Current status of villas in Bao Dai Palace relic site in Nha Trang

Since the project was handed over to the enterprise and the repossession, more than 11 years have passed, but the villas at Bao Dai Tower (Nha Trang Ward, Khanh Hoa Province) have not been renovated and continue to be abandoned and degraded.

Bao Dai Palace is located on Canh Long Mountain (Nha Trang Ward). Photo: HIEU GIANG

The Cau Da villa relic site (also known as Bao Dai's palace) is located on Canh Long mountain (Nha Trang ward), including 5 villas named Xuong Rong, Hoa Su, Hoa Giay, Phuong Vy and Cay Bang, built by the French in 1923.

Vong Nguyet Villa seen from above. Photo: HIEU GIANG

The unique architecture of this monument is a harmonious combination of Western architectural style with Eastern garden art.

Among them, Nghinh Phong (Xuong Rong) and Vong Nguyet (Hoa Su) villas were chosen as the vacation places of King Bao Dai and Queen Nam Phuong during the period of 1940-1945.

Above the Vong Nguyet villa, the deterioration is clearly visible. Photo: HIEU GIANG

In 1995, Bao Dai Palace was included in the list of provincial-level architectural and artistic relics by the Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee. However, in 2011, the Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee allowed Khanh Viet Corporation (the management unit of Bao Dai Palace) to join forces with Ha Do Group to establish Khanh Ha Investment Joint Stock Company to carry out the Bao Dai luxury villa project.

In 2014, the Provincial People's Committee decided to reclaim 13.5 hectares (8.8 hectares of land and 4.7 hectares of water surface) to hand over to the enterprise to implement the project.

During the project implementation, the authorities determined that the investor had committed many violations, including the encroachment of relics, so the project "stalled" since 2018.

In February 2023, Khanh Ha Investment Joint Stock Company returned the above 5 ancient villas and the Provincial People's Committee recovered them and handed them over to the Provincial Monument Conservation Center for management.

In the relic area, there are some new buildings that are only roughly built and look shabby. Photo: HIEU GIANG

For more than 11 years, since the project was handed over to the enterprise and then reclaimed, Bao Dai building has always been closed behind high walls, and residents and tourists cannot access it because it is located within the enterprise's project area.

Nghinh Phong Villa is closed and quiet despite being located in the most beautiful area of Nha Trang Bay. Photo: HIEU GIANG

Khanh Hoa Province Architects Association once assessed: The two villas Nghinh Phong and Vong Nguyet show the true nature of a villa, the remaining 3 houses are not villas but simple two-story houses without any remarkable special features.

Nearly 100 years of use through many generations, many users with many different purposes, these 5 works have been restored and renovated, changing quite a lot...

The Hoa Giay, Phuong Vy and Cay Bang villas have deteriorated after many years of abandonment. Photo: HIEU GIANG

Many locals and tourists expressed regret at the fact that Bao Dai Palace has been degraded for many years, but has not received proper investment and restoration. Photo: HIEU GIANG

Regarding the plan to restore the Bao Dai Palace relic , the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Khanh Hoa province said that it has coordinated with relevant departments, branches and localities to prepare a report proposing an investment policy to submit to the provincial Appraisal Council.

However, there are currently some difficulties and problems related to the plan to share infrastructure (traffic, electricity, water, etc.) under the advisory scope of the Department of Agriculture and Environment and the Department of Construction of Khanh Hoa province.

HIEU GIANG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/hien-trang-nhung-can-biet-thu-trong-khu-di-tich-lau-bao-dai-o-nha-trang-post806056.html