Entrepreneur and President of the World Vovinam Federation, Mai Huu Tin – The Power of Sports and Culture Intertwined with Economic Strength
5/26/2025 12:00:00 AM
Besides the role of Chairman cum CEO of Unigroup, managing an impressive portfolio of 79 companies, entrepreneur Mai Huu Tin has also made exceptional contributions to promoting Vovinam globally in his role as President of World Vovinam Federation.
According to Hoang Quynh (Thanh Nien Newspaper)
Born in 1969 in Binh Duong, entrepreneur Mai Huu Tin is well known in the business world for his successful turnarounds of companies on the brink of bankruptcy, such as Toan My Water Tank, Saigon Paper, and Truong Thanh Wood. Since 2017, driven by his deep love and passion for Vovinam, Mai Huu Tin has also made a significant mark as President of the Vietnam Vovinam Federation and President of the World Vovinam Federation.
Recently returned from a business trip to Africa, entrepreneur Mai Huu Tin shared openly and passionately with Thanh Nien newspaper, expressing his desire to inspire young people who are passionate about entrepreneurship, as well as those who admire Vietnamese martial arts—Vovinam.
FOR STABLE DEVELOPMENT OF VOVINAM
You recently had a business trip to Africa and witnessed the explosive growth of Vovinam – Vietnamese Martial Arts – in countries across the region. Could you share your impressions from the trip? And do you believe the Vovinam development model in Africa can be applied to other regions?
Vovinam has been present in Africa since 1977, and we are now preparing for its 50th anniversary. Starting from Ivory Coast, Vovinam is now practiced in 24 out of 54 African countries. The strongest presence is in Algeria, where there are over 30,000 regular practitioners, and their athletes are fully capable of competing for medals at the highest-level tournaments. Countries like Senegal and Burkina Faso recently celebrated 40 years of Vovinam’s presence, while others such as Nigeria have only started in recent years, and some, like South Africa, are still in the early stages of development.
The economies of many African nations are currently at a development stage similar to Vietnam’s a few decades ago. This material scarcity, paradoxically, makes Vovinam a valuable and accessible playground for young people, as it allows them to develop holistically in Body, Mind, and Spirit at minimal cost. This is what differentiates Vovinam from many other major martial arts around the world—it emphasizes comprehensive personal development, not just combat technique.
However, for Vovinam to grow sustainably, it cannot rely solely on goodwill or the sacrifice of a few passionate individuals or dedicated masters. We are currently considering investments in economic projects in Africa to create a long-term growth engine. This principle is not only valid for Africa—it applies everywhere in the world: The power of sports and culture must go hand in hand with economic strength.
President of World Vovinam Federation Mai Huu Tin with "little" Vovinam students in Africa
Many people often mention your two major aspirations, which are also key goals of Vietnamese Vovinam: establishing a Global Vovinam Academy in Ho Chi Minh City and making Vovinam an official sport in the ASIAD and Olympic Games. Could you share the specific roadmap for achieving these two objectives?
We are continuing to pursue the Global Vovinam Academy project in coordination with the leadership of Ho Chi Minh City, as originally planned, within the city’s broader development initiative at Phu Tho Sports Hall. This venue has a long-standing connection with Vovinam for many reasons and remains our top-priority location. We do have backup options, but the issue is not just about physical infrastructure.
In parallel, we have also been preparing other essential conditions, which in reality are even more critical—such as qualified human resources to operate the institution, and meeting the criteria of a higher education establishment.
Our ultimate goal is not merely to build a traditional martial arts academy, but to create an institution that trains future leaders, individuals who embody Vietnamese identity and character, while also possessing the capability to operate effectively anywhere in the world.
Entrepreneur Mai Huu Tin is welcomed in Nigeria During Vovinam Training Visit
VFF
The 2023 General Assembly of the World Vovinam Federation revised the entire operational process to comply with the regulations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). We are also taking many other steps to meet the membership requirements of WADA (the World Anti-Doping Agency). These are fundamental conditions that will help us qualify to participate in major sporting arenas in Asia and around the world.
It’s worth noting that recently, Thailand used the fact that Vovinam is not yet a WADA member as a reason to exclude Vovinam from the competition program of the 33rd SEA Games, to be held this December.
We are still learning as we go, since we previously had no experience running a global sports federation. Fortunately, Vovinam now has a strong and committed human resources framework operating actively in Asia, Europe, and Africa. I am confident in this team for the future.
Having spent 8 years in leadership roles with both the Vietnam Vovinam Federation and the World Vovinam Federation, could you share your joys and concerns regarding a sport that was officially recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2023?
Vovinam is increasingly known both domestically and internationally. It has been welcomed, studied, and practiced in 73 countries across all five continents, with millions of practitioners. But of course, we could move faster and stronger with more support and encouragement. Vovinam is the shared heritage of all Vietnamese people. Our goal is to reach over 100 countries practicing Vovinam within the next 10 years.
As someone extremely busy with business, yet still managing to dedicate significant time to Vovinam—even prioritizing it—do you have a special connection with this martial art?
In addition to my responsibilities as the President of the World Vovinam Federation, I’ve been a Vovinam practitioner for over 40 years. So naturally, I have a deep affection for the art. On my mother’s side, my grandparents, uncles, and my mother were all disciples of Tan Khanh Ba Tra, a branch of the Tay Son Binh Dinh traditional martial arts, so I was exposed to Vietnamese martial arts almost as early as I learned to walk.
