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On 11-11-1960, since Master Pham Loi of Judo participates in the coupe led by General Nguyen Chanh Thi, the Ngo administration prohibits many martial art disciplines, including Vovinam from functioning. All the training centers are banned. All the masters either disperses or are drafted into the army. However, despite of the hardships, Master Tran Huy Phong still continues the missions set forth by the Founder. He secretly trains many disciples in schools where he teach such as Thang Long, Ho Vu, St. Thomas. Therefore, he has created a task force of young, courageous instructors who become the foundation of Vovinam in the future. On November 1, 1963, the Ngo Dinh Diem administration has fallen after a coup led by the military. Then a military government is established, and the ban of martial arts is annulled. All martial art disciplines are no longer being restricted, and starts to appear. In 1964, all the leading Vovinam Masters has met and formed the new discipline of martial arts. "VIET VO DAO" ("THE PHILOSOPHY OF VIETNAMESE MARTIAL ARTS") is added to become "VOVINAM-VIET VO DAO." The Council of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao is also formed.
The hierarchy of the Council of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao:
The Council of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao also establishes the rank hierarchy and uniforms as well as a training curiculum according to the rank. The ranks of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao is as follow:
The first training center is opened in 61 Vinh Vien (Eternal) Street, Saigon; then numerous training centers are also opened in Saigon such as Tran Hung Dao, Hoa Lu... The philosophical knowledge is also researched and published. In 1965, Master Phung Manh Chu, Director of Public Relations Committee, is successful in bringing Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao to the "New School Deal" program of the Education Department. The program starts first in four public high schools: Chu Van An, Petrus Truong Vinh Ky, Trung Vuong, and Gia Long; then followed by other pulic shools such as Nguyen Trai, Vo Truong Toan, Le Van Duyet, Tran Luc, Ho Ngoc Can, Mac Dinh Chi... as well as private schools in Saigon - Gia Dinh. During this time, the new training curiculum is developed from Self-Defense to Master levels. The philosophical knowledge of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao is also taught during class. Because of his good public relations and communication skills, Master Manh Hoang manages to secure two large centers for Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao from 1965 to April 1975. Those are the Hoa Lu stadium (later named the Youth Training Center by Master Tran Huy Phong), 2 Bis Dinh Tien Hoang street, and the Lam Son stadium, Tran Binh Trong street, behind the Petrus Truong Vinh Ky high school. Since the number of students practicing Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao increases rapidly after a short period of time, hundreds of classes are opened and admit thousands of students in Saigon and provinces. There is a serious need for instructors. Many masters and instructors have to teach 10-11 hours a day, seven days a week; even the third-degree blue belt students are required to teach. Finally, because of high demand and low supply, Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao have to refuse to open new classes. In early 1966, Master Manh Hoang persuades the National Police Department to allow Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao to be taught for the police officers. First many instructor-training classes are initiated in the National Police Headquarter, and the newly instructors are sent to the regional police departments to start Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao there. Even Grand Master Le Sang and the masters like Nguyen Van Thong, Phan Quynh, Trinh Ngoc Minh, Le Cong Danh, Tran Van Be... teach these classes. In the same time, Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao collects a financial grant from the police funds. In 1966, South Korea persuades the Central Military Command of the Republic of Vietnam to allow Taekwondo to be taught solely in the army. Upon hearing that decision, Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao declares that this is a shame to the Vietnamese matial arts of more than 4000 years. On the National Sorrow Day, July 20, 1966, Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao organizes a vigil attended by thousands of disciples in the Plant-Animal Park (Thao Cam Vien), Saigon to protest the army's use of foreign martial arts. This vigil, widely supported by the media, touches the Vietnamese nationwide. Even the Military Intelligence Agency and the Presidental Political Bureau starts to investigate this event and the organizers. Even master Manh Hoang, Tran Huy Phong, Phan Quynh... are personally interrogated by Colonel Thang, Director of the Military Intelligence Agency. However, because of the persistence and the just cause, the Central Military Command issues a second order to allow Vovinam, Judo and Taekwondo to be taught in the military. In early 1967, Master Manh