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This villa boasts an impressive three-story architecture, measuring 19 meters in height and 25 meters in length. The entire structure is built with a refined white plaster finish, arched doorways, and a tiled roof. When visiting Bach Dinh, you'll easily appreciate the beauty and sophistication of French architecture, from the house's shape to the arrangement of decorative details, creating a captivating work of art.
The White Palace stands out with its three floors and exquisite French architecture.
Former Emperor Thành Thái of the Vietnamese Empire was imprisoned in the White Palace in Vũng Tàu for about 10 years before the villa was repurposed as a summer retreat for important officials such as the Governor-General of Indochina, Emperor Bảo Đại, and the Presidents of the Republic of Vietnam throughout various periods. The construction of the White Palace took a total of four years, from 1898 to 1902. In 1992, the White Palace was officially recognized as a National Historical and Cultural Monument.
Outside, Bach Dinh is surrounded by a natural garden and lush green forest, creating a majestic setting with views of Vung Tau beach. Upon entering the first floor of the villa, visitors will encounter impressive classical decorative works. The second floor houses the Bach Dinh Museum.
In addition, the Bach Dinh historical site boasts a large outdoor area of approximately 6 hectares, with many valuable trees such as frangipani and teak.
The tree-lined path at Bach Dinh.
"There are two main paths from the foot of Mount Large to the villa. The first path is for cars only, while the second requires visitors to climb 146 steps, lined with two rows of ancient frangipani trees. The scenery along this path can make visitors feel like they are stepping into a beautiful flower forest, evoking the image of the dreamy Da Lat," shared Thanh Hang (a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City).
The design of Bach Dinh is inspired by Greek and Roman architecture, with a roof covered in red tiles. Cooking is usually done in the basement of the villa, while the first floor is for receiving guests, and the second and third floors are for resting. With its classic and luxurious atmosphere, especially the use of white as the dominant color, the beauty of this ancient villa is further enhanced.
The relief sculpture on the wall is exquisite.
Along with patterns strongly influenced by Greek design.
Notably, the interior and decorations mostly consist of classic, aristocratic items such as the pair of vases depicting a hundred birds and a phoenix, and a 170 cm long ivory tusk set. Many decorations are made from rare and expensive porcelain. Visitors can also admire interesting murals depicting women from the Renaissance period, and small details such as peacocks and carp gracefully intertwined, showcasing creative and exquisite craftsmanship. Currently, Bach Dinh houses an ancient cannon and a very rare collection of Kangxi-era porcelain found on Hon Cau Island, Con Dao.
One of the artifacts at the Mansion.
When visiting this valuable and beautifully decorated historical site, you can't miss the best viewpoint at Bach Dinh - the observation deck. As its name suggests, the observation deck offers visitors a panoramic view of the vast Vung Tau sea, Mount Large, Mount Small, Hon Ngu, and Bai Truoc beach in Vung Tau…
If you choose to visit Bach Dinh during the season when the milk flower trees are in bloom, you'll also have the chance to discover a mesmerizing "carpet of flowers" that's considered the most beautiful spot for taking Instagram-worthy photos, a must-see.
Thanh Hang and her friends shared how much they loved this spot, saying, "Just standing here, we can see the entire Vung Tau cityscape. We took so many beautiful photos. Traveling to learn about history and having beautiful photos to bring back is absolutely wonderful."
The mansion also includes an area named the History Museum, which houses over 8,000 ancient artifacts. Particularly noteworthy is the collection of Chinese ceramics, most of which are made of pottery and porcelain dating back tens of thousands of years. A close examination of the patterns on these ceramics reveals their immense value.
This charming hallway corner is also a popular spot for young people to take photos for social media.
From here, you can enjoy panoramic views of the sea and other tourist attractions in Vung Tau.
Here are some things to keep in mind when visiting the Bach Dinh historical site:
- You can visit Vung Tau year-round because every season is beautiful. However, to fully enjoy the beauty of Bach Dinh, you should choose the time when the milk flower trees are in bloom.
- Bach Dinh is not only a tourist attraction but also houses many valuable artifacts. Therefore, let's be mindful of maintaining the cleanliness and beauty of the historical site.
To better understand the history and value of this villa, don't hesitate to hire a tour guide for a detailed explanation. This will help you learn more useful historical knowledge.
