The 113-year-old Governor's Palace in Da Lat was moved from group one to group two by Lam Dong authorities, meaning preservation is no longer as strict as before.
In the regulations on management and use of state-owned villa funds in Da Lat City recently issued, Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee moved the Provincial Governor's Palace at 1 Ly Tu Trong and Nguyen Huu Hao Palace (4 Hung Vuong) from group 1 to group 2.
The Governor's Palace is located on a pine hill and was built by the French around 1910. It was once the residence and workplace of the mayor of Da Lat and the governor of Tuyen Duc (former name of Lam Dong province). The building is currently managed by the Lam Dong Cultural Center.
The Governor's Palace is located on a high hill in the center of Da Lat City. Photo: Khanh Huong
Compared to the most recent adjustment in 2017, the number of villas increased by 4, to 166, divided into three groups. Group one includes Palace 1, Palace 3 (Bao Dai Palace) and Palace 2 (Governor's Palace), which are typical villas in terms of architecture, landscape, etc.; group two has 69 villas with architectural, landscape, historical and cultural values; group three includes 94 villas.
According to this regulation, when renovated, group one villas must maintain the original exterior architectural form, interior structure, construction density, number of floors and height. Group two villas only need to maintain the original exterior architectural form.
The project belongs to group three, and is allowed to renovate and upgrade the interior and exterior spaces; and build new ones according to the planning, in accordance with the architecture and landscape of the area. Therefore, the renovation of the two villas, the Governor's Palace and Nguyen Huu Hao Palace, does not necessarily have to comply with strict regulations anymore.
At the Governor's Palace, there was previously a plan to build facilities for business and services. According to the chosen plan, the Governor's Palace area will be built with a 10-storey hotel, the Palace will be kept intact and upgraded to become the Dalat Museum in a new location (28 m higher), open to all visitors...
In 2021, responding to the opinion of Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee, the Vietnam Association of Architects did not agree, saying that it is necessary to study and strictly implement legal procedures before deciding on planning related to the Provincial Governor's Palace.
The Governor's Palace from above. Photo: Phuoc Tuan
Commenting on Lam Dong's decision to remove the Governor's Palace in Da Lat from the strict conservation group, architect Ngo Viet Nam Son said he "feels sorry" for Da Lat. This could "pave the way" for investors to build hotels in this area.
According to Mr. Son, if the option of renovating the Governor's Palace is chosen, the people of Da Lat will become richer and the city will be balanced. As for building hotels and restaurants, only investors will benefit and the city has many other locations for projects. "The most ideal is to keep all that green space. The Governor's Palace is a place for people and tourists to come and enjoy the scenery," Mr. Son said, adding that Da Lat should keep its existing values.
According to this architect, from above, the Hoa Binh area is completely covered in concrete. Therefore, if you want to build or renovate anything in the Governor's Palace area, it is essential to preserve the green space. If you are not careful, it will cause flooding in the area around the Palace like other places in Da Lat.
Truong Ha - Khanh Huong
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