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Da Lat, the land of mist, boasting Vietnam's finest climate. Thus, in the 1980s, even the French and the Nguyen dynasty kings chose this as their retreat. After Hoa Minzy's MV 'Can't Be Together for a Lifetime,' everyone knows about the tearful love story between the dashing King Bao Dai and Queen Nam Phuong in Da Lat's Bao Dai Palace and Nam Phuong Palace, attracting many visitors. However, few know that in Da Lat, King Bao Dai also dedicated a charming villa to Lady Phi Anh, as a token of his romantic affection for this consort. Join Thiên Nhân Travel to explore that palace when you travel to Da Lat!!!
Insight into the villa King Bao Dai bestowed upon Lady Phi Anh during a trip to Da Lat.
The beauty of Lady Phi Anh - the mistress of the dreamy villa.
Located on Quang Trung Street is a stone building with the only Spanish architecture in Da Lat. The villa is built in the Basque architectural style (Spain) on a spacious plot of land spanning thousands of square meters. The construction was inspired by a French official's idea, featuring 2 above-ground floors, a basement, and two building blocks. In 1940, during a vacation here, King Bao Dai repurchased the building from this official to gift it to Lady Phi Anh. Since then, the stone villa has also been known as the 'Phi Anh Villa'.
Situated at 1A and 1B Quang Trung, Ward 9, this villa's architecture harmoniously combines two houses connected by a crescent-shaped corridor. During their stay here, Lady Phi Anh and King Bao Dai had two children together. They are Nguyen Phuc Phuong Minh (born in 1950) and Nguyen Phuc Bao An (born in 1951).
On days with gray skies due to rain or fog, the villa blends seamlessly into the surroundings. But when the sun rises, the clear blue sky contrasts with the villa's gray-brown color, making it stand out and adding a unique touch to the plateau landscape.
The house features numerous small windows of various sizes and shapes around the walls, including square, round, rectangular, arched, and cross-shaped. The walls are built 60-80 cm thick. Granite stone is the primary material used for construction, giving the villa its dominant color palette.
The enchanting villa of Lady Phi Anh
Visitors will easily notice the distinctiveness of the Phi Anh Villa compared to the old buildings in Da Lat. While most villas scattered throughout Da Lat feature French architecture, this building is the only one left with Spanish architecture. After 1975, the villa became a collective residence for nearly ten households and was later abandoned for a long time. In 2007, a company took over the villa and carried out renovations.
During the renovation, many intricately carved bas-reliefs were discovered adorning the walls. Especially notable is a bas-relief of a Cham girl, about 1.5m tall, wearing a hat with three Cham-style towers, with three intact golden rings around her ankles, embossed on the vaulted wall near the main entrance. This is considered a mystery of the Phi Anh Villa, blending a decorative detail with the characteristic culture of the Far East within a Western architectural structure.
A villa exuding classic and nostalgic charm
Over time, the flowering vines cascading around the windows exude a distinctly Spanish architectural charm, making the space here truly romantic.
After nearly a century of existence, nobody knows the original designer or owner of this villa. In recent years, the Phi Anh Villa has become a point of interest for many domestic and international tourists, especially those fond of architectural marvels. Within this stone villa, there is a space dedicated to displaying portraits of Phi Anh and the young Emperor Bao Dai.
The villa's gate arch follows a Latin-style design.
Located near Da Lat Railway Station, you can combine a visit to these two historical sites in one trip. The villa is open all day and is currently available for rent as a restaurant, allowing visitors to explore the exterior without charge.
The picturesque corners of the last queen mother's villa from the Nguyen dynasty
Every corner of the house spawns breathtaking Instagram-worthy shots, from the lattice walls to the graceful swing, exuding feminine charm just like its owner. With its classic vibe, all you need is a flowing maxi dress and a bit of poise to capture a perfectly styled photo. If you're unsure how to pose, check out the article below!
Every nook and cranny of the villa yields 1001 stunning photos
The enchanting garden at the villa is as dreamy as it gets
Posted by: Nguyen Ngoc Diep
Keywords: Exploring King Bao Dai's villa gifted to Lady Phi Anh when traveling to Da Lat
