Grandmaster Nguyễn Văn Chiếu, was born on November 4, 1949. Though his ancestral hometown was Long Hồ, Vĩnh Long province, he was born and raised in Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City) in a modest working-class family.
Master Nguyễn Văn Chiếu
In mid-1965, not yet 16 years old, he began training in Vovinam under Master Trịnh Ngọc Minh at a small training hall on Trần Hưng Đạo Street, District 5. With relentless effort and natural talent, he quickly rose through the ranks. Just two years later, at the age of 18, he had already achieved the rank of Red Belt, 3rd degree.
In 1969, he was sent by the late Grandmaster Lê Sáng—then head of the Vovinam school—to teach Vovinam in Quy Nhơn, Bình Định, a land famed for its martial arts tradition. There, he laid the foundation for Vovinam’s expansion by establishing 12 dojos and training generations of talented martial artists.
After 1975, Master Chiếu returned to Saigon and worked tirelessly to revive Vovinam in the southern region. He was one of the key figures who helped restart martial arts instruction in Vietnam after reunification, even during difficult times when Vovinam was overshadowed by more globally popular disciplines like Taekwondo or Karate.
Despite limited resources and a lack of media attention, he gave everything—his time, his energy, his savings—to ensure Vovinam endured. He traveled across the country, opened dojos, and encouraged countless young people to take up this traditional Vietnamese martial art. Even when students came from distant places with only night hours to spare, or when electricity failed and classes continued by oil lamp late into the night, he remained unwavering in his mission.
Master Nguyễn Văn Chiếu with foreign students
He once said, “I devoted my life to this art, not for money or fame. Compared to others, I may have lived with less. But I did it out of love—for martial arts, for my teachers, and for Vietnam.”
Master Chiếu emphasized both physical mastery and inner philosophy. “Vovinam teaches more than strikes, locks, and throws. It teaches character. Its essence is to shape good citizens—capable of protecting themselves and defending the weak—not to fight for glory,” he told his students. A hallmark technique of Vovinam—the leg clamp to neutralize an opponent—is both elegant and effective, reflecting the balance of art and utility within the discipline.
Not content with national success, he dreamed of taking Vovinam global. Following a celebrated demonstration in Russia in 1990, he began teaching in Spain and throughout Europe. His efforts opened the door for Vovinam to flourish internationally, now practiced in over 70 countries by more than two million people. Much of that growth can be directly traced to his vision, perseverance, and boundless dedication.
Master Nguyễn Văn Chiếu interviewed by CNN
After Grandmaster Lê Sáng passed away in 2010, Nguyễn Văn Chiếu was elected Head of the Vovinam Council, donning the prestigious White Belt in 2015—the highest honor in the art. Until his passing in February 2020, at age 71, he remained deeply involved in Vovinam’s affairs despite battling illness. He was also Vice President of the World Vovinam Federation (WVVF), Vice President of the Vietnam Vovinam Federation, and President of the Vietnam Vovinam Association in Ho Chi Minh City.
For nearly his entire life, Grandmaster Nguyễn Văn Chiếu poured his heart and soul into building and developing the Vovinam martial arts school. He once shared, with heartfelt humility:
“I gave my whole life to this art, even though it never brought me material wealth. Compared to others in different professions, I may have lived with less. But I did it out of passion and the martial spirit of Vovinam. I learned it so that I could pass it on — a way of repaying the debt of gratitude to my teachers. This is my destiny.
My dream has always been to build a grand Vovinam academy, open to everyone around the world — where people from all nations can come to learn and study this art. Vovinam is for everyone. It’s practical for self-defense, for the armed forces, and above all, it builds character and unity.”
Master Nguyễn Văn Chiếu with family
Grandmaster Chiếu’s family continues his legacy with pride. He was married to Mrs. Trần Thị Thanh and had two children — a daughter and a son. His eldest, Nguyễn Thị Thanh Nhã (also known as Thanh Nhã Berrier), is married to French martial artist Francois Berrier. She now serves as the Secretary General of the European Vovinam Federation (EVVF) and Deputy Secretary General of the World Vovinam Federation (WVVF).
His son, Grandmaster Nguyễn Bình Định, holds a high-degree Red Belt and is actively leading the next generation of Vovinam practitioners. He currently serves as Secretary General of the Vietnam Vovinam Federation (VVF), Deputy Secretary General of the Southeast Asia Vovinam Federation (SEAVF), Executive Vice President of the Asian Vovinam Federation (AVF), and Deputy Secretary General of the WVVF.
The contributions of Grandmaster Nguyễn Văn Chiếu to Vovinam are more than achievements — they are legacies of profound meaning and enduring value. He was a towering tree in the garden of martial arts, a man who quietly ignited the flames of inspiration and kept them burning across generations. Today, and forever, those who admired and followed him will remember “the silent warrior” who gave everything not only for Vovinam, not only for Vietnam, but also for the betterment of humanity.
This, too, is the highest purpose that Vovinam has always pursued — to forge strength not just in body, but in spirit and in society, empowering each individual to grow, to protect, and to serve.
— Vovinam Digital
(Compiled from press reports and official school archives)