Along with the youth clubs (clubs) at the Vietnam Military Medical University (VMMU), the two Karatedo and Flashmob clubs always create an explosive atmosphere every time they appear at the University’s events and attract the attention of a large number of viewers, with strong martial arts performances and youthful and skillful dancing steps, 

Confidence and creativity

Established in November 2011, after 13 years of operation, Flashmod Club has always received attention from students from all courses of the VMMU. From 16:30 to 18:30 every afternoon from Monday to Friday, the club has nearly 100 members officially participating in regular training.

Corporal Tran Nguyen Thanh Dat (a student of the long-term course DH55A), Chairman of the club, said that the slogan of the club is “Flashmob MMU – Feel the Mob”, with the meaning that music is the shortest way to connect hearts between music lovers, and dance is the most authentic way to express that connection.

Members of the Karatedo Club of the VMMU for combat training. Photo: Hoang Ngoc

“I, myself and the club members are lucky to be taught and conveyed practical experiences by the previous generation when we started participating in Flashmob dances, thereby building and developing the club stronger and stronger. Especially the members are always confident in themselves, get out of the inward shell and boldly break through,” said Corporal Dat.

In order to have impressive and unique performances, in addition to practicing hard and mastering basic movements, Flashmob club members also constantly strive to improve individual skills and teamwork skills, especially difficult movements such as acrobatics, flying, and jumping. Initially, unfamiliar with the high-difficulty movements, some members have dislocated, bruised, and rubbed their limbs.

“In the training process, it is difficult to avoid injuries. But with the spirit of dedication, the members of the club always support and encourage each other to overcome difficulties and implement training with the best effect,” Corporal Dat shared.

Being along with Flashmob for 5 years, Sergeant Pham Nguyen Anh Tuan (a student of the long-term course 53A), head of the dance team  of the club, said that after daily study hours, the whole group explores on their own, plans exercises and learns the content to teach each other.

“Those who come first teach the people who come later, from there, the relationship of the members becomes close and united. In addition to folk dance, up to now we have performed many genres such as modern dance, shuffle dance, contemporary dance… The club also learns and creates many new dances on many different music backgrounds during training and performance,” said Sergeant Tuan.

Molding the spirit of martial arts

“The members were present quickly into the gathering position. Today, we’re going to combine Kumite (a form of fighting in many contemporary martial arts) and Kata (boxing). Ask everyone to concentrate” – the gathering order of Private Nguyen Quang Thien (a student of the long-term class 56C), Vice Chairman of the Karatedo Club, was carried out by the members in a large courtyard in the VMMU.

First class private Thien said that established in October 2015, the Karatedo Club has become an ideal place to improve students’ health who are passionate about martial arts at the VMMU. Regularly every week, the club maintains 4 training sessions from 16:30 to 17:30, with nearly 70 official members.

“The exercises are arranged and planned to suit new and old students to create the most convenience in the training process because the exercises require different techniques and strokes. In particular, Kumite needs strength and acumen; Kata needs decisiveness and precision when attacking. For members wearing different belts, the same exercise but the requirements for arm strength and leg strength when striking are also different,” Thien shared.

According to First class private Thien, learners of Karatedo need to have a very high willpower, resilience and discipline during training. In addition to loving this martial art and actively training, the most important thing for Karatedo students is to build and maintain their martial arts spirit. “Only by maintaining the spirit of martial arts can you develop and build yourself better and better,” said First class private Thien.

In order to help Karatedo Club members have the conditions to exchange and rub, the VMMU regularly organizes friendly competitions with universities and schools. In April 2023, at the Karate Traditional Tournament of the University of Science and Technology, the Karatedo Club of the VMMU won a Gold Medal, two Silver Medals and a Bronze Medal; The club also won two Gold Medals, three Silver Medals and one Bronze Medal at the Traditional Karate Tournament of Hanoi University of Procuracy (October 2024).

“In order to achieve good achievements, the members of the club have always worked hard and persistently practiced for a long time. During training and competition, many members have encountered injuries such as sprains, muscle stretches, and body bruises. However, with the spirit of solidarity and high determination, we wish to spread the spirit of health training to best serve the Army and the country,” Thien affirmed.

Translator: Nguyen Thanh Nga