Abstract
In Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, young people are drawn to the martial art known as “Vovinam,” which has deep cultural origins in Vietnam. Young people in the “capital of a thousand years of civilisation” are both dynamic in discovering new things and eager to preserve the culture of the nation. With an emphasis on the moderating influence of national identity, this study attempts to determine the variables influencing students’ motivation to practice Vovinam. The current study examined the youth’s decision to continue practising Vovinam by testing constructs such as consciousness of health, perceived workout benefits, the necessity of exercise and continuance intention and extended components like National Identity using the extended Uses and Gratifications Theory and Social Identity theory. An online survey was sent to over 350 valid students practising Vovinam. SmartPLS software was used to analyse data, and then partial least squares structural equation modelling techniques (PLS-SEM) were used to test the data statistically. The results show a moderating effect of national identity on the relations between exercise needs and intention to continue exercising in Vovinam. The findings also indicate that the factors, including consciousness of health, perceived workout benefits, and the need for exercise, have positive and significant effects on the youth’s intention to continue exercising Vovinam. The study emphasises the cultural and motivational elements that influence Vietnamese students’ engagement in practising Vovinam. The findings might be used as a foundation for governments and educational institutions to support Vovinam, which would boost youth physical health and national pride.