The bizarre and unique architecture of Crazy House in Da Lat.
Return to nature
Crazy House is a unique structure, built on a nearly 2,000m2 plot of land, comprising a residence, guesthouse, café, art gallery, and more. Its architecture is distinct from typical buildings in Vietnam and around the world . Since its inception, the building has been recognized for its unique architecture and considered the most bizarre building in Vietnam, mentioned in travel guides and ranked among the 10 strangest buildings in the world by the French magazine Peoples Daily.
Crazy House was built on the design concept of bringing people back to nature. The structure is developed using free-flowing curves and planes, not bound by the usual principles of geometric composition using straight lines and planes. In particular, it utilizes open spaces on all four sides of the room to create a rich visual experience. Here, one can imagine the architectural spaces and pathways as forests, caves, mountains, tree stumps, animals... All are unusual and create a stunning impression.
The owner of the building is Dr. Dang Viet Nga, an architect. After earning her PhD in the Soviet Union, she returned to Vietnam in 1972 and worked in Hanoi . She moved to Da Lat in 1980 to live and work. With her love for Da Lat, she decided to live there for the rest of her life. Crazy House was born from her passion for creative architectural art, reflecting her dream of contributing something to Da Lat. Dang Viet Nga directly designed and supervised the construction of this building from 1990 to 2010. The building was designed as a residence for the owner, combined with a hotel for guests to rent rooms, and also as a captivating tourist attraction.
Unforgettable experiences
Beginning their tour, visitors pass through a gate designed like a cave leading to a series of interconnected architectural blocks via unique pathways. There are four main structures, each with a distinct appearance but all sharing a common characteristic: eccentricity, interspersed among lush gardens. The entire complex resembles a labyrinth, yet is meticulously detailed. This complex, embodying the Expressionist architectural style, boasts over 100 roofs and dozens of unique spaces, corridors, staircases, verandas, and lobbies—all reflecting a creative inspiration drawn from nature.
During their visit, tourists are constantly surprised. Sometimes they're walking down a spacious corridor only to find themselves in a dark, mysterious space. Climbing the stairs, everything suddenly brightens as they find themselves on the rooftop, or they arrive at a "junction" where they don't know which way to turn. As they move around, visitors continuously encounter ancient tree stumps and branches, strange rock formations, bizarre windows, statues of people and animals, giant spiderwebs... Exploring this structure is also a challenge to physical strength and courage, as some staircases are very high, precarious, and not for the faint of heart.
Crazy House is divided into three distinct spaces: the Garden of Heaven, the Garden of Eden, and the Aquarium. Each space has its own unique concept and expression, as indicated by its name. The complex also features two giant concrete tree trunks: the Tree Trunk Hotel and the Spiderweb Castle. These are accommodations with 10 rooms designed to hotel-like comfort. Each room has a different shape and interior, named after its decorative theme, such as the Gourd Room, the Kangaroo Room, the Bear Room, the Monkey Room, the Bee Room, etc. Guests will have a unique experience staying in these rooms. Here, they might feel like they are in a cave in a prehistoric jungle, and at night they can gaze at the starry sky.
Crazy House also serves as the owner's residence. Aside from the bedrooms, visitors can tour the living area, which includes a living room, a memorial room dedicated to the late General Secretary Truong Chinh (the father of architect Dang Viet Nga), a room for preserving memories and memorabilia, and an art gallery. If fortunate, visitors may even have the chance to chat with the owner to learn more about this unique project, as well as her love for nature and Da Lat.
Da Lat is often described as a miniature "museum of European architecture," due to its many valuable historical buildings. Crazy House, while not an ancient structure, is perhaps a fascinating and unique exhibit within that museum. Currently, Crazy House welcomes approximately 100,000 visitors annually, making it a highly attractive destination in the city of pine trees.
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