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From a restaurant to a king's resting place.
Few people know that, before becoming a villa named after the last king, this place was once a restaurant called Maison Lefévre (before 1905). In 1914, the site was chosen to build the District Attorney's Office under Commissioner Sabatier, and then further renovated by Commissioner Giran in 1926, becoming the office that locals call Sang Ae Prong (The Big Boss's House).
The Bảo Đại Palace as seen from the grounds of the Đắk Lắk Museum.
In 1947, when the French brought Bảo Đại back to Vietnam as Head of State, he chose Buôn Ma Thuột as his residence. From November 1947 to May 1948, the king stayed and worked in this building for nearly eight months. Later, he often returned at the beginning of each rainy season to rest and go hunting. It is from these experiences that the building came to be known as the Bảo Đại Palace – one of the palaces that the king owned throughout the country.
Harmonious architecture, lush green spaces.
Spanning nearly 6.5 hectares, the villa complex comprises a main building and an elephant stable, built on an artificial mound nearly 2 meters higher than the surrounding grounds. Seen from afar, the gently sloping steps leading to the villa seem to guide the visitor's footsteps, evoking a sense of tranquility amidst the mountains and forests.
The unique feature of the building lies in the combination of traditional Central Highlands architecture with the rustic charm of the Ede longhouse and the sophistication of European style. With a construction area of 1,514 square meters.m2The villa exudes both the classic charm of the mountains and forests, while retaining the elegance of a royal residence.
The villa was built in the style of the Ede longhouse.
Royal touches in every room.
As visitors walk through each room, they can feel the lingering breath of a golden age. Many spaces remain almost in their original state, with items associated with the life of the last emperor. On the large bed covered with exquisite bedding, every stitch and pattern evokes the elaborate and luxurious atmosphere of the royal palace.
The king's bedroom in the palace.
In the living room, two portraits of King Bao Dai and Queen Nam Phuong are prominently displayed, along with many precious mementos such as military books, national flags of various countries, and a photograph of the return of the royal seal. The meticulously carved wooden chairs, adorned with ivory motifs, create an air of regal elegance while still harmonizing with the Tây Nguyên (Central Highlands) mountains and forests.
The living room in the villa features two portraits of King Bao Dai and Queen Nam Phuong.
On the walls, deer heads, hunting rifles, and photographs of the trophies are proudly displayed, bearing witness to Emperor Bao Dai's passion for hunting. Beside them are sets of gold and ivory-white porcelain teacups and teapots with delicate patterns, once used in important receptions.
Particularly, within that space, one can also see a blend with local culture: a simple rattan basket leaning against the corner of the house, an elegant set of rattan chairs, or a few familiar items of the Central Highlands people, all creating a unique fusion of royalty and rustic life.
The kitchen in the villa is furnished with familiar items used by the people of the Central Highlands.
These small details make visitors feel as if they are stepping into a vibrant historical story, where royal insignia and the breath of the wilderness blend together.
Heritage camphor trees and green lungs in the city.
Beyond its historical significance, the villa is also notable for its diverse ecosystem. Within its shady grounds are numerous centuries-old trees such as camphor trees, crape myrtle, and Terminalia catappa. A particularly striking feature is the camphor tree at the entrance, planted in 1930, standing nearly 30 meters tall with a trunk 2.5 meters wide. In 2014, it was recognized as a Vietnamese Heritage Tree, becoming a favorite stop for many domestic and international tourists.
The villa is surrounded by lush green grounds with many old camphor trees.
With its rich vegetation, the villa is like a "green lung" in the heart of Buon Ma Thuot, where visitors can escape the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse themselves in a cool, tranquil atmosphere.
From historical sites to fascinating cultural destinations
Today, the Bao Dai Palace has been recognized as a national historical monument and has become a must-see attraction when visiting Buon Ma Thuot. The Dak Lak Museum leadership is also implementing a restoration plan, aiming to reopen it to visitors with a more complete appearance, integrating its exhibition with the Buon Ma Thuot Prison National Special Monument and other museum spaces, forming a closed tour route where visitors can explore history, learn about the people, and discover the nature of Dak Lak.
The Bảo Đại Palace in Buôn Mê Thuột is little-known, yet it possesses both scenic and cultural-historical value befitting the Central Highlands.
Stopping at Bao Dai Palace, visitors not only discover a place once graced by the footsteps of a king, but also immerse themselves in a harmonious blend of culture, history, and nature in the Central Highlands. This destination preserves the essence of a historical period and continues to be maintained, recounting to future generations the story of the last king of the Nguyen dynasty amidst the vast forests of Buon Ma Thuot.
