Palace III preserves memories of King Bao Dai and Queen Nam Phuong

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Built between 1933 and 1938 by French architect Paul Veysseyre and Vietnamese architect Huynh Tan Phat, Dinh III Palace served as the primary residence and working venue for King Bao Dai, Queen Nam Phuong, and their children from 1938 to 1954.

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The main building of Dinh III Palace features a basement, a ground floor, and an upper floor. The ground floor houses a large reception hall, a guest room, and a meeting room, while the upper floor contains the private bedrooms. The entire complex is solidly constructed with brick and stone, topped with a tiled roof.

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Spanning approximately 1,000 square meters across two floors, Dinh III Palace comprises 26 rooms designed to accommodate the royal family's living, working, and diplomatic needs.

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Within Dinh III Palace, the ground floor is dedicated to receptions, work, and dining, while the upper floor houses private bedrooms and leisure spaces. From the main entrance, a spacious hall serves as an audience waiting room, leading directly into the main reception room.

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The reception room of King Bao Dai still retains priceless artifacts, including a piano linked to Queen Nam Phuong and the princesses, alongside a pair of gaur horns taken as a hunting trophy by the king in Krong Pha.

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Dinh III Palace strongly reflects a European Neoclassical style with balanced proportions and seamlessly connected rooms. The architecture emphasizes a harmony between visual and auditory experiences, paired with simple yet romantic interior furnishings. Yellow and red dominate the color palette, two iconic shades symbolizing royal power and elegance.

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The grand staircase leading to the upper floor features an elegant, graceful curve, serving as the entryway to the private and cozy living quarters of King Bao Dai’s family.

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The upper-floor corridor of Dinh III Palace connects all the bedrooms, private study, and personal living quarters of King Bao Dai’s family.

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The grand reception hall serves as the venue for state meetings and major royal ceremonies. Elegantly decorated, the space fully reflects the supreme authority and splendor of the royal court during that era.

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The intimate reception room provides a warm, welcoming space for informal gatherings

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The dining room for the princes and princesses is neatly and cozily arranged, highlighted by a four-chair dining set that serves as a warm family gathering space for the royal children.

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King Bao Dai’s private room in Dinh III Palace still retains its original historical artifacts. Just outside lies Vong Nguyet Lau (Moonlight Pavilion), where the king relaxed in the cool breeze and admired the moon.

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The private rooms of King Bao Dai and Queen Nam Phuong are located on the upper floor of Dinh III Palace. Elegantly arranged, the space preserves numerous signature architectural features and historical artifacts.

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Situated at the rear of Dinh III Palace's ground floor, next to the reception and working areas, King Bao Dai’s entertainment room serves as his private retreat after stressful working hours. Arranged in a modern European style, the space features a billiard table, chess set, card table, and various luxury amenities of the high society during that era.

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Visiting the palace, tourists can experience feeling like royalty by donning lavish dragon and phoenix robes to pose for commemorative photos right at the royal throne.

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Situated on the upper floor of Dinh III Palace, the bedroom of Princess Phuong Mai and Princess Phuong Dung embraces a minimalist, gentle design that still exudes royal elegance.

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Located adjacent to the children's rooms on the upper floor to facilitate daily care, the nanny's room is neatly appointed with essential amenities, illustrating the structured and attentive lifestyle of King Bao Dai's family.

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Positioned in a secluded area, this internal staircase provides direct access between the ground floor's private spaces and the upper-level bedrooms and baths.

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Adjoining the bedrooms and bathrooms, the royal dressing room creates a fully enclosed and highly convenient living space.

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Designed to modern Western standards, the private restroom in Dinh III Palace is equipped with premium French-imported porcelain fixtures. Featuring a flush system, washbasins, and self-contained amenities, the space shows the royal family’s civilized and luxurious lifestyle ahead of its time.

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The bathroom at Dinh III Palace

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From the terrace of Dinh III Palace, visitors are treated to a panoramic view of lush pine forests cloaked in mist. This romantic, serene beauty not only enchants travelers but also evokes deep nostalgia for a bygone golden era. More than just a scenic visit, a journey through Dinh III leaves an unforgettable mark, letting visitors touch the very pulse of history in the heart of mountain-bound Da Lat.