Tran Le Xuan Palace which was once named as “The best of the South” is a complex of charming buildings in glorious names: Lam Ngọc (Sapphire), Hồng Ngọc (Ruby) and Bạch Ngọc (White Jade)
1. Lam Ngọc villa
Lam Ngoc villa consists of two buildings. This was the owner’s main area designed in French architectural style with living room, meeting room, ballroom and bedroom, all equipped with heaters.
The villa was decorated in a sophisticated style, fully equipped with modern and expensive facilities imported from Europe and the United States.
There is a shelter in Madame Nhu’s bedroom and an escape tunnel to Cam Ly Military Airport in the villa.
2. Japanese style garden
The garden is located behind Lam Ngoc villa. It was designed and built by Japanese architect Hiroshi Katagawa. Beside Japanese style, the garden is highlighted by a stream and a special pond displaying the map of Vietnam. There is a line of rocks in the middle of the pond which represents the 17th parallel and a bridge at one end of the pond, over the area of Ca Mau province on the map.
3. Hong Ngoc villa is a typical French architecture with heaters, two-layer windows and thick wall to prevent heat.
The villa was built by Tran Le Xuan for his father Tran Van Chuong, who was the Ambassador of the Republic of Vietnam in the United States at that time. However, Mr. Tran Van Chuong didn’t have chance to stay a single day in the villa before the coup against Ngo Dinh Diem’s regime on November 1, 1963.
4. Bach Ngoc villa with bar, big heater in the shape of Central Highlands’ Nha Rong was the place for Tran Le Xuan family to relax and receive foreign guests and high-ranking officials of the Republic of Vietnam.
5. Heated swimming pool
The 300m3 heated swimming pool was designed and built by an oversea architect who was selected by Tran Le Xuan herself. A system of heater was installed to warm up water so that people could swim in the cold weather of Da Lat. With blue brick background hidden among clouds and sky, the swimming pool has become an interesting check-in point for young people coming to Dalat today.