VietNamNet Bridge - Surrounded by poetic pine forest, Palace I, where Vietnam’s last emperor Bao Dai lived, is designed in a European style.

The palace is located on Tran Quang Dieu Street in Da Lat City.

Built in the 1940s, it is 4km from the city center to the southeast and located on a 1,550-meter hill full of pine trees. Its total area is about 60ha. It once belonged to a French millionaire who was an official – Robert Clément Bourgery. He had once been the boss of an electricity factory in Shanghai.

King Bao Dai bought it in August 1949 and renewed it. It became a general headquarters and an office for his subordinate officers.

Until 1956, Ngo Dinh Diem used it as a private palace as President. It was upgraded with a tunnel and more working rooms for his officers. The tunnel was also an emergency exit which opened to a small heliport.

Palace 1 is one of the original architectural works of Da Lat which expresses the neoclassical style of  Europe.

The palace re-opened for tourists last September after a long period of repair.

Photo: VNE

Pha Le