Perched atop a mountain over 1,000 meters above sea level, Aur Village is located in A Vuong commune, Tay Giang district, Quang Nam province. It is home to 98 people (23 households) from the Co Tu ethnic group.
To reach the village, I was fortunate to meet Mai An (born in 2000, a Co Tu native who was born and raised in the village) who guided me through the 20-kilometer trek through the forest and across a waterfall.
We set off from Hoi An city at 3 am, traveling by motorbike and covering over 100 kilometers of winding mountain roads to reach the foot of A Vuong Bridge 1, from where we began our hike to Aur Village. It took us from 10 am to 3 pm to finally arrive.
A young man from Haiphong discovers the “cleanest village in Vietnam”
What amazed me as soon as I set foot in Aur Village was the simplicity and cleanliness of the place. The paths were made of original soil, but there was not a single piece of trash or dry leaf in sight.
My first impression of the village lived up to its reputation. It is known as the “cleanest village in Vietnam” and has been likened to a “mini Singapore in Vietnam.”
The villagers here take pride in maintaining a high level of cleanliness. Every household sweeps and cleans regularly, and no one litters, not even with a plastic bag, fruit peel, or piece of paper.
Anyone who litters is punished by being made to clean the entire village. Children are taught from a young age to dispose of their trash properly and maintain environmental hygiene.
Moreover, the villagers keep their livestock, such as cattle and poultry, away from the residential area, preventing them from roaming freely or defecating indiscriminately. As a result, both the homes and common areas are immaculately maintained.
The areas within Aur Village are kept immaculately clean.
During my short two-day stay with the villagers, I not only witnessed the pristine beauty of the village but also learned about its unique culture.
The village has no electricity, no trash, and no phone signal. After 6 pm, the villagers use solar-powered lamps, and when operating a saw, they use gasoline. There is no market, no medical station, and no roads for vehicles.
The only way to reach the village is by foot, trekking nearly 20 kilometers through pristine forests, crossing streams, and climbing over hills enveloped in clouds all year round.
Despite the challenging journey, the warmth and hospitality of the villagers captivated me, and I found myself falling in love with this place, wanting to return even before I had left.
The journey to Aur Village is difficult, but visitors are reluctant to leave once they arrive.
As evening falls, the villagers of Aur busily carry small trays towards the community house. These trays contain rice, vegetables, and sometimes roasted chicken, grilled fish from the stream, or smoked pork.
In no time, a hearty dinner is prepared, showcasing the unique culinary culture of the village. I was warmly welcomed and invited to join them for the meal.
This is a long-standing tradition of the Co Tu people called “nuoi chung khach,” where the entire village contributes something when they have a guest. Depending on the occasion, each household may prepare one or two to three different dishes per tray.
The young guest experiences a meal at the community house in Aur Village.
During this particular meal, I also got to try some specialties made from beef, such as stir-fried beef offal, minced beef tongue cooked with brain, and roasted beef skin…
According to the villagers, these dishes are considered delicacies, reserved for honoring guests from afar.
The delicious food and warm hospitality led me to drink quite a bit, and I slept soundly until 7 am the next morning. I then had the pleasure of joining Mai An’s family for breakfast.
The simple yet intriguing breakfast included dishes like field mouse meat, stinging nettle vegetables, and grilled stream fish.
The people of Aur Village prepare for the new rice ceremony.
Additionally, I had the privilege of participating in the new rice ceremony of the Co Tu ethnic group, which included two dishes: boiled chicken and hot rice. After this ceremony, the villagers can eat the new rice harvest.
Every moment I spent in Aur Village was truly special. The villagers were friendly, affectionate, and enthusiastic. When I left, the entire village came out to see me off.
I have traveled to many remote villages in Vietnam, but Aur Village remains the most emotionally captivating place I have ever visited. The unique and fascinating aspects of this village will forever be cherished memories.
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