Tucked away in an alleyway within the Hoi An Old Town, Ba Le Well is one of the oldest wells of the city. It’s known for fresh and clear water that is a must-have ingredient to make local dishes, such as Cao Lau noodles. By that, many visitors would like to see it and listen to interesting stories about it. In this article, HoiAn Day Trip Company will tell you everything that you need to know about Ba Le Well in Hoi An.
You may also like: Must Sees in Hoi An Old Town, Vietnam
• Content by Tam Le, founder of HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD
• Designed by Giang Cong Minh, co-founder of LS E&C LTD and his team
• Photo by Dang Cong Loi, Dao Xuan Son, Tam Le & others
Must Knows about Ba Le Well in Hoi An
– Location/address: near the Black Sesame Demonstration at 45/17 Tran Hung Dao St, inside Ba Le alleyway, Minh An ward, Hoi An, Vietnam
– Other name(s): Ba Le Ancient Well, Gieng Ba Le, Hoi An Ancient Well
– Opening hours: 24hrs a day, 7 days a week
– Ticket price: free
– Type: dug well, public well, squared well, heritage well
– Age: 1,100-1,200 years
– Depth: 4 meters (100cm above the ground)
– Reason(s) to visit: Ba Le Well is the oldest and most famous well in Hoi An
– Best time to visit: anytime during the day
– Time to spend: 10 mins
– Travel blog: https://hoiandaytrip.com/ba-le-well-hoi-an
– Recognition(s): Vietnam’s national heritage, Unesco world heritage site
– Food & drink: yes available
– Shopping: no
– Fact: The alleyway leading to Ba Le Well is named after it
Ba Le Well on Map
History & Design of Ba Le Ancient Well
Ba Le Well is a dug, public and squared well, built in the 8th-9th centuries by Cham people. They owned and lived in the area from the 2nd century to the early 14th century. They used bricks without lime or mortar to construct the well, and ironwood panels to place in the bottom, in order to keep the water always clean and clear. The depth of Ba Le Well is 4 meters below the surface. One of its sides lies tightly to the back wall and the window of a house. If the owners of that house open the window, they can get water from the well easily by bucket and rope. It’s so convenient.
In the early 20th century, a Vietnamese woman who lived nearby, paid 100 French Indochina piastre (currency of the French Indochina Federation from 1885 to 1954) to renovate Ba Le Well. Later, it’s named after her to express gratitude from the local community. Until now, this is the only ‘heritage’ well in Hoi An which has the name of a person.
Until today, local inhabitants in the Hoi An Old Town still believe that the water from Ba Le Well is the finest for cooking foods and herbal drinks, especially Hoi An’s specialty dishes. For that reason, somebody carries the water from this well to sell as a profession.
At the well now, locals put incense burners to worship ‘well god’, to have fresh water to use all year around.
Use of Ba Le Well Water in Hoi An Local Cuisine
The water of Ba Le Well is a must have ingredient to make these dishes in Hoi An:
– Cao Lau noodles: local noodle makers in Hoi An will soak rice in fresh water from Ba Le Well, along with wood ash imported from Cham Islands. They believe that the water is clean, free from pollution and alum. After many steps, fresh noodle sticks (called cao lau noodles) are combined with char siu pork belly, crackers, Tra Que herbs and savoury sauce, to make the signature noodle dish of Hoi An. Nowhere else in the world, visitors can find the same. Historians also believe that Cao Lau is a fusion between Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese cuisines. See more information & details
– Hoi An style chicken rice: local makers will boil chicken in a pot of fresh water from Ba Le Well. After that, the boiling water left is reused, and mixed with rice to steam. The steamed rice then has a mouth-watering yellow color. A plate of Hoi An style chicken rice includes a bowl of yellow rice, chopped or shredded chicken, shredded green papaya, sliced white onion, and peppermints. A part of chicken boiling water is used to cook a soup that is served as a side dish. See more information & details
– Black sesame soup (xi ma phu): local makers will use fresh water from Ba Le Well to cook with roasting sesame, arrowroot powder (bot san day), cheese plant (la mo tam the), pennywort (rau ma), sweet potato, cane sugar to make the black sesame soup. This food originates from Canton in China. Next to Ba Le Well, a family daily uses its water to cook it and sell it near the Hoi An Catholic Church. See more information & details
– Mi Quang noodles: local people use fresh water from Ba Le Well (if possible) to make the broth of Mi Quang noodles. Noodle sticks are made of rice, soft, and served with shrimp, pork, quail eggs, savoury broth, rice cracker, and herbs. This noodle dish is typical to the province, and seen in many restaurants outside Vietnam. See more information & details
– Mot herbal drink: a local family in the Old Town uses fresh water from Ba Le Well and other herbs to make this flavourful and refreshing drink. The combination is only a perfect beverage on hot days, but also good for health. Herbs used include lemongrass, ginger, fresh tea leaves, licorice root, monk fruit, lime/lemon, and more. The recipe is secret, so visitors need to come to the right place to try this herbal beverage (the family sells at 150 Tran Phu St now). See more information & details
Story about Ba Le Well Water Carriers
Water from Ba Le Well is needed to make local dishes in Hoi An, especially Cao Lau noodles. Therefore, many people come to this well, to take and carry water to restaurants to sell. The work becomes a source of income for them. Today, when tap water becomes popular, just a few carriers keep it.
