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Emperor Bao Dai's Do Son Palace in Hai Phong stands as the only royal residence in the North of the last king. Today, it serves as a captivating destination for exploration and discovery.
Captivated by the French architecture at Emperor Bao Dai's Do Son Palace in Hai Phong
Emperor Bao Dai's Do Son Palace, also known as Bao Dai Mansion, is situated on Vung Hill, Van Huong Ward, Do Son District, Hai Phong City. It is not only an architectural gem with French influences but also holds historical significance, preserving artifacts associated with the last king of feudal Vietnam.
Commissioned by the Indochina Governor General Pasquier in 1928 as a vacation retreat, the palace was gifted to King Bao Dai in 1949 and subsequently became his private residence.
From 1933 to 1954, King Bao Dai utilized this place for work and relaxation whenever he traveled to the North during his reign as emperor and later as the Head of State. In 1955, after the liberation of the North, Emperor Bao Dai's Do Son Palace was entrusted to the Ministry of Defense for administration. In 1984, the Ministry of Defense handed it over to the Do Son Tourism Joint Stock Company.
Having withstood various upheavals, the structure faced severe damage and significant deterioration. Thanks to the 1984 restoration project, it was returned to its original state. In 1999, the mansion opened its doors to visitors.
Emperor Bao Dai's Do Son Palace boasts French-style architecture, facing the sea, surrounded by a flower garden with lush, shaded trees. The entire estate spans over 3,700 square meters, with the palace itself covering 1,000 square meters, standing at a height of nearly 40 meters above sea level.
The reception room, located right off the entrance, is designed and decorated in a classic, elegant interior style. The palace's reception area for Emperor Bao Dai and Queen Nam Phuong is centrally arranged. Visitors can rent royal attire and sit on the throne for memorable photos.
The mansion consists of 1 basement and two above-ground levels. The basement includes cooking areas, storage, technical rooms, and quarters for the staff. The first floor features a living room, workspace, dining room, and the bedrooms of Emperor Bao Dai and Queen Nam Phuong.
The king and queen's bedrooms are adorned with gilded furnishings in a dominant yellow color palette. The interior decor in the rooms is preserved in its original state. To the left of the bedroom is a small room where the king enjoys the breeze and moonlit views.
Queen Nam Phuong's private room has a connecting door to Emperor Bao Dai's private room. Queen Nam Phuong, born Nguyen Huu Thi Lan, was the daughter of the prominent landowner Nguyen Huu Hao in Go Cong (Tien Giang). In 1949, she and her children moved to France. She passed away in France in 1963.
The second floor of this villa comprises private chambers for Prince Bao Long, Prince Bao Thang, and the three princesses Phuong Mai, Phuong Dung, Phuong Lien. Additionally, there is a room designated for royal functions by Nguyen De.
The grand dining room, often used for entertaining guests, retains its original size, layout, and furnishings, with the addition of a bar counter to cater to tourists. In the past, Queen Nam Phuong hosted standing banquets for dignitaries and the entire Indochina authority here.
Each year, the estate welcomes thousands of visitors exploring its wonders. Besides tours, visitors can also rent accommodations and host events at the residence where King Bao Dai once lived.
As per Mytour
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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour
MytourNovember 29, 2022
