Elder B'ríu Thiện (on the right) guides the villagers in planting and processing agricultural products to increase their income.
For many years, he has quietly preserved and spread the essence of Co Tu culture, so that Bho Hoong retains its traditional beauty amidst modern life.
The life of village elder B'ríu Thiện is intertwined with many historical milestones and the destiny of his village. As a Trường Sơn soldier, he spent five years participating in the resistance war against the US (1970-1975), enduring hardships in the Đông Giang and Tây Giang forests of the former Quảng Nam province – days of struggle but also great pride.
After the reunification of the country, upon returning to his village, Elder B'ríu Thiện continued to dedicate himself to his homeland as the Chief of the Commune Police. Even after leaving his government job, his work never ceased. For many years, he quietly traveled throughout the villages of the Cơ Tu people, persistently preserving, protecting, and passing on to the younger generation the cultural values left by their ancestors.
From customs and traditions deeply ingrained in the lives of the Co Tu people to traditional crafts such as weaving, archery, the Tang Tung - Da Da dance, erecting the ceremonial pole, singing folk songs, and reciting folk tales, he cherishes and preserves them all with profound love. When cultural life was revived, Elder Thien, together with the local government and respected figures in the village, discussed and drafted village regulations and common rules: No violations of the law, no possession of weapons, preventing children from falling into social vices, and working together to protect the forest and maintain the peace of the village.
Thanks to Elder B'ríu Thiện, the Bhơ Hôồng cultural tourism village has become a typical community tourism destination attracting many visitors.
To ensure these rules truly became ingrained in daily life, the elder quietly went from house to house, patiently advising each person. His words were simple but sincere; the villagers heard what was right, understood his heartfelt advice, and everyone willingly followed. Thanks to this, for many years, Bhơ Hôồng had no drug-related offenses, security and order were maintained, conflicts were resolved promptly, and child marriage and domestic violence decreased significantly. The forests surrounding the village were also protected, and hunting wild animals gradually became a thing of the past.
As life gradually stabilized, Thien and his fellow villagers transformed their cultural heritage into valuable assets. Bho Hoong gradually became a community tourism destination, attracting many visitors. They come here to immerse themselves in the lively Tang Tung - Da Da dance by the campfire, listen to the resonant sound of gongs in the vast forest, admire the diligent weaving of brocade on looms throughout the four seasons, and enjoy traditional meals rich in the flavors of the mountains and forests.
Despite his advanced age and declining physical strength, Mr. Thien enthusiastically participates in this development. Sometimes he joins his neighbors in cooking sticky rice in bamboo tubes, grilling fish, and preparing wild vegetables to entertain guests from afar; in his free time, he diligently weaves baskets and jars from natural bamboo and rattan. Each simple yet exquisite product not only brings additional income to his family but also embodies the story of the life, customs, and soul of the Co Tu people.
Besides participating in cultural preservation and tourism development, Mr. Thien also established a scholarship fund, encouraging his children and grandchildren to pursue their education. Many generations of young people from Bho Hoong have now grown up, becoming teachers, officials, and police officers, returning to serve their homeland.
In the Thien family, his son B'riu But is a renowned archer with many medals in crossbow shooting. His children and grandchildren are all young artisans, contributing to the preservation of Co Tu brocade, music , and cuisine.
Commenting on village elder B'ríu Thiện, Ms. Đinh Thị Thìn, Deputy Secretary of the Party Branch of Bhơ Hôồng village, said: Village elder B'ríu Thiện is a spiritual "bridge" between the Party's will and the people's hearts, a typical figure in mobilizing people to develop the economy, eliminate outdated customs, raise legal awareness, and build community solidarity. 
The Da Nang City Police visited and presented gifts to village elder B'ríu Thiện for his contributions to maintaining security and order.
As evening falls in Bhơ Hôồng, peaceful houses nestle beneath Quế Mountain, surrounded by the vast and expansive mountain and forest landscape. In a small house adorned with portraits of President Ho Chi Minh and walls covered with certificates and awards, old Thiện still diligently weaves baskets. Outside, women teach children how to weave brocade; near the community center, young men and women joyfully dance to the rhythm of gongs… All combine to create a symphony of happy spring in this remote border region.
Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/coi-lim-gia-ben-bo-song-kon-2492059.html