Before the 2010s, nobody in Hoi An didn’t know Nguyen Duong and his wife Le Thi My as well water carrier. They walked around the town and carried two buckets of full water by a shoulder pole, from Ba Le Well to local restaurants. Everyday, they woke up at 4-5 to 7-8 am to start a new working day. Nguyen Duong was born in 1931 at Hoi An, and in Ho Chi Minh city, met his wife whose hometown isn’t far from Hoi An. After got married and returning to the town, he lived in a house 50 meters away from Ba Le Well. Since then, carrying water from this well has become their work to earn for living. People would pay a small amount of money for a bucket of full water. Later, his wife and his son got ill and locals only saw him on the streets. In 2019, Nguyen Duong passed away but the image of his walk is always in memory of Hoi An locals.
On 4th December 2014, Nguyen Duong received a Vietnam Guiness record ‘the water carrier who worked in the longest time’. He did the work for over 60 years.
His only son, named Nguyen Quoc, followed him since a kid. After his death, Quoc suceeded the work as a well water carrier. The reason was to have an income for his life and for his mother whose age was more than 90. Because of congenital neurological problems, neighbours didn’t believe that Quoc could do it for many years. However, he could do it.
Another carrier is Huynh Ngoc Noi (man). He was borned in Hoi An and then adopted by a woman who carried water from Ba Le Well to sell. At age of 13, he followed her and succeeded her work later. Everyday, he uses a bicycle to carry buckets or cans of water to sell around the town. His ‘experience’ is over 40 years.
Both Quoc and Noi are the last water carriers in Hoi An nowadays.
Other Ancient Wells in Hoi An Old Town
In and around the Hoi An Ancient Town world heritage site area, 80 old wells are found. They are also important historical sites, besides temples and old houses;
Right at the main entrance of the Hoi An Central Market, there is Gieng Mai (the ‘Covered Well’ or ‘Roofed Well’) because it has a pavilion-like building covering it. According to local people, it’s older than the market behind that was constructed around 1848. So, meaning that its age is more than 170 years. Today, fresh water is still produced. Sellers and food makers in the market use this water for cooking and washing. In the past, merchants and seafarers went here to drink and bring water to their ships. About the type, it’s a circle well, a public well, and a covered well.
In Cham Islands, a group of offshore islands in Hoi An, Gieng Xom Cam (‘Well of the Forbidden Hamlet’) was recognized as national heritage in 2006. It’s built by Cham people between the 7th and 10th centuries and then reused by Vietnamese people after the 15th-16th centuries. It still produces fresh water for islanders. Fishermen here believe that if they drink the tea made by water from this well and wild plants from the forest, they won’t get seasick and have better health. The beverage is called Cham Islands ice tea. In history, ships of foreign merchants stopped at this island first, and then went to Hoi An port via the river. During the layover, they bought food and took fresh water from the well to use later. About the type, Xom Cam Well is a circle well, or ‘upper circle, lower squared’, a public well and a heritage well.
In Tra Que Vegetable Village, north of Hoi An Old Town, visitors can see a square stone well. This well is known as Tra Que Stone Well by that. It’s built by Cham people around the 10th century (not confirmed yet) and is still producing water. Local farmers have been using the water from here to water vegetables and herbs and for cooking. Its mouth diameter is 1 meters, and its depth is 4 meters below the surface.
In the Old House of Tan Ky, a well is designed in its middle courtyard. Family members can take water from here to drink, cook, wash and take a shower.
