.jpg?width=1600)
Hội An cao lầu
Cao lầu · Hội An, Vietnam
Noodles said to be made only with water from Hội An's ancient well.
Know before you go
- Don't stand your chopsticks upright in the bowl
- don't be loud in old-town shops
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
Legend
Only water from the Bá Lễ well will do
A local legend in Hội An says the lye water for cao lầu noodles must be leached from the ash of certain plants on the nearby Chàm Islands, and the water for soaking the rice and cooking the noodles must come from Hội An's ancient Bá Lễ well. So true cao lầu can only be made in Hội An.
Source: Wikipedia: Cao lầu
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
Cao lầu is Hội An's local noodle dish: rice is first soaked in lye water, then made into noodles at least 10 cm long and half a centimetre wide, soaked for hours, rinsed and cooked. Local legend says the lye must come from the ashes of certain plants on the nearby Cham Islands, and the water for soaking the rice and cooking the noodles must come from Hội An's ancient Bá Lễ well — so true cao lầu can only be made in Hội An.
Local customs
The noodles are tossed with a little broth, char siu pork, herbs and crispy rice crackers
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
Vietnam: don't take photos near military bases
- Put your camera away when you see a military area
- Taking photos near military bases
Travel near military bases is also restricted.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Vietnam travel advice
Vietnam: helmets are compulsory on motorbikes
- Riders and passengers must both wear helmets
- Riding or being a passenger without a helmet
- Drink-driving
Riding without a helmet is illegal; drink-driving can bring a fine or even prison, and after an accident you may be barred from leaving the country.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Vietnam travel advice
Vietnam: e-cigarettes are banned
- Leave your e-cigarette at home before you travel
- Bringing in or buying e-cigarettes
E-cigarettes and related products are banned.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Vietnam travel advice
Don’t DON'T
- Don't stand your chopsticks upright in the bowl
- don't be loud in old-town shops
Locals appreciate DO
People in Hội An appreciate visitors who savour it slowly in the old town's little shops.
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- Many small shops and the market in the old town sell it
- it's most authentic with a glass of iced tea. Prices and opening hours are set by each shop
- popular old places often have queues, so go outside peak mealtimes.
Sources & verification notes
More in Southeast Asia
Also nearby
_-_Pho_Hanoi_Authentic_2024-12-01.jpg?width=800)
Phở
A noodle soup that appeared in northern Vietnam only in the early 20th century, shaped by French and Chinese influences.
Nasi lemak
Malaysia's national dish: rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan, with sambal.
Hainanese chicken rice
Hainanese immigrants brought Wenchang chicken to the Nanyang, where it became Singapore's national dish.