Hoang convinces Lieutenant Colonel Thuy of the Military Police of the III Corps to open many training sessions for the Military Police in Bien Hoa. In late 1967, Master Manh Hoang passes away unexpectedly because of advanced diabetes. Only 29, Master Manh Hoang makes many great contributions to the growth of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao in the 60s. From 1968, Vovinamization of Armed Forces is initiated in the Central Military Command, the 18th Army Division, the Military Police of the III Corps, the Air Force and Naval Academy of Nha Trang, the IV Corps, the IV Reinforcement Corps, the 16th Armor Division, the 81th Airborne Brigade, the 21st Army Division, the 9th Army Division Academy, the Navy of Long Xuyen, the Navy of Binh Thuy, the 3rd Army Division... In the same year, Vovinamization of Rural Development Officials is initiated with the participation of tens of thousands of Rural Development Officials in Saigon and other provinces and villages. In early 1968, during the Tet Offensive event, Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao helps many victims of war in Saigon. This touches the hearts of many people. In 1968, the Chief Instruction Commission is established in 30 Tran Hoang Quan Street, Saigon, together with the formation of Viet Vo Dao Association and Viet Vo Dao Youth Association. The Grand Master also appointed Master Tran Huy Phong as head of Viet Vo Dao Youth Association. After that, many masters and instructors are sent to many provinces to promote Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao: Trinh Ngoc Minh (Nha Trang), Tran Tan Vu (Phu Yen), Ngo Kim Tuyen (Binh Duong), Nguyen Van Chieu (Quy Nhon), Nguyen Van Nhan and Nguyen Van Sen (Can Tho), Tran Van My (Hau Giang), Duong Minh Nhon (Kien Giang), Nguyen Ton Khoa (An Giang), Nguyen Van Vang (Vinh Long), Nguyen Van it (My Tho)... Soon later, the Eastern Instruction Comission is established in the province of Long Khanh under Master Tran Duc Hop and Central Instruction Commision is established in the province of Khanh Hoa under Master Trinh Ngoc Minh. In 1969, the Western Instruction Commission is established in the province of Long Xuyen (then moved to Can Tho) under Master Nguyen Van Nhan. In 1970, the Northwestern Instruction Commission is established in the province of Binh Duonng under Master Ngo Kim Tuyen. Every year, on the occassion of the Commemorating Day of the late Founder, many masters everywhere return to Saigon to attend the Commemorating Ceremony as well as attend the special training sesssions and promotion examinations. This creates a good tradition within Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao. The Grand Master and many high-level masters frequently visit many provinces, cities, and towns to support and examine the progress of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao nationwide. Beside martial arts training and character building, Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao also encourages its disciples to participate in many community and social services. In early 1970, Master Tran Huy Phong establishes the Community Village of Viet Vo Dao in Tan Tao village, Binh Chanh disctrict, Gia Dinh province with 3 kilometer square area. The project creates more than 1000 residence unit to be sold to the disciples and friends. Besides, he and some friends form the Viet Vo Dao Agricultural Plant to harvest the agricultural produce for the village. After April 30, 1975, the Vietnamese Communist regime tich thu this property and changes it into the New Economic Zone of Duong Minh Xuan. In late 1970, Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao and many cultural, religious, and political organizations as well as many celebrities to found the Steering Committee for the Establishing of King Hung's Altar, and finally the altar is placed in the Hoa Lu Center. Every year, the National Founder's Ceremony, attended by the President, legislators, government officials as well as many organizations and citizens lasts for many days. In 1973, the Vovinamization of National Officials is initiated with many training sessions in Chi Linh Center, Vung Tau. In 1974, a group of Vietnamese masters in France requests permission to join Vovinam because they like the ideals of Vovinam. As a result, the Grand Master and the Council of Vovinam approve their request and entrust them to form Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao Federation of France. The first Executive Committe includes Prof. Phan Hoang (President), Pham Xuan Tong, Nguyen Dan, Phu, Hoang Nam, Nguyen Trung Hoa, Bui Van Thinh, Tran Phuoc Tastayre. The Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao Federation of France is also responsible for promoting Vovinam in Europe. Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao also follows many exchange students such as Tran Nguyen Dao, Nguyen Thi Hue, Tran Dai Chieu, Duong Quan Viet, Ha Chi Thanh... to France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland... In July 1974, the Grand Master appoints Master Tran Huy Phong as head of the Chief Instruction Commission and Master Nguyen Van Thong as the new head of the Viet Vo Dao Youth Association.
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