Besides that, visitors can see old wells in Kazik Park, Hoi An Communal House, Old House at 685 Hai Ba Trung street, Quan Cong Temple, Minh Huong Communal House, Tran Family Chapel, Nguyen Tuong Family Chapel, Xuan Lam Communal House (near the giant banyan tree), the old house at 96 Nguyen Thai Hoc St, behind Madam Khanh restaurant, behind Cao Lau Thanh restaurant, etc.
How to Get to Ba Le Well in Hoi An Old Town
Ba Le Well and Black Sesame Soup Demonstration is at 45/17 Tran Hung Dao street, Minh An ward, Hoi An city, Vietnam. They lie within the Hoi An Ancient Town world heritage site area.
From Hoi An, visitors can go to Ba Le Ancient Well by walking, bicycle, motorcycle, taxi/car, electric bus, shuttle bus of the hotel/resort, cyclo, bus/minivan. This attraction is NOT in the pedestrian zone, but in a small alleyway, so walking, riding the bicycle or motorcycle are ways to get there directly. Just park in the yard of the house. If take other vehicles, visitors should go to the Hoi An Museum of History & Culture, and then walk to the demonstration. The distance is just 100 meters from the museum.
From Da Nang, the distance to Ba Le Ancient Well in Hoi An is some 30 kilometers, to the south. Visitors often choose a car or ride the motorbike by themselves. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/zalo/line) to book a private roundtrip transfer by car.
HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD daily organizes transfers to Hoi An and Da Nang. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
Itinerary to Visit Hoi An Old Town for First Timer
First of all, to enter and visit the Hoi An Old Town (the part inscribed by Unesco), visitors need to buy an entry ticket. Its price is 120,000 VND per adult and children above 15 years old and free of charge for smaller kids. Entry to 5 attractions is also included for free. See more information & details
If possible, first time visitors should go with a local guide, to know better about history and culture. Contact us by +84968009827 (call/whatsapp) to book a private English-speaking guide.
We suggest this itinerary for first timers:
Total distance: 1,65 kilometers
– Starting point: the Japanese style gate (the west end of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street). A model of the Red Seal Ship (Japanese merchant’s ship) and a ticket office are in a close distance.
– Walk along Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street. On this road, visitors will have the chance to sightsee Cam Pho Communal House (ticket required), Japanese Culture Gallery (ticket required), Phung Hung Old House (one of the best heritage houses, ticket required), Nguyen Tuong Family Chapel (in the alleyway, ticket required).
– Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, the symbol of Hoi An. This place definitely is a must see attraction.
– Walk along Tran Phu Street, the most beautiful road in Hoi An, until Hoi An Central Market. On this road, visitors will have the chance to sightsee so many historical attractions. From the bridge to the market, there are Cantonese Assembly Hall (ticket required), Museum of Sa Huynh Culture (ticket required), Duc An Old House (ticket required), Kazik Park (free), Quan Thang Old House (ticket required), Museum of Trade Ceramics (ticket required), Trung Hoa Assembly Hall (ticket required), Fujian Assembly Hall (ticket required), Quan Cong Temple (ticket required), Quan Am Pagoda (ticket required), Hoi An Central Market (free to enter), a couple of rooftop coffee shops, Instagrammable spots, shophouses selling lanterns, food, souvenirs and fashion items.
– Walk southwards and along Tieu La Street (east side of Hoi An Central Market). On this road, there are many vendors and stalls selling a diversity of local products, giving a good chance to know about local life and photograph.
– Walk westwards and along Bach Dang Street (the riverside street). On this road, visitors will see Hoi An Traditional Performance House (ticket required if want to watch shows) and Museum of Folklore (ticket required).
– Turn into Le Loi Street and then turn left, walking along Nguyen Thai Hoc Street. On this road, visitors will see Tan Ky Old House (one of the best heritage houses, ticket required) and Diep Dong Nguyen Old House (not yet opened to visitors, see from outside).
– The ending point: the crossroad near the north end of An Hoi Bridge or the west end of Nguyen Thai Hoc Street. In the evening, from here, visitors can walk cross the bridge and then turn right to see the entrance of the Hoi An Night Market, the biggest night market in Hoi An.
