Striking a Balance: Exploring the Evolution and Interaction of MMA and Traditional Martial Arts in Vietnam

This study examines the relationship between mixed martial arts (MMA) and traditional Vietnamese martial arts (TVMA) in Vietnam from 2018 to 2024, a period of significant regulatory and cultural transitions. Using globalisation and glocalisation frameworks, it investigates how martial arts interact and adapt. Drawing on six years of ethnographic fieldwork—including participant observation, expert interviews (n=8), and analysis of competition records and media—it identifies three integration phases. The pre-legalisation phase (2018-2020) was marked by informal uptake and adaptation. During the transition phase (2020-2022), TVMA participation in formal events declined. The post-legalisation phase (2022-2024) saw increasing hybridisation between TVMA and MMA. Analysis reveals how institutional and strategic adaptations fostered blended fighting approaches, catalysing innovation within TVMA rather than eroding local cultures. This research contributes to understanding how traditional martial arts sustain cultural relevance while adapting to global sporting trends, advancing perspectives on sporting globalisation and glocalisation in developing nations.