Bao Dai Villas in Nha Trang: a Symbiosis of French Architecture and Vietnamese Hard Work
Bao Dai Villas is the summer residence of the last Vietnamese emperor of the Nguyen dynasty. The convenient location on the hills will allow you to enjoy the panoramic view of the bay, and a leisurely walk in the silence of the park will give you a sense of peace and the opportunity to recover from the hustle and bustle of the European quarter.
It is no secret that the French colonization left a big mark in the history of Vietnam: Latin, crispy baguettes, delicious pastries, coffee production, winemaking traditions and, of course, architectural heritage. One of the most interesting examples of the combination of French architecture and oriental horticultural traditions are Bao Dai villas.
How to Get There and Price List
The villas are located in the southern part of the city, near the port and the Museum of Oceanography.
Museum Schedule: from 07:00 to 17:00.
You can get there by bus number 4, going in a direction from the center towards the cable car to Vinpearl. The stop is called “Bao Dai”. Show the name of the conductor or the bus driver, and they will prompt you where to go.
The fare on the city bus – 7 000 dong.
The cost of a taxi from 40 000 dong.
Story
The appearance of the villa is obliged to the Institute of Oceanography established in 1923. For the professorial elite of the institute it was decided to build mansions. In total, according to the plan, 5 villas were built, each of which was named in its own way, in honor of the plant or other object of research studied at that time. The architect of the project was the Frenchman A. Krem, and the improvement of the park was entrusted to Vietnamese agronomists and gardeners.
In the future, the imperial family showed interest in the complex. So the villas became the summer residence of Bao Dai, where he spent time with his large family. Business meetings were also scheduled there.
In 1945, after the emperor abdicated the throne, the villas were not ignored and were almost immediately evaluated by government officials in South Vietnam, and later by the leaders of the Communist Party. Largely due to this, it was possible to keep the buildings and the park area in excellent condition.
What to see
Of greatest interest to visit is the villa-museum, where anyone can get acquainted with the history of Emperor Bao Dai and his family: the museum has a collection of personal belongings, a large number of photographs and documents.
The decoration of the villa may seem unnecessarily ascetic, without the usual attributes of luxury. However, the atmosphere is quite cozy.
The remaining villas are equipped under a luxury hotel, with a beautiful area. Anyone can book a room in the hotel and take a daily walk to the beach where the imperial family used to rest.
The location on the hills and the presence of the observation platform gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy a stunning view of the bay, and bright photos provide an additional bonus. The light sea breeze, the tropical freshness of shady trees, the absence of tourist crowds are all components of the wonderful walk that Bao Dai’s villas in Nyachang offer.