Master Ho Hai Long (1917-1988)

Adapted from a book published in 1970 by Grandmaster Nam Anh

Born in 1917 at Ninh Binh, in Northern Vietnam, Ho Hai Long (Nguyen Dui Hai being his real name) is descended from the military nobility of Vietnam. A great grandson of the reknown General Nguyen Huu-Khoi (also known as Le Van Khoi), who had terrified the Siamese ambassador by killing tigers in the arena with his bare hands, Ho Hai Long had inherited exceptional strength and a fiery temper. His uncle Thach Nam, Head Grand Master of the Han Bai School (Vietnamese martial art) refused admittance to this spirited young man.

Defying Thach Nam’s authority, he spied one day his uncle’s disciples practicing and so learnt the Five Forms of the Apricot Blossom. Thanks to a surprisingly keen aptitude and extraordinary perseverance, he vanquished all the school’s heir disciples during a period of absence of the Grandmaster.

And so it followed that his uncle summoned him. This Grandmaster could do naught but accept his great grandson’s proternations and admit him as a disciple.

Ten years later, in 1941, when he had become an athlete and a martial arts expert under the name of Hai “The Japanese”¹, he met Grandmaster Nguyen Te Cong in Hanoi.

At the sight of the puny elderly chineseman his familly had invited to become his master, he addressed him in a very condescending way, inflating his torso : “Can you withstand a blow from my fist?”. Nguyen Te Cong replied exposing his very lean chest and indicating with his fingers he would allow three blows. Challenged and invited, “Hai the Japanese” attacked him with a sudden blow that was abruptly stopped by what seemed to be a contrete wall, but was in fact the frail body of the old man.

His frustration and anger afire, Hai charged as a bull, only to be thrown backwards onto an oak cupboard that served as an altar, and which toppled over the dumbfounded young man, including everything that had been on top of it. This event profoundly affected Hai, and he would begin to follow a new way with Nguyen Te Cong.

In 1947, he won the Sword Championship of North Vietnam and gained the title Ho Hai Long, “The Dragon of the Lakes and the Oceans”.

Having completed his training in the reknowned Chi Kung of the Five Animals², his political activities were discovered: during the Vietnamese Revolution (1946-1975), Ho Hai Long was among the most ardent patriots.

He was arrested and imprisoned at Dô Son for five years by French colonials. Oddly enough, these years proved to be instrumental in reflecting and meditating thoroughly on the teachings of Nguyen Te Cong.

Later, this experience proved invaluable to him in transcending the preconceived techniques and concepts to get beyond anticipated moves. “Predictability in combat leads to a definite defeat”, he said. His highly efficient strikes were due to exceptionnal force and precision while his Chi Kung allowed him to withstand hundreds of blows during training.

While he fought alongside his country’s eminent politicians, in his private life he was occupied as a teacher of moral science in elementary schools. In the field of martial arts, he was a respected friend of Masters Nguyen Loc, founder of Viet Vo Dao, and Nguyen Quynh, champion boxer and founder of the Association of the Quintessential Martial Arts.

In 1969, fate had Grand Master Nam Anh cross the path of this admired young adventurer. Under freezing rains and winds from the high plateaus, only on rare occasions was his life colored by beautiful blue eyes or perfumed by fragrant wines. Touched by his nobility and his loyalty, Grand Master Nam Anh willingly joined ranks with him for the cause of the people.

From left to right: Grandmaster James Cheng (Praying Mantis); Grandmaster Loo Ping Woon (Pei Mei); Master Ho Hai Long; Grandmaster Nam Anh (Wing Chun). (1980)

Ho Hai Long passed away in 1988 at the age of 71, in the absence of Grand Master Nam Anh, who paid him his last respects upon his return to Vietnam in 1992.

1. Hai “The Japanese”: At the beginning of the Second World War, Japan was at the height of its glory and the Japanese were well known for their arrogance and talent in the martial arts.
2. Chi Kung of the Five Animals: The Wing Chun School keeps under secrecy three ultimate procedures as shields of defense: the Chi Kung of the Five Animals or of Shaolin Wing Chun, the hand of thunder and the Chan Kung Pa-Na (Pa-Na mental power).