Xo La Well—also known as the King’s Well or Gia Long Well—is located in Dong Hamlet, An Vinh Village, Ly Son District, Quang Ngai Province. Despite lying less than 10 meters from the sea at high tide, the well’s water remains fresh, clear, and cool throughout all seasons, and has never run dry, making it an invaluable freshwater source for generations of islanders.
The Legend of the King’s Well
According to local legend, after ascending the throne, Emperor Gia Long traveled along the central coast and visited Ly Son Island. At that time, the island was suffering from a severe drought. The emperor ordered a ritual to pray for rain, yet after many days, the heavens remained silent.
One night, the emperor reportedly received a divine message in his dream, revealing the location of a freshwater source. The next morning, he instructed his men to dig a well at the indicated spot—astonishingly close to the seashore. Villagers doubted the command, believing seawater would make the well brackish.
However, when the workers reached a depth of about five arm spans, a strong flow of freshwater suddenly burst forth. The emperor tasted it himself and confirmed it was sweet, pure, and remarkably cool. In gratitude, the islanders named it the King’s Well.
Historical Origins – A Cham Well Over 500 Years Old
While the legend of Emperor Gia Long is widely cherished, researchers agree that Xo La Well predates the Nguyen Dynasty by several centuries. Archaeological studies indicate that the well was built more than 500 years ago by the Cham people, who once inhabited Ly Son before the 15th century.
Xo La Well shares distinct features with Cham wells found throughout central Vietnam and offshore islands:
- round structure with a flared base
- built from coral stone and limestone
- sophisticated anti-salinity engineering
- consistent year-round freshwater, even near the sea
Historical records also show that many Cham wells on islands such as Cu Lao Re and Cu Lao Cham were used not only for daily life but also to supply freshwater to passing merchant ships—a practice Xo La Well may have been part of.
Cultural Value & Official Recognition
Beyond its role as a freshwater source, Xo La Well is a unique testament to:
- ancient Cham hydraulic engineering,
- the cultural and spiritual life of coastal communities,
- the long-standing maritime heritage of Ly Son Island.
For its exceptional historical and cultural significance, Xo La Well was officially recognized as a Provincial-Level Historical Relic by the People’s Committee of Quang Ngai Province under Decision No. 1601/QĐ-UBND dated August 29, 2017.
A Cultural Heritage Symbol of Ly Son
Today, Xo La Well remains well preserved and continues to serve the community. For visitors, it offers not only a rare natural phenomenon—a freshwater well beside the sea—but also a meaningful window into the island’s multi-layered history spanning more than half a millennium.
