Bao Dai’s Palace

The Dalat summer retreat of Vietnam’s last emperor, Bao Dai. It’s a special piece of art-deco architecture with a simple museum, plenty of kitsch but not much information. Vietnam’s last Emperor, Bao Dai built a network of retreats at scenic spots around the country. His Summer Palace in Dalat was said to be a favourite on account of his interest in hunting. In those days, the wooded hills around Dalat were home to a rich list of prey including tigers and elephants. Bao Dai’s summer palace was built in 1933 when the Emperor was just 20 years old. It’s a definitive piece of Vietnam art-deco architecture. The interior features pieces of period furnishing though it’s difficult to know of its authenticity. There are also photos of Bao Dai and his family.   History and location The palace was built from 1933 to 1937 under the dynasty of King Bao Dai, the last king of Vietnam feudal court. The palace was designed in the art deco style and lies in the middle of a pine forest near the Pasteur Institute. In the past, this villa was constructed as a retreating place King Bao Dai and his royal family to escape the summer heat but after 1950, when the French colonial came back to Vietnam, the palace occupied a role as the office and house of the king. Today, tourists can find it on Trieu Viet Vuong St. What to see Visiting this 2 stories structure, travelers will have a chance to discover the living of the royal family through 25 rooms and its amenities. The ground floor is the working place of the king. It consists of the office room, the guest room and the reception room. Upstairs is the living space of the king and his family. The bedroom of the king also has a gorgeous balcony called the watching moon balcony where the king and the queen could appreciate the moonlight. Each of the room reflects the characteristics and status of the owner: the eldest son’s room is painted yellow and considered luxurious at that time, the Queen’s room can be easily identified with her feminine touch Inside the palace, there are many valuable items still preserved in good condition. They include several sculptures of royal family, the life-size white bust of Bao Dai himself and a smaller gold and brown bust of his father Khai Dinh, picture of Angkor Wat given to King Bao Dai by King Sihanouk of Cambodia and an engraved glass map of Vietnam, to name a few. How to get there Bao Dai Summer’s Palace is considered one of the most famous attractions of the Da Lat. Visitors can easily get there in a few minutes from Dalat central market by taxi or xe om. The opening time is from 7 to 11am and 1.30 to 4pm. The entry fee is US$1. There is an additional fee for bringing camera. Shoes must be removed at door.