According to ancient lore, digging a well on Lý Sơn Island was once an impossible task. Yet when Emperor Gia Long personally traveled to the island and ordered his soldiers to dig into the earth while molding effigies to summon the spirits of the fallen Hoàng Sa–Trường Sa soldiers, something extraordinary happened:
A stream of crystal-clear freshwater suddenly burst forth from the pit. That miraculous spring became Giếng Tiền — the “Well of Wealth” — located in Tây Hamlet, An Vĩnh Commune.
What makes it even more remarkable is that the volcanic crater of Giếng Tiền has remained full of cool, sweet, pure water all year round, revered by locals as a sacred source of life.
The slopes of Giếng Tiền Mountain contain rare layers of red basalt soil. Islanders often bring this precious soil home to enrich their garlic and onion farms. On the mountain lies a small patch of red earth where no plant can grow. According to local belief, this is “sacred soil”—the pure earth once used to mold the effigies that called back the lost spirits of the Hoàng Sa naval militia.
Unlike the mostly barren lava-rock terrain of Mount Thới Lới, Giếng Tiền Mountain is lush and green throughout the year. The ancient volcanic cone rises about 86 meters and features a massive bowl-shaped crater spanning hundreds of meters—an exceptionally rare geological formation. From above, the unique symmetry of the crater, the greenery, and the surrounding seascape creates a breathtaking natural composition.
The basalt soil of Giếng Tiền is as fertile as that of the Central Highlands. Local farmers mix this soil with coastal sand to form a natural nutrient layer that nourishes Lý Sơn’s famous garlic crop—one of the secrets behind the island’s signature pungent, aromatic flavor.
Today, the Giếng Tiền volcano—with its greenery-covered crater, striking lava cliffs, and rich basalt layers—stands as a natural masterpiece found nowhere else, contributing to the unique beauty and mystical allure of Lý Sơn Island.
