Hanoi, September 16, 2025
Guardian Girls International (GGI) is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) headquartered in the United States, founded in 2019 with the core mission of protecting women and girls worldwide. The organization was co-founded by actor, producer, and entrepreneur Shin Koyamada, renowned for his role in Hollywood’s The Last Samurai, and his wife Nia Lyte, an entrepreneur and women’s rights activist. GGI aims to promote gender equality and prevent violence against women and girls by empowering them through sports, intercultural dialogue, education, and community engagement. The organization has partnered with international sports federations, United Nations agencies, governments, NGOs, and educational institutions worldwide. By 2025, GGI’s specialized projects have reached nearly 20 countries, positively impacting thousands of women and communities across the globe.
Gender-based violence remains one of the most serious and widespread human rights violations in the world. It refers to acts of violence directed at individuals because of their gender. Both women and men can be affected, but the majority of victims are women and girls, who are particularly vulnerable. It transcends social, economic, and national boundaries. Globally, it is estimated that one in three women experiences physical or sexual abuse in her lifetime. Gender-based violence undermines victims’ health, dignity, safety, and autonomy, yet it often remains hidden under societal silence. Unfortunately, Vietnam is no exception.
Mr. Shin Koyamada, Co-founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of GGI and Dr. Mai Huu Tin, President of the World Vovinam Federation (WVVF), signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
For this reason, on September 16, 2025 in Hanoi, Guardian Girls International, together with the World Vovinam Federation (WVVF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam, officially launched the Guardian Girls Vovinam project (GGV). This is a global initiative aimed at empowering women and girls with equality and self-defense skills through Vovinam, a traditional Vietnamese martial art.
The martial art Vovinam – Việt Võ Đạo, was founded in 1938 in Hanoi by Master Nguyen Loc. After nearly 90 years of development, Vovinam has spread to over 70 countries and territories worldwide, becoming a modern, scientific, and practical martial art that brings high value to both physical and mental training. The World Vovinam Federation (WVVF), established in 2008, is the official international governing body of Vovinam. WVVF focuses on promoting and developing the martial art globally, organizing training programs and standard competitions, while cooperating closely with governments and sports authorities. WVVF currently has 61 national member federations across continents, with an estimated 2 million practitioners, affirming its global influence.
Delegates at the signing ceremony
From left to right: Mr. Naoki Ito, Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam. Mr. Doan Ngoc Xuan, Principal of Thu Dau Mot University. Mr. Le Tuan Anh, Chairman of the Council of Thu Dau Mot University. Mr. Tran Van My, Chief Managing Master of Vovinam Executive Council. Mr. Matt Jackson, Country Representative UNFPA Vietnam. Mr. Mai Huu Tin, President of World Vovinam Federation. Mr. Bach Ngoc Chien, Vice President of World Vovinam Federation.
The GGV project is GGI’s flagship initiative. It is implemented in close cooperation with WVVF and supported by UNFPA, whose mission also focuses on ensuring women’s safety and empowering youth potential. The project is strongly backed by the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam and KIF Asia-Pacific. Initially, GGV will apply Vovinam techniques specifically tailored for women and girls to enhance physical strength and philosophical understanding. Among these, Women’s Self-defense—one of Vovinam’s fundamental training modules—will play a central role.
The project launch was formalized with the signing of a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Shin Koyamada, Chairman of GGI’s Board of Directors, and Dr. Mai Huu Tin, President of WVVF. Following this signing, the GGV project officially begins implementation both globally and in Vietnam.
Leaders of GGI, UNFPA, WVVF at the signing ceremony
Many leaders of non-governmental organizations in Vietnam and abroad attended the event. Some expressed their delight that Vovinam is now accompanying them in advancing the agendas they have long pursued and pledged to participate in this project. Among the distinguished guests were ambassadors from countries such as the United States, Laos, Switzerland, and Indonesia. U.S. Ambassador Marc Knapper shared that he was proud of such a meaningful project initiated by a Japanese-American citizen.
Nakatani Akari and Mr. Bach Ngoc Chien, Vice President of WVVF at the event
The event also welcomed the presence of Japanese actress Nakatani Akari (who played Michiko in the film Em và Trịnh). In addition to her career as an actress and her many years living in Vietnam, she is also a Vovinam practitioner. This beautiful Japanese woman has taken on the role of Communications Ambassador for GGV.
Mr. Bach Ngoc Chien representing GGV and Mr. Doan Ngoc Xuan representing Thu Dau Mot University signed the cooperation document.
Immediately after the signing ceremony announcing GGV, the first cooperation agreement was signed between GGV and Thu Dau Mot University – the partner responsible for implementing the GGV project in Vietnam, starting with introducing Vovinam training for students, particularly female students.
Mr. Shin Koyamada
“This journey carries a special meaning as it starts from Vietnam, the homeland of Vovinam, where culture, tradition, and resilience blend into the national identity. This is not only about martial arts or sports, but also a path toward transformation, self-worth, and the freedom to live without fear.” — Shin Koyamada, Co-founder and Chairman of the Board, GGI.
Dr. Mai Huu Tin
“WVVF is proud to collaborate with GGI to spread the principles of equality, safety, and respect within the global Vovinam community,” said Dr. Mai Huu Tin, President of the World Vovinam Federation. “The project brings a new approach to making traditional Vietnamese martial arts serve communities in a profound and humanistic way.”
Mr. Matt Jackson
“At UNFPA, we believe that sustainable solutions to end gender-based violence must be rooted in local culture, community-led, and multi-sectoral,” emphasized Matt Jackson, UNFPA Representative in Vietnam. “Guardian Girls Vovinam is a clear example of this vision, applying Vietnam’s traditional martial art to equip women and girls with confidence, practical skills, and self-determination. UNFPA is proud to connect and work with both national and international partners to promote innovative initiatives for a safe, equal, and violence-free society for women and girls.”
Mr. Naoki Ito
“Japan has always been strongly committed to promoting gender equality and preventing violence against women and girls,” highlighted H.E. Naoki Ito, Ambassador of Japan to Vietnam. “In 2021, through cooperation with UNFPA, we supported the establishment and operation of three One-Stop Service Centers, known as Ngôi Nhà Ánh Dương, assisting women and girls affected by gender-based violence in Thanh Hoa, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City. Today, by partnering with Guardian Girls Vietnam, we reaffirm this commitment while honoring both innovation and tradition. Through Vovinam, a traditional Vietnamese martial art, this initiative reflects the shared values of Japan and Vietnam in advancing rights, safety, and holistic development for women and girls.”
Vovinam martial artists perform at the signing ceremony
Through GGV, female trainers will receive standardized training and subsequently lead workshops, classes, and skill-development activities in communities worldwide. The project aims to provide women and girls with practical self-defense techniques, knowledge on preventing gender-based violence, and the confidence to assert their rights and capabilities. This initiative directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality) by integrating sports with social impact, protection, and community empowerment.
The project launch was held in a solemn ceremony at the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam, 27 Lieu Giai, Hanoi. This marks a historic milestone in the intersection of Vovinam martial arts and gender equality for women and girls in Vietnam and globally. The event also recognizes Vietnam as the first Southeast Asian nation to officially join the GGI movement. Through GGV, Vietnam will join other countries in initiating projects that promote gender equality and prevent violence against women and girls.
Article and Photos: Vovinam Digital