Choose a pot large enough to accommodate the pork but not so large that the liquids spread thin. Heat oil in pot over medium high heat and brown pork on all sides. Remove from pan.
Turn heat to low and add the garlic, black pepper, ginger; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add cardamom, star anise and cinnamon and cook for 1 minute more.
Add chicken stock, coconut water, cilantro stems, soy sauce and brown sugar. Return pork to pot.
Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 2 hours or until pork easily falls off of bone.
Meanwhile, to make the chile vinegar, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar and chiles in a small bowl.
When pork is tender and falling off the bone, remove from pot and keep warm. Reduce sauce over medium heat, uncovered, to one-third of original volume; then remove and discard star anise.
Serve pork and its cooking juices over steamed rice; top with cilantro leaves and provide chile sauce on the side.