The 4th European Vovinam Championship will be taking place in Geneva, Switzerland from July 1-3, drawing the participation of 79 martial artists from 10 countries in the region. 

President of the Swiss Vovinam Federation Tan Rousset stressed the event is a chance to promote the martial art orginated from Vietnam in the country, as well as to intensify exchange between competitors and instructors from European nations. 

Established in 2005, the Swiss Vovinam Federation has attracted about 120 students.

The first European Vovinam Championship was held in Spain in 2010. The biennial event has developed with 12 countries across the continent now members. 

The martial art has attracted 200,000 learners in 55 countries and territories worldwide.

The first World Vovinam Championship opened in the southern city of Ho Chi Minh in 2009. Vietnam triumphed at the fourth World Vovinam Championship held in Algeria in 2015.

Founded in 1938, Vovinam is practiced with and without weapons. Based on the principle of between hard and soft, it includes the training of the body and the mind. It uses the force and reaction of the opponent.

VNA