Discovering Co Tu culture atBho Hoong Ethnic Village
It’s not easy to imagine what life is like for Co Tu people, but a few nights in Bho Hoong Village will give you an unforgettable glimpse into this extraordinary ethnic minority.
Only 70 kilometers from the tourist attractions in Hoi An, the Co Tu in Bho Hoong still live in rhythm with nature, following their ancestors’ traditions, and thriving as a tight-knit community along the Kon River. Read on to learn more about Bho Hoong and what awaits you here.
A welcoming place
Bho Hoong Village is separated from the town and main road by a narrow bridge. Over the bridge, 400 people live in a village at the edge of the forest, tucked beneath the Truong Son Mountains. The lanes are shaded with jackfruit and banana trees, and simple wooden houses sit amid large gardens planted with figs, turmeric, and pineapples.
The communal house
At the center of Bho Hoong Village you’ll find a sturdy Guol stilt house, where the village holds meetings and community activities. The Guol is set on timber logs hauled from the forest. Its beams are carved with images of hunts and rituals. Its walls are built from tightly woven bamboo bars, and its high sloping roof is made from rattan leaves.
Co Tu livelihood
The Co Tu are expert hunters and foragers, and know the forests of Dong Giang by heart. The men harvest wild cinnamon, bamboo, and rattan, hunt for small animals such as birds and rabbits, and trap fish in the streams. On their lands, the Co Tu cultivate crops of corn, cassava and rice, and raise water buffaloes, pigs, and chickens.
Craft traditions
Brocade weaving is an essential part of Co Tu identity. Girls learn weaving techniques from their mothers at a young age. Women grow and process cotton, spin and dye yarn, and weave intricate patterned clothing for their families. Co Tu men weave rattan to make sturdy baskets and the iconic Co Tu backpack with three deep pockets.
Ethnic cooking
Meals at Bho Hoong Village are always a treat. The Co Tu cook over an open fire, combining lean meat, fresh fish, and forest vegetables with spices such as chili, lemongrass, garlic, and ginger. Sticky rice is soaked overnight and steamed in bamboo tubes, and marinated meat is wrapped in aromatic herbs and grilled on skewers over the flame.
Activities for guests
The best reason to stay in Bho Hoong Village is to immerse yourself in ethnic village life. Go for a guided walk to see how the Co Tu live and farm, and learn about Co Tu weaving and cooking from local women. Spend the day trekking to waterfalls or natural springs, and enjoy evenings in the fresh mountain air listening to folk songs played on unique bamboo instruments.
Read more: Discovering Dong Giang District
Plan your visit
The Co Tu in Bho Hoong have built five Moong thatched houses for visitors. The houses are clean and comfortable, with windows peeking onto gardens filled with canna lilies, and wood carvings decorating the thatched walls. ACu Homestay arranges community-based tours to Dong Giang, and can help you discover the best of Bho Hoong Village.
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