For more information and details, please browse https://hoiandaytrip.com/hoi-an-self-guided-walking-tour
Guided Tours to Hoi An Ancient Town Vietnam
From Hoi An
– Hoi An Old Town Walking Tour – 2 Hour Express Tour with Local
– Hoi An Half Day Walking Tour: Heritage Sites, Crafts & Show
– Hoi An Early Morning Walking Tour with Local Pho & Coffee
– Hoi An Afternoon Walking Tour + Thu Bon River Sunset Cruise
– Hoi An Night Tour from Hoi An: Lantern Boat, Markets & Food
– Hoi An Walking Tour with Sightseeing & Cooking Class
– Hoi An Late Afternoon Walking Tour with Local Food Tastings
– Hoi An Walking Tour with Thanh Ha Pottery Village by Boat
– Hoi An Instagram Tour: Best Photo Spots & Rooftop Café
– Hoi An Old Town Food Tour with Night Boat Ride
– Hoi An Old Town Private Walking Tour with Local Expert (4 hours duration from departure time)
HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD daily organizes tours in Hoi An and Da Nang. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
From Da Nang
– Hoi An Half Day Tour from Da Nang
– Hoi An Night Tour from Da Nang
– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Day Tour from Da Nang
– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Night Tour from Da Nang
– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Highlights Tour
– Marble Mountain, Lady Buddha & Hoi An Day Tour from Da Nang
– Hoi An Day Tour from Da Nang with Chinese Speaking Guide
– My Son Sanctuary & Hoi An Tour from Da Nang
– Golden Bridge/Ba Na Hills Tour & Hoi An Tour from Da Nang
– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Tour from Da Nang Cruise Port
– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Tour from Chan May Cruise Port
HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD daily organizes tours in Hoi An and Da Nang. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
Places to Visit near Ba Le Well in Hoi An
– Bridges: Japanese Covered Bridge (Pagoda Bridge), Moonlight Bridge, An Hoi Bridge (Bridge of Lights), Cam Nam Bridge, Cam Kim Metal Bridge
– Museums: Museum of Sa Huynh Culture, Museum of Sa Folklore, Museum of Trade Ceramics, Museum of Traditional Medicine, Hoi An Museum of History & Culture, Japanese Culture Gallery, Black Sesame Soup Demonstration
– Chinese assembly halls: Cantonese Assembly Hall, Fujian Assembly Hall, Trung Hoa Assembly Hall, Hainan Assembly Hall, Teochew Assembly Hall
– Heritage houses: Tan Ky Old House, Phung Hung Old House, Duc An Old House, Quan Thang Ancient House, Diep Dong Nguyen House, Thai Phien Ancient House
– Temples & pagodas: Quan Cong Temple (Ong Pagoda), Ba Mu Temple, Phap Bao Pagoda, Quan Am Pagoda, Hoi An Confucius Temple, Cao Dai Temple of Hoi An, Hoi An Ancestral Temple, Cam Pho Confucius Temple, Minh Huong Confucius Temple, Vien Giac Pagoda, Hy Hoa Temple
– Family chapels: Tran Family Chapel, Nguyen Tuong Family Chapel
– Communal houses: Cam Pho Communal House, Hoi An Communal House, Minh Huong Communal House, Tu Le Communal House, Xuan Lam Communal House, Son Phong Communal House
– Markets: Hoi An Central Market, Hoi An Cloth/Fabric Market, Hoi An Night Market (Nguyen Hoang Night Market), Cam Pho Market
– Theatres: Hoi An Traditional Art Performance House, Hoi An Lune Center for Performing Arts (now where Teh Dar Show takes place), Hoi An Memories Land Theme Park (now where Hoi An Memories Show takes place)
– Famous streets: Tran Phu Street, Phan Chu Trinh Street, Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Bach Dang Street/Wharf, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa Street, Phan Boi Chau Street (Hoi An French Quarter), Hoi An Lantern Streets
– Other points of interest: Red Seal Ship Model, Hoi An Evanlegical Church, Thong Dang Prison & Park, Kazik Park (Memory Statue of Kazimierz Kwiatkowski), Hoai River (Hoi An River), Song Hoai Square, An Hoi Sculpture Park, Hoi An Catholic Church, Hoi An Prison, Hoi An Central Park, Ba Le Well, Hoi An Book Street, Hoi An Lantern Park, An Hoi Island, Cam Nam Island, Thu Bon River, Da Ken Tree
Photos, Videos about Ba Le Well in Hoi An
Here are beautiful photos and videos about Ba Le Well in Hoi An:
