Bao Dai’s Summer Palace III in Da Lat, Vietnam

The last king of Vietnam, Bao Dai, owned several properties in the hillside town of Da Lat, most notably the Summer Palace III or also known as Dinh III. As the name implies, this beautiful art Deco mansion which was constructed in the 1930’s served as the administrative hub and summer royal residence during the king’s reign. Bao Dai abdicated in 1945, after which he lived the rest of his life in France.

I personally admire this building for its modest elegance – it is not loud or garish or decorated with lavish ornaments, even though it has 25 rooms. Thus, its description as a ‘villa’ is more suitable than being called a ‘palace.’ With its serene location on an elevated hill 1,500 metres above sea level, set amidst a pine forest, the surrounding crisp and fresh air offers a cool, tranquil atmosphere to its beautiful, manicured gardens.

Before entering the building proper, visitors are provided with shoe covers – it reminded me of the American TV series Crime Scene Investigation (C.S.I) but in a positive way – as it demonstrates the government’s efforts to preserve this nearly 90-year building as a prominent historical and cultural site.

Stepping inside, it literally felt like I was travelling back in time. Everything has been left in its place as if the royal family picked up and vanished.

The ground floor includes formal spaces for receptions, guests’ waiting areas, offices, a library, study rooms, entertainment areas and a large dining room.

4c. Kings photo on display Dinh3 Vietnam

The king’s office features his desk with two vintage telephones. The one on the left was used by the king and the one right, was used by one of the former presidents Nguyen Van Thieu. The rows of international flags symbolise the friendships with many countries around the world.

Behind the desk is a bookshelf with abut of the king’s father and on the walls are swords of former imperial guards. Framed family photos are hung on the walls. Several artifacts are displayed in glass cabinets including embossed copper seals of the king.

I am particularly fond of a beautifully-engraved glass map of Vietnam, which was gifted to the king to in 1942 by Vietnamese students who were studying overseas. The map shows off intricate craftsmanship and the historical significance in key locations from north to south from Hanoi to Saigon.

The first floor of the palace was used as the private space of the royal family with bedrooms of King Bao Dai, his official wife and their three daughters and two sons.

The bedroom of the princes was painted yellow and all decorations have the same colour. As with the princesses’ room, it was all in pink.

The Queen Nam Phuong was a Roman Catholic as well as a beauty queen, spoke French and has a fascinating history. She visited the Vatican for an audience with the pope in 1939, wearing a gold-embroidered tunic and silver trousers which were against the norm at that time, and even now. Her bedroom is well-maintained including the altar where she prayed.

The king’s bedroom is absolutely humble for a monarch. The key feature of the bedroom is a moon-viewing balcony where the royal couple could appreciate viewing of the night sky as well as the surrounding gardens below.

However, the king was known to be a playboy and had eight other children with other ‘companions’, the last being a Frenchwoman with whom he had his last child, a son named Patrick-Edouard Bloch, born in 1958.

Other rooms which are open for public viewing include the queen’s embroidery room, the bathrooms, the nannie’s quarters and rest areas. However, the laundry room has an interesting feature – a standalone antique sauna machine!

Villa I and Villa II

When I visited, Villa I was closed for upgrading work. Villa II is not open to visitors as it is used as a government guest house. So, it was a privilege to have been able to visit Villa III.