A thousand years old well and the oldest water transporter in Hoi An

A thousand years old well and the oldest water transporter in Hoi An

Nguyen Duong, who is 90 years old, still transport water from Ba Le well, Hoi An ancient town.

According to information from the Department of Culture, Information and Tourism of Quang Nam, Ba Le well was built by Cham people before the 10th century, with a depth of about 12 m, about 10 m². Currently, the well is located in a small alley on Phan Chu Trinh Street (Minh An Ward, Hoi An City), near the entrance to the old town.

Like the My Son Sanctuary, the binder of the well is made of mysterious material. Centuries have passed, the well is not damaged, the water circuit is clear, abundant and became a tourist attraction with this mystery.

Ba Le's ancient well remains today

The well is never dry

At first sight, deep wells are smoked, there is moss green mantle on the walls into walls. Unlike the common wells, the mouth of Ba Kei well is designed in the Cham architecture, with square shape.Previously, the well was a source of water for merchant ships from Persia, Japan ... Later, a female merchant in the village spent a large amount to restore wells today. According to the elders here, the well from this woman named rich.

The water in wells all year round is still full but not dry, dropping about three strangers is touching the face. The well is located in the small alley, but people still come to the well to get water.

Well water can be drunk directly

Thanks to no alum, most restaurants in Hoi An use this well water for cooking. According to a Hoi An, dishes that have become the food brand in Hoi An such as Cao Lau or Quang noodles are made from well water of Ba Le. "If it is not from this well water, it can not give the standard of the dish"Ms. Be, owner of a restaurant opened more than 20 years near the well also use water here to make tea to serve customers. "The source of this water is the center, the more we get out without knowing the reason," she said.

If you want to try water, you can find a family in Nguyen Thai Hoc with the words "well water for visitors" outside of the house.

The oldest water transporter in Vietnam

On December 4, 2014, the Vietnam Record Organization arrived in Hoi An to hand over presents and set up a record of willpower with Mr. Nguyen Duong, the longest-serving country in Vietnam. Up to now, even though he is 90 years old, he is still diligent and fun with this special job.

Started to work after 1975, Mr. Nguyen Duong is carrying water to restaurants, eateries or hotels, households. This work has been the main source of income for his wife and children for mental illness for the last several decades. Many people call him the "keeper of old town".


 
Early in the morning, he had to bring water to the restaurant in the old town.


The story of a man carrying water for decades to feed his family was a hot subject for many news media in and outside the country to find to record. Duong's image not only expresses energy, optimism in life but also enrich the traditional culture in Hoi An.


Up to now, Ba Le ancient wells and surrounding stories have been kept and handed down by the people. Not only bring valuable water to the people but well become a stop for visitors to explore the history of Hoi An.