic Vietnamese culture. Other offerings including the Anam’s ‘Artists-in-Residence’ evenings, ‘Vietnamese Chocolate Factory Tour’, ‘Pho Discovery’ and ‘Day in the Life’ experiences.