1945 – 2009
9-DAN Black Belt Taekwondo
8-DAN Black Belt Gumdo
President of Than-Phong The Planet Martial Arts Federation
Director of Than-Phong Martial Arts Headquarters

• 1945: Born in Cho Lon, Viet Nam, in a traditional martial arts family, and began learning and practicing martial arts at a young age
• 1960s: Learned Taekwondo from the late founder, General Choi Hong Hi and Grandmaster Kim Byung-Woon (currently Chairman of the Kukkiwon Technical Counsel, World Taekwondo Federation) when Korea first introduced Taekwondo in Viet Nam
• 1965: Joined the South Viet Nam Air Force, was assigned to the Supplies and Maintenance Unit, then transferred to the Political Warfare Unit, Martial Arts Division (1966)
• 1967-1975: Co-Technical Director of Than-Phong Martial Arts Academy at Tan-Son-Nhat Air Force Base in Saigon, South Viet Nam
• 1984-1989: Secretly taught martial arts to a small group of Than-Phong Instructors and students in Saigon in spite of the communist government prohibition of Martial Arts in Viet Nam
• 1989: Came to USA and resided in Rhode Island for a short period of time
• Sep 1989: Relocated to San Jose, California, at the invitation of Chief Instructor Thuan Nguyen Truong (one of his former and initial students from Than-Phong Martial Arts Academy at Tan-Son-Nhat Air Force Base), and started teaching with Instructor Truong at his Than-Phong Martial Arts school in San Jose. Instructor Truong then offered his school with all of his 60 students and the role of President of Than-Phong Martial Arts Association to Grandmaster Phan who took ownership until he passed away in 2009.
• 1990-2009: Director of Than-Phong Martial Arts Headquarter, 230 Umbarger Street, San Jose, California
• 1992: Expanded the system internationally to Australia, Canada, France, and Sweden
• 1992/2000: Renamed the system as Than-Phong Intercontinental Martial Arts Federation (1992) and Than-Phong The Planet Martial Arts Federation (2000)
• 1989-2009: President of Than-Phong Martial Arts Association (1989-1992), Than-Phong Intercontinental Martial Arts Federation (1992-2000) and Than-Phong The Planet Martial Arts Federation (2000-2009)
• 2009: Passed away on April 30, in San Jose, California