“My name is Nguyễn Thị Bích Hậu. I currently live in Hanoi and work as a doctor in the field of public health. I learned about this event through the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). I decided to join when I saw the word “Vovinam,” because it’s a martial art that I had never experienced before.

I found this session to be very meaningful and enjoyable, and I really want to sign up for the upcoming sessions. I heard that this is just the first part of a series of events. Once the Guardian Girls program arrives in Vietnam, there will be a series of activities designed to enhance self-defense skills, confidence, and the ability to respond to different situations for women and girls. Participating today was a very joyful experience, and I learned a lot.

I feel that I gained practical, hands-on experience – the kind of training where you do it for real. I believe I can apply what I learned today in real-life situations to protect myself from gender-based violence and also help others around me.