Distinctions of the last king of the Nguyen Dynasty in Lak Lake.
One of the most famous distinctions of the last king of the Nguyen Dynasty, located on a very beautiful hill in Lak Lake, now in Lien Son town, Lak district, Dak Lak province. Let’s find out about this distinction with Focus Asia Travel!!
King Bao Dai has many mansions, also known as palaces, in many places around the country such as Da Lat, Nha Trang, Vung Tau, Buon Me Thuot, Do Son… These are properties for the king to work as well as relax. , entertainment. Among them, Lak Lake Palace is located on a hill 422 m above sea level, more than 40 km from Buon Me Thuot city center. The project is located in a campus full of green trees, with beautiful views of Lak Lake (the largest freshwater lake in the Central Highlands).
Appeared in Lak Lake by King Bao Dai Photo: H.V.M
Most of the Bao Dai palaces are located in urban areas or tourist centers, only the one on Lak Lake is wild and deserted. Bao Dai – the last king of the Nguyen Dynasty had many special palaces in the Central region.
This palace is a relatively massive three-story building, built in a modern architectural style in 1951, when Bao Dai was Head of State, as a place to stop when the king and his family went to Buon Ma Thuot for vacation. The palace is located on the top of a hill 422 meters above sea level. Below is Lak Lake – the largest natural freshwater lake in the Central Highlands, surrounded by primeval forests. This hill is called Bao Dai hill by people in the area.
Appeared in Lak Lake by King Bao Dai Photo: H.V.M
At the time of construction, the Lak Lake area was very deserted and desolate, surrounded by primeval forests. It is Queen Nam Phuong who is responsible for managing construction and paying costs for the project. Lak Lake Palace has simple architecture, modern style combined with some folk architectural features of the Central Highlands ethnic groups. The building has a high front and low rear structure with a wide sloping roof system.
Appeared in Lak Lake by King Bao Dai Photo: H.V.M
The front of the palace is 3 stories high with a staircase leading to the 2nd floor. Originally, this concrete staircase was perpendicular to the house, but later when restored, people adjusted the staircase to turn horizontally. In the yard, in the old location, there were two wooden stairs in the style of Tay Nguyen stilt houses.
The main construction materials are concrete, brick, wood, glass; terracotta tiled roof. The facade has many large glass windows to view nature.
This special palace was personally responsible for constructing and paying for the architectural project located in the middle of this remote area with difficult terrain. The rooms in the palace all have large windows with beautiful views on all four sides. Looking around the garden are ancient fragrant white porcelain trees hundreds of years old, and in the distance is Lak Lake looming behind the forest trees.
Looking down from Bao Dai hill, the whole Lak lake looks like a sparkling pearl.
The scene inside disappears Photo: H.V.M
In addition to relaxation, this palace also serves as a “hunting camp” for King Bao Dai. Mr. Nguyen Duc Hoa, a courtier of King Bao Dai, when he was still alive, once said that the preparations for long hunting trips from Da Lat to Lak Lake were always large-scale and elaborate while ensuring the lives of the king and his family satisfied King Bao Dai’s feeling of freedom to explore and conquer nature.
Appeared in Lak Lake by King Bao Dai Photo: H.V.M
Inside there is a room that is the common living room of the king and his family. Currently this room is a space displaying some images of King Bao Dai in Dak Lak and the Central Highlands, hunting activities; along with some of the king’s elephant hunting tools. When needed, this place is used as a dining room for tourism.
The scene inside disappears Photo: H.V.M
Currently, the special presence still preserves images of King Bao Dai. Although this building has been in a derelict state for many years, it has now been restored and opened for tourists to visit. Currently, Lak Lake Palace is both a ticketed attraction and a restaurant and hotel business.
