Location: Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province
Characteristics: Da Lat has three magnificent, large palaces, which are simply referred to as Palace 1, Palace 2, and Palace 3. Located on the top of hills in beautiful natural surroundings, the palaces were built according to French design. They are accessible by long flights of brick steps, which are completely covered by a broad canopy of pine trees.
Palaces 1 and 2 were owned by high-ranking officials during the French colonial period. Palace 2 is a dignified building of modern design, built in 1933. Consisting of 25 rooms, the palace is now used as a guesthouse and for official receptions. Palace 2 is located up the hill from the intersection of Tran Hung Dao and Khoi Nghia Bac Son streets, 2km east of the centre of Da Lat.
Palace 3 was owned by the last king of the Nguyen Dynasty, Bao Dai. It is located on Le Hong Phong Road, 500m southeast of Pasteur Institute and 2km southwest of the centre of Da Lat.
Palace 3
The palace has 2 floors:
– The ground floor was used for organizing meetings, banquets or reception of foreign guests and government officials of Hoang Trieu Cuong Tho (Domain de la Couronne in French). Entering the 4m-wide main door, visitors reach the great hall and then reception room, King Bao Dai’s office, library, meeting room, working rooms and room for entertainment.
– The second floor was used as the private space of the royal family with bedrooms of King Bao Dai and his wife, Queen Nam Phuong, and their daughters and sons. Vong Nguyet Pavilion outside of the bedroom was a lovely place for watching the moon. The bedroom of Prince Bao Long was painted yellow and all decorations have the same colour since he was selected to ascend the throne.
Opening time: 7am – 5.30pm daily.
