Hoi An Ancient Cham Well: Location and Mysterious Stories

Hidden in a small alley in Hoi An is a historical relic, a witness to the cultural exchange between Champa and Dai Viet. The ancient Cham well, also known as Ba Le well.

Location and how to find Ba Le Well

Ba Le Well is quietly located in a small alley on Tran Hung Dao Street, near the Japanese Covered Bridge area. To find the well, visitors should ask local people or look for a small alley opposite a famous restaurant. This is not an easy address to find, but its hiddenness makes it even more special, separated from the hustle and bustle of the city. When entering the alley, you will immediately feel a peaceful, ancient space with a distinct character of Hoi An.

Origin and mysterious stories

Ba Le Well is currently located in a small alley near the Hoi An Museum. Image: TDK.

The origin of Ba Le Well is said to date back to the Champa period, hundreds of years ago. When the Vietnamese settled down, they continued to use and preserve this well as a priceless treasure. The well was built in the typical Cham architectural style, with a round cylinder and brick walls. Through the ups and downs of time, the well has continued to provide a source of clear and pure water.

It is this water source that has created legendary stories, making Ba Le Well a symbol of mystery:
The secret of Hoi An's delicacies: Locals tell each other that the secret to the distinctive flavors of Hoi An's famous dishes such as Cao Lau and Quang noodles is the fresh, cool water from Ba Le Well. The well water is used to soak rice and prepare spices, giving the noodles and Cao Lau a chewy, delicious texture and a distinctive flavor that cannot be confused.

Never dry: Despite experiencing severe droughts, Ba Le well has never run dry. Locals believe that the well's underground water is connected to a sacred stream from the Truong Son mountain range, bringing life and prosperity to this land.

Purifying Water: Many people believe that well water is not only physically pure but also has the ability to purify the soul. Drinking a sip of well water will bring a feeling of peace and soothe worries.
Value and meaning

Today, Ba Le Well is not only a historical relic but also an indispensable part of the cultural life of Hoi An people. It is not only a source of water but also a link between the past and the present, preserving traditional values ​​and culinary quintessence.

With its silence and mysterious stories, Ba Le Well invites visitors to explore a different perspective of Hoi An - a city that is not only splendid but also carries within itself profound historical stories that need to be listened to and cherished.

The Flow of History: Listening to Stories from Other Ancient Wells in Hoi An

Besides Ba Le Well, Hoi An also has many other ancient wells scattered in the old town area, traditional craft villages and neighboring islands. Although not as widely known as Ba Le Well, they still have great historical and cultural value. Some typical wells include:

Ancient well in Cam Nam: Some ancient wells are scattered in Cam Nam village, with square or round structures.

Wells of clans: Many clans in Hoi An still preserve their own ancient wells, considered ancestral heritage. An example is the Well of the Luu clan. 

Well in Thanh Ha pottery village: Thanh Ha pottery village also has ancient wells that play an important role in providing water for daily life and pottery production.

Wells in Cu Lao Cham island: On Cu Lao Cham island, there are also ancient wells that have existed for a long time, serving the daily life of islanders. 

Typical examples include:

• Xom Dinh Well: Located in Bai Lang.
• Forbidden Well: Located in Cam village.
• Hai Tang Pagoda Well: Located in Bai Lang.

The water from ancient wells in Hoi An all have a strange characteristic: very sweet and clear, even though many wells are located near rivers or brackish water areas. Currently, local authorities and people are still making efforts to preserve this precious heritage.