When I was in 10th grade (in 1984), a group of friends invited me to learn Vovinam – Vietnamese Martial Arts. That group of friends went on to achieve success in life, and just last year, we reunited—friends from both Vietnam and overseas—to celebrate our 40-year journey together. It’s clear that Vovinam has played a profound role in our lives.
There’s also an interesting detail: my first Vovinam instructor, Master Doan Van Vien in Binh Duong, may be the only teacher whose student has gone on to become president of all levels of the Vovinam federations—including President of the Binh Duong Vovinam Federation, Ho Chi Minh City Vovinam Federation, Vietnam Vovinam Federation, and the World Vovinam Federation. That student is me.
At the age of 56, entrepreneur Mai Huu Tin continues to pursue lifelong learning to stay resilient in the business world.
We’ve heard that even at the age of 56, you still study regularly. Could you share a bit about your learning journey and your views on lifelong learning?
Learning should be a part of daily life—because the moment you stop, you’re already being left behind. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has concluded that within just two years of graduation, 50% of what you learned is already outdated. Learning helps us stay relevant, but it also brings joy.
That’s why I’ve steadily pursued education—starting from undergraduate studies in Vietnam, to a master’s degree in Belgium, then a doctorate in the U.S., and I continue to update my knowledge constantly. Some programs require me to attend in person, such as those at Harvard Business School (HBS) in the U.S. But many others I attend daily online, right from home.
And I’m not the only one. Many of my entrepreneur friends are doing the same. This kind of learning doesn’t benefit just us individually—it also benefits our colleagues, our companies, and society as a whole. Whenever we come across something useful or worth updating, we’re always ready to share it with the community.
As you’ve mentioned, you work more than 10 hours a day with a packed schedule of business trips and studies. So how do you find time for your family, loved ones, and friends?
At different stages in life, and depending on how much responsibility you carry, your priorities shift. As time goes on, you’ll meet more people—but the number of people you truly need to engage with should shrink, so that you can focus on creating real value.
I’m fortunate to have a family that understands and trusts me, and I’m lucky to have many capable colleagues to whom I can delegate fully. When you focus on value and long-term impact, you naturally let go of activities that offer less value or limited impact. That’s all. Balance is not a destination. If you feel at peace both physically and mentally, that means you are in balance.
Thanks to the dedication of entrepreneur Mai Huu Tin, Vovinam has grown vigorously across the globe
VFF
How is leading a business different from leading a professional social organization like the Vovinam Federation—in terms of management and values? Do you have plans for retirement and a peaceful life with your family?
Being a business leader or the head of a professional social organization like the Vovinam Federation is similar in one key aspect: if you’re not fully committed, you won’t succeed. But the differences are significant in terms of depth versus breadth, and in the nature of the work.
Sitting on the roadside with barefoot Vovinam practitioners in Africa, surrounded by the chaos of guns and conflict, is a far cry from boardroom meetings in factories or secure offices in developed cities.
As for retirement—there won’t be a formal retirement. I will gradually step back to make room for younger generations to prove themselves. But as long as I’m still useful, I’ll continue working.
If you had a message for Vovinam practitioners around the world, and for young people passionate about business, what would you say?
I hope more young people will embrace both passions—to develop themselves holistically and to create meaningful value in the world.
DEDICATED TO VOVINAM
"Brother Mai Huu Tin—as I always call him “brother” rather than using the traditional martial arts titles like “Master” or “Teacher”—is an incredibly devoted leader.
I still remember last year, when he accepted an invitation from the Vovinam Federation of Myanmar to attend the opening ceremony of their national training course. Due to the travel difficulties in Myanmar, he took nearly 25 hours, transiting through several places, just to arrive on time. Only his love and deep commitment to Vovinam could have driven him to overcome such obstacles to contribute to promoting Vietnamese Martial Arts.
I’ve been a specialist working with the Myanmar Vovinam national team for over 10 years and have visited the country many times—even during times of political unrest. Yet, none of my trips have ever taken more than 12 hours.
He often jokes with me: “Our Mai surname family…”
Just that simple line feels so warm and familiar. It fills me with pride to be close to such a wise and dedicated leader, and makes me feel that all my efforts are but a speck of dust in comparison. It always motivates me to strive even harder.
He is truly a great role model—a man with a generous heart, bound by deep responsibility to Vovinam. Through his example, practitioners like me are constantly inspired, filled with positive energy and powerful motivation to do more—even if just small things we can contribute to our beloved martial art."
Mai Thi Kim Thuy
(Master and World Vovinam Champion)
LEAVING A LASTING MARK
"As a former Vovinam practitioner who went on to achieve great success in business, Mai Huu Tin’s contributions to the development of the martial art are truly admirable.
In his roles as President of the Vietnam Vovinam Federation and President of the World Vovinam Federation, Mai Huu Tin has made exceptional contributions in diplomacy, strengthening connections with government bodies and local authorities to help Vovinam continue to thrive.
Especially as a businessman who frequently travels abroad, he consistently integrates his international work with efforts to promote and expand Vovinam globally, achieving remarkable results. Most recently, his trip to Africa combined business with efforts to build and strengthen local federations, making a significant impact.
With his strong leadership and management skills, Mai Huu Tin has also fostered unity within the federation, creating a shared sense of purpose and motivation for everyone to contribute to the martial art.
For important matters related to the discipline, he always consults with the Vovinam Masters' Council, showing deep respect for the tradition. I firmly believe that with his passion and dedication, Mai Huu Tin will continue to help Vovinam spread and grow even stronger across the world."
Master Tran Van My
(Chief Custodian of the Vovinam Martial Arts Discipline)
