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Sifu Lam, Van Ky

Master (Sifu) Lam Van Ky began his Kung Fu training at the age of 18 when he and his family immigrated to Vietnam in 1948. His ancestry is Chinese, but he was born in Cambodia.

When he arrived in Saigon Master Lam noticed a number of ethnic Chinese settled in the Cho Lon area which is still, to this day, considered Vietnam’s Chinatown. He also discovered that the building where he lived had many people from Hainan Island, China. In addition, the fourth floor of the building held a martial arts school called Thanh Lien Shao-Lin Golden Lion & Dragon Martial Arts School.

During this time there were a number of small skirmishes occurring between local people from different ethnic backgrounds. Because of this, Master Lam decided one day to join Thanh Lien in order to learn Kung Fu. When he met Grand Master Lam Minh Hao, he was very impressed and happy that he had found such an exceptional teacher.

Master Lam possesses great skill in crafting Chinese Lion Dance and Dragon Dance supplies such as paper lion heads and tails, and dragon heads and bodies. The heads are made from either rattan or bamboo, covered with papier-mâché, and decorated with extraordinary, hand-painted designs and drawings. This talent has made Master Lam famous throughout Vietnam. He provides supplies to several other Kung Fu schools that also perform the Chinese Lion Dance and Dragon Dance.

Master Lam is also currently in charge of the Thanh Lien Golden Dragon & Lion Dance School, which focuses on teaching Chinese Lion Dance and Dragon Dance performed by the school at New Year's celebrations and other festivals.

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