Stone villa of King Bao Dai's lover in Dalat

In 1950, King Bao Dai bought this villa as a gift for his lover, Mrs. Phi Anh (who had two children with King Bao Dai, and was popularly known as the concubine even though she was not officially awarded the title).

Sketch by Architect Hoang Dung

Sketch by artist Ngoc Nguyen

Many locals say that when the villa was abandoned, there were strange sounds at night (footsteps, crying...) from the spirit of a woman who used to live here. There is another rumor that a mentally ill person living in the villa dug up two statues (similar in shape to the relief of a Cham girl near the main door of the villa) and then built a shrine in the corner of the garden and "naturally recovered"... The above rumors have no scientific basis but are still spread, contributing to the mystery of the villa.

Sketch by Architect Dang Phan Lac Viet

Sketch by Architect Linh Hoang

Built in 1928 by a French official, Phi Anh Villa bears a strong Basque (Spanish) mark. Specifically, the asymmetrical A-shaped sloping roof, 60-80 cm thick granite walls (to keep warm in winter, cool in summer) and many small windows of various shapes: square, round, arched... However, the doors here are not arranged in the symmetrical order of classical Basque but create a natural, spontaneous feeling.

Sketch by Architect Phung The Huy

View from the hallway - sketch by designer Le Quang Khanh

As a participant in the design of the restoration of this villa, architect Hoang Hai Linh said: "The architectural highlight is the semicircular three-arched stone corridor connecting the two main blocks. This not only creates a unique central axis of light and air flow but is also a rare element in French-Spanish architecture in Vietnam at that time."

Sketch by Architect Tran Xuan Hong

Door frame - painting by architect Phung The Huy

Not following the Basque architectural pattern, the building blends in details with strong Asian cultural features, such as stylized lotus reliefs and strange bird heads. Notably, two 1.5 m high Cham girl reliefs are placed on the facade. Their origin and meaning remain a question mark.

Sketch by Architect Bui Hoang Bao

Sketch by designer Le Quang Khanh

With its uniqueness, Phi Anh villa is a "beautiful note" in the symphony of urban memories of Da Lat.

Renovated in 2007, the villa is now a restaurant.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/biet-thu-da-cua-nguoi-tinh-vua-bao-dai-o-da-lat-185250419203417712.htm