Ancient wells supply water to 8,000 villagers on this Vietnamese island

Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporters followed a concrete path from the heart of Tam Hai to Thuan An Village, near Ban Than Cape, which is an attraction on the island, to reach the two ancient wells under the guidance of some locals.

On a clean and clear land lot, the journalists saw one of the two aged wells, which does not appear to be different from modern ones at first glance.

It is around ten meters deep and is made of brick, with a round mouth and a wall of concrete.

However, there is a horizontal cave down the well, according to locals.

A woman draws water from an ancient well facing south Tam Hai Island Commune, off Nui Thanh District in Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre

A woman draws water from an ancient well facing the southern part of Tam Hai Island Commune off Nui Thanh District in Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre

There is another smaller well located about 200 meters away in the opposite direction.

Locals refer to them as the North well and the South well.

The two ancient wells are believed to have existed since settlers started populating Tam Hai, meaning they have been in use for hundreds of years.

The wells have provided ample fresh water for local people, who have consumed the resource directly without any treatment, although the structures may run dry at times during the peak of the dry season.

The island currently does not have any other water supply system while all of the newly-dug wells are contaminated with iron and salt.

Therefore, the two ancient wells are the main source of water for over 8,000 Tam Hai islanders.

A man drinks water straight from an ancient well in Tam Hai Island Commune, off Nui Thanh District in Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre

A man drinks water straight from an ancient well in Tam Hai Island Commune off Nui Thanh District in Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre

The islanders have put in efforts to take care of the wells and renovate them over several occasions.

Households near the wells are allowed to use them for free, while those from farther away contribute VND1,000 (US$0.043) for each time they draw water.

The collected amount of cash contributions will be used for maintenance of the wells on a yearly basis.

The ancient wells have also become a tourist attraction alongside other scenic spots such as Ban Than Cape and coconut groves in the fishing commune of Tam Hai, which has recently gained popularity among travelers.

Visitors to the island can admire the closely-knit villages with small alleys leading to residential areas, where the daily life of the locals remains simple and peaceful.

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Two decades-old wells have been the main supply of fresh water for generations of residents of Tam Hai Island Commune off Nui Thanh District in Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam.