Vietnam Town

VietNamNet Bridge – Following the voice of his instructor, Milutin Jelicic, a native of France, slowly stretches his hands to either side and folds his legs to the front. He makes sure to keep balance before moving on to the next position. Jelicic is a student of Nam Huynh Dao, which is also known as traditional Vietnamese Kung Fu. He practices this form of martial arts every weekend at Star Fitness center in downtown HCMC.

Students practice traditional Vietnamese Kung Fu at the Star Fitness centre in downtown HCM City.

Jelicic admits that he is not nearly as quick as when he was young, but is assiduous about practicing Nam Huynh Dao, which a friend introduced him to.

Jelicic visits Star Fitness every Friday and Saturday afternoon to practice Nam Huynh Dao, which has built up his confidence and improved his balance.

Sylven Stormcrow, another student of Nam Huynh Dao, is a nimble 37-year-old from the U.S. During the three years that he spent traveling in Vietnam, he was introduced to Nam Huynh Dao by a friend.

“I am very lucky to find Nam Huynh Dao because it is a very good practice,” said Stormcrow. “Vietnamese Kung Fu is interesting and has a very different focus.”

Stormcrow believes that Nam Huynh Dao can instill in students the ability to access eternal power from the beginning, whereas with other forms of martial arts it may take much longer.

“When I practice martial arts, I feel much calmer and less angry,” said Stormcrow. He hopes to continue to learn Nam Huynh Dao as long as he is in Vietnam.

American Tony Magnifico also feels fortunate to have discovered a place to learn Nam Huynh Dao. The 60-year-old works at the fitness center as a boxing trainer and takes time to learn the form of martial arts from instructor Nguyen Tuan Kiet.

Kiet said that his Nam Huynh Dao class is comprised of 20 students of all ages and ethnicities. The students come to learn martial arts, discipline and balance, he said.

Nam Huynh Dao class is organized every Friday and Saturday afternoon and on Monday and Wednesday mornings. Star Fitness also offers private classes. The class is priced at US$65 per month for non-members.

For more information, contact the Star Fitness center at The Manor Building at 91 Nguyen Huu Canh St., Binh Thanh Dist., HCMC. Tel: (08) 514 0255.

(Source: SGT)