Phu Luu Village in Bac Ninh Province is known for a number of reasons, including betel and areca trading, Vietnamese specialties in the past; raising intellectuals and popular artists; and still holding on to its cultural traditions despite being already urbanized.

Phu Luu Village is also called Giau Village or Giau Market. It is home to about 4,000 people. Since the 15^th century, it has been a bustling trading community, so much so that by the 19^th century, it developed into one of the largest markets in Vietnam. Anything and everything was sold and bought such as cloth, groceries, cattle, fish, shrimp, meat, ploughs and silk. Buying and selling were so strong and common in the place that even house yards were transformed into trading areas. Phu Luu residents were also into woodwork and cooking. As such, they grew to be skilled businessmen.

Located in the middle of the Northern delta region which is the capital of wet rice civilization, Phu Luu is considered an “open” area and therefore receptive to urbanization. But surprisingly, the village has managed to preserve its “essence” in terms of culture and tradition. However, since most women in the village worked in farms far away from their homes, they chose to have their children adopted in order to have someone take care of them.

Despite or maybe because of their extensive trading practices, Phu Luu residents are adept at learning, producing highly intellectual individuals who eventually land powerful positions in the national industry. Some of the famous people from Phu Luu Village are Hoang Tich Chu and Thanh Chuong who are popular painters; writers Kim Lan and Nguyen Dang Bay; and musician Ho Bac.

Maintaining its original historical and cultural identity, Phu Luu is characterized by communal houses with opcurved roofs and positioned under fig trees; alleys paved with green stones; the Phap Quang Pagoda which is very old but still majestic with its bell tower and (albeit) moss-covered walls; and elegant temples.

Developed yet grounded, opulent but hardworking, it’s no wonder that Phu Luu Village is an important part of Bac Ninh Province.