A 100-year-old relic in Khanh Hoa has been left to waste for many years.

The Bao Dai Palace in Nha Trang Ward (Khanh Hoa) is over 100 years old and is a famous relic but has been left to waste for over 10 years. Up to now, the locality has not had a plan to restore and exploit the inherent value of the relic.

On July 31, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Khanh Hoa confirmed that the plan to restore the Bao Dai Palace relic is still stuck. Previously, the department said it had 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... which are under the advisory scope of the Department of Agriculture and Environment and the Department of Construction.

Bao Dai Palace on top of Canh Long mountain has a prime location facing the sea.

Photo: HIEN LUONG

Bao Dai Palace is located on the top of Canh Long Mountain (locally called Chut Mountain, Nha Trang Ward), built by the French in 1923 with the original architecture of 5 villas, the purpose of which is to serve as a place of residence for foreign engineers and staff of the Marine Research Institute (now Nha Trang Oceanography Institute). The unique architecture of this relic is a harmonious combination of Western architectural style with Eastern garden art. This is considered a famous relic - scenic spot and in fact many tourists come here to visit.

Each villa on the Bao Dai floor was named after the surrounding plants, such as: Cactus, Plumeria, Bougainvillea, Royal Poinciana and Banyan Tree. Among them, Nghinh Phong (Cactus) and Vong Nguyet (Plumeria) villas were chosen as the vacation places of King Bao Dai and Queen Nam Phuong. Both villas were built in the classical French architectural style, harmoniously combining with the garden art of the palace.

An old villa belonging to Bao Dai dynasty is seriously degraded.

PHOTO: HIEN LUONG

In October 1995, Khanh Hoa province recognized Cau Da villa area - Bao Dai tower as a "Historical and cultural relic and scenic spot". However, since then, Bao Dai tower has only been a provincial relic, not yet recognized as a national relic. In September 2011, Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee agreed to hand over Bao Dai tower relic to the joint venture of Khanh Viet Corporation (Khatoco - Bao Dai tower management unit) and Ha Do Group to establish Khanh Ha Investment Joint Stock Company to implement the Bao Dai luxury resort villa project.

In August 2013, Khanh Hoa province reclaimed the Bao Dai palace relic from Khatoco Company and handed it over to Ha Do Group, including 5 ancient villas, to build a 5-star resort villa project. During the implementation process, the investor made many mistakes, so the project was suspended until now. In May 2023, Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee decided to reclaim nearly 9,300 ^square meters of land belonging to these 5 villas rented by Khanh Ha Investment Joint Stock Company, and at the same time requested to stop using the land for this enterprise. After the reclamation, the 5 ancient villas were handed over to Khanh Hoa Monuments Conservation Center for management according to regulations. However, up to now, this relic has not been restored and welcomed visitors as before. Thus, this relic has been left to waste for 12 consecutive years.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/di-tich-hon-100-tuoi-o-khanh-hoa-de-hoang-phi-nhieu-nam-185250731214429069.htm