Mid-Autumn in the Heart of the Jungle: A Journey of Light and Kindness

This Mid-Autumn Festival VEN joined a meaningful trip called “Ánh rừng, ánh người” (Lights of the Forest, Lights of Compassion) A journey to bring warmth, joy, and hope to the children of Aur Village, a small Co Tu community hidden deep in the Truong Son mountains of Central Vietnam.

After more than 100 kilometers of winding mountain roads and forest trails, our team finally arrived in Aur. The village is surrounded by ancient trees and mountain mist, where daily life remains simple and close to nature. Many of the children here had never experienced a Mid-Autumn Festival before, so our goal was to bring them not only gifts and essentials, but also happiness and new memories.

As the sun went down, the sound of laughter filled the air. Drums beat through the forest while children held bright lanterns shaped like stars, rabbits, and moons. The gentle lights moved between the trees, turning the dark forest into a place full of colors and happy faces. In that moment, people from the lowlands and the highlands came together sharing joy, kindness, and friendship.

Beyond the celebration, VEN also took time to explore Aur Village and learn about the lives of the Co Tu people. They are guardians of many stories about the saola the rare and mysterious animal often called the “Asian unicorn.” For the Co Tu, the saola is a symbol of nature’s purity and Vietnam’s unique biodiversity. Protecting such wildlife is deeply linked to protecting the people who live closest to nature.

This trip was more than a charity visit; it was a reminder of VEN’s mission  to protect wildlife, support local communities, and build harmony between humans and the natural world. Each journey into the forest teaches us that compassion is not just an emotion  it is action, connection, and care for all living things.

As the last lantern lights faded into the night, one message remained bright in our hearts: when we share kindness, even the deepest forests can shine. Together, we can create a future where people and nature thrive side by side, guided by understanding and love.