Find Your Soulmate at Cu Lao Cham’s Ancient Well

For generations, locals believe that single people who fetch water from the ancient well will soon find their true love.
September 01, 2021 | 08:37
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Cu Lao Cham’s Ancient Well - Must-visit Place with Interesting Mysteries
The well's special features have attracted a lot of visitors. Photo: Vietnam Times.

Xom Cam Well, located in Cam hamlet, Cu Lao Cham, is reportedly the only drinking water well on the island. It is one of the four major destinations of Cu Lao Cham tour.

It was dug 2 hundred years ago by Cham people but even now, it still works well and the locals can use its fresh water. Its architecture is not different from other Cham wells with a pipe shape, annular bricks management, a square pillar, and a surrounding square base. Even during the dry season, people can still use water from this well for different purposes, according to Vietnam Discovery.

Cu Lao Cham’s Ancient Well - Must-visit Place with Interesting Mysteries
Xom Cam Well was recognized as a national monument in 2006. Photo: Vietnam Times.

Local people often spread the word that any single man or woman can find their true love after drinking water in Xom Cam well. Nobody is sure whether the rumor is true or not, but it has been passed down for generations, attracting many curious visitors. Additionally, water from the well boiled with forest leaves is said to cure seasickness.

Xom Cam well reportedly never runs dry. It provides abundant freshwater for not only local households but also boat and ship crew going past. The ancient well was recognized as a national monument in 2006.

Cu Lao Cham’s Ancient Well - Must-visit Place with Interesting Mysteries
Water from Xom Cam Island boiled with forest leaves is said to cure seasickness. Photo: Vietnam Times

More about Cu Lao Cham island

Cu Lao Cham island consists of 8 islets, 20 km off the coast from Hoi An Ancient Town in Quang Binh Province. It has wonderful sand beaches, forested hills, a nature reserve and the sea. With primitive landscapes, the island is ideal for camping, swimming and scuba diving to enjoy the corals and beautiful marine life.

Cham island comprises an archipelago of one large island and seven smaller islands: Hon Dai, Hon Lao, Hon Kho Me, Hon La, Hon Kho Con, Hon Ong, Hon Tai, Hon Mo. The largest island of them is Hon Lao, which covers 1,317 ha and has a circular shape at the height of 500m. There are nice beaches at Bim and Ong beach.

Cu Lao Cham’s Ancient Well - Must-visit Place with Interesting Mysteries
Photo: Luco Travel

The island is a place where shelter for value swallow birds. The natural vegetation of the islands is a lowland evergreen forest, which is natural with a lot of woods and rare animals.

It is also home to salanganes, birds whose nests have long been considered a delicacy by aristocrats and the wealthy. The nests may cost as much as US $4,000 per kilogram. On a beautiful day, tourists are able to see cliffs where salanganes build their nests and talk with salangane-nest takers.

Cu Lao Cham’s Ancient Well - Must-visit Place with Interesting Mysteries
Nhum is a specialty of Cu Lao Cham island. Photo: Vietnam Discovery.

Around the island has a lot of color corals under the water. Situated in a salty-water area, this square-bottom well, amazingly, provides clear freshwater all year round. Visiting Cu Lao Cham, tourists have a chance to view the sea swallows’ nests clinging to the towering cliffs. Cu Lao Cham wins kudos for its seafood and delicacies (octopuses, lobsters, fish’s fin, abalone, kaki, hind, cholonia’s eggs, bird’s nests) and fascinating souvenirs (pearls, conchs, tortoise-shells).

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