Buzz
The Dalat Teachers College is a familiar sight in wedding photos and tourist snapshots whenever they visit the city of a thousand flowers.
Located in Ward 10, Dalat City, Lam Dong Province, the Dalat Teachers College was established by the French in 1927, designed and supervised by architect Moncet, and completed in 8 years. Originally named Petit Lycée Dalat, it catered to the education of French children and some affluent Vietnamese families of that time. Today, this school is recognized as one of the 1,000 outstanding architectural landmarks of the 20th century.
In 1932, the school was renamed Grand Lycée de Dalat, and by 1935, it was called Lycée Yersin in memory of Dr. Alexandre Yersin, a French-Swiss physician who contributed to the establishment of Dalat City.
Later, the school was renamed Hung Vuong Education Center, now known as Dalat Teachers College, specializing in training managerial staff for preschools, primary schools, and secondary schools. The college offers various majors such as Computer Science Education, Mathematics, Chemistry, History, Literature, Art Education, and School Equipment Technology... Many Vietnamese luminaries have studied here, including Professor Trinh Xuan Thuan, an astrophysicist currently living in the United States.
The architecture of Dalat Teachers College is recognized by the International Union of Architects (UIA) as one of the 1,000 unique and exemplary architectural works of the 20th century. Describing this architectural marvel, the Indochine newspaper once wrote: 'It is a grand building that no one in Dalat can ignore.'
Nestled in the dreamy heart of Dalat City, the school stands out with its vast green spaces, creating a peaceful and romantic setting.
The highlight of the campus lies in its arc-shaped main lecture halls with a front length of 77.18 meters and a rear length of 89.8 meters, comprising three floors and 24 classrooms. The curved design of this arc-shaped building resembles the image of an open book, symbolizing the broad spread of knowledge, a curve of aspirations. At the end of this arc-shaped building is a 54-meter-high bell tower prominently rising amidst the vast greenery and blue of pine forests, symbolizing an aspiration for intellectual growth.
Adding to the uniqueness of this arc-shaped building are the red brick walls brought from Europe and the roof covered with tiles made from French clay. Looking from the outside, the walls of the house are intricately built with arched roofs in a harmonious proportion, creating a graceful beauty for the building block.
In addition to the main building, there are also parallel buildings, each about 2 to 3 stories high, used as auditoriums, laboratories, dormitories, etc.
Viewed from above, Dalat Pedagogical College resembles foreign schools due to its distinctive architecture and is surrounded by lush, stunning scenery of the misty city.
Overall, the entire campus is a unique architectural work with a strong European classical imprint, yet it also successfully combines many indigenous architectural details to create a harmonious architectural work blending Eastern and Western styles. With spacious, pristine spaces and harmonious, unique architecture, this college is not only an ideal place for study and research but also a magnet for all visitors.
Many people who come to Dalat affirm that among the schools in this plateau city, Dalat Pedagogical College is the most popular tourist attraction. People often come here to take photos, stroll around, and romantic couples come here for wedding photoshoots. On December 28, 2001, the Ministry of Culture and Information recognized Dalat Pedagogical College as a National Architectural Monument.
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Source: Travel Guide Mytour – By Knowledgeable Youth
