Madame de Dalat Mansion

Madame de Dalat Mansion, or Tran Le Xuan Mansion, was the most lavish mansion in Southeast Asia in the late 50s. After restoration, this mansion is now a popular tourist spot to admire the meticulous structures and learn about the life of a controversial woman: Madame Tran Le Xuan. Let’s Asia King Travel guide you through the history and features of this landmark!

Madame de Dalat Mansion

Location

Madame de Dalat Mansion is located at No.2 Yet Kieu Street, Ward 5, Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam. This is considered “the best palace in Southern Vietnam”, along with 3 other famous constructions (Palace I, Kinh Consort Nam Phuong Palace, and Governor’s Palace.

How to get there

There are various ways to travel to Da Lat City, depending on your budget and preferences. 

• By airway: This is the fastest and most convenient way. You can take a flight to Da Lat from different departure points like Hanoi, Da Nang, Hai Phong,... You will land at Lien Khuong Airport, located in the city’s suburbs, then catch a bus or taxi to the city center. 
• By train: Traveling by train takes more time (around 2 days), yet it is more economical. Although Da Lat doesn’t have a station, you can stop by Nha Trang Station, then catch a bus to Da Lat. This will take around 2 more hours.
• By bus: Traveling by bus is suitable for those who depart from the nearby cities, and you will need good health to deal with a several-hour-long trip. The ticket price can vary depending on your departure point and the different providers. You can check and compare the prices online on their websites to choose the best option.

Madame de Dalat Mansion is only 6 km away from the city center. You can easily get there by car or motorbike. Use car booking apps like Grab or Bee, or Google Maps to find the way if you want to travel on your own. 

Best time to visit

The recommended time to visit Madame de Dalat Mansion is between November and April, Da Lat’s dry season. Traveling during this period helps you avoid rainy days and makes the exploration more convenient.

The Memory Garden displays images of Tran Le Xuan and her activities

Entrance fee

The Madame de Dalat Mansion offers 4 packages with different fees and attractions. There are also discounts for local people, students, the elderly, and kids. For local people and the elderly aged over 60, you’ll need to present your ID card when purchasing tickets. For students, show your valid student card.

Kids under 0.8m have free entrance. Kids from 0.8m to 1.2m are offered kids' tickets. For detailed prices, you can check the official website of Madame de Dalat Mansion. 

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History of Madame de Dalat Mansion

Madame de Dalat Mansion once belonged to the Advisor Ngo Dinh Nhu and his wife, First Lady Tran Le Xuan. This huge resort was built in 1958 on a prime location at Lam Son Hill, Da Lat. During its time, Madame de Dalat Mansion was considered the most luxurious construction in Southern Vietnam.

However, after the 1963 coup, Ngo Dinh Nhu was assassinated, and his family had to live in exile abroad and abandoned the mansion. Madame de Dalat Mansion has then been under different management, but it was not well-preserved, and many valuable items were destroyed or stolen. 

Until 2006, the entire building was restored and became the headquarters of the National Archives Center IV - Department of State Records and Archives. The mansion now opens to the public to admire its elaborate architecture and the valuable Nguyen Dynasty Woodblock collection. 

An exhibition space in the Lam Vien Museum

Madame Tran Le Xuan

The Madame de Dalat Mansion’s original name was Blanche Naige Mansion. However, after the abandonment in 1963, people often remembered it under the name of Madame Tran Le Xuan. So what’s so special about that woman that makes her name attached to this building?

Madame Tran Le Xuan, or Madame Nhu (named after her husband’s name), was an outstanding character in the ruling class of the Republic of Vietnam. According to the documents and people who used to interact with her, Tran Le Xuan is beautiful and tough, yet wicked and ruthless towards those not support her and the Ngo family. 

Madame Tran Le Xuan

Unlike the controversial political activities, the contributions of Madame Tran Le Xuan to the fashion field are still popular until now. She initiated the boat-neck, low-cut ao dai, which was inspired by the traditional Khmer clothes. This new fashion wave was criticized by contemporary scholars, but then became favored thanks to being simple and comfortable yet elegant and charming.

Highlights in Madame de Dalat Mansion

Tran Le Xuan Mansion

Opening time: 7:30 am - 5:30 pm every day

This complex is the unique highlight of Madame de Dalat Mansion. It covers a total area of over 13,000 square meters, including 3 buildings: Hong Ngoc, Bach Ngoc, and Lam Ngoc Villas. This East-West architectural complex is famous not only for its architectural beauty, but also for the name of a powerful and controversial woman of the time: Madame Tran Le Xuan. 

Each mansion served a separate purpose: Lam Ngoc was the main living space, Hong Ngoc was a gift for Madame Nhu’s father, Mr. Tran Van Chuong, and Bach Ngoc was used for entertainment for Tran Le Xuan’s family. The entire complex was designed in the French architectural style and fully equipped with expensive, overseas-imported items.

While strolling through the elaborate mansions, you can imagine the luxurious life that once existed here and admire the special exhibitions and attractions that are imbued with the female owner’s mark, such as the Memory Garden, Ao Dai Road leading to Lam Vien Museum, or the Madame Nhu Garden. 

Madame Nhu Garden is a Japanese garden designed by Architect Hiroshi Kitagawa

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Nguyen Dynasty Woodblock Area

Opening time: 8 am - 11:30 am; 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm every day

The Nguyen Dynasty Woodblock refers to the Sino-Nom script that is reversely sculptured in a piece of wood to make books in Vietnam’s 19th and 20th centuries. Under the Nguyen Dynasty, thousands of woodblocks were compiled, covering many topics, from history, geography, to military and social-political state. Thanks to its historical value and craftsmanship, on July 31, 2009, the Nguyen Dynasty Woodblock was recognized by UNESCO as Vietnam’s first World Documentary Heritage. 

The Nguyen Dynasty Woodblock Area in Madame de Dalat is the largest woodblock collection in Vietnam, restoring more than 34,000 artifacts. While visiting this impressive exhibition, you can experience the vividly recreated process of making a woodblock via sand drawing mixed with a Hologram 3D Box effect.

The Nguyen Dynasty Woodblock Area reserves more than 34,000 artifacts

Madame Show

Opening time: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm, every Saturday

Madame Show is an immersive art performance staged within the enchanting grounds of Bach Ngoc Mansion. Its centerpiece, The Birds’ Flights, is the first and only unique live show in Da Lat. Throughout the performance, audiences are taken on a journey through the rich history of the Central Highlands, reliving Da Lat’s legendary tales and heartfelt love stories. 

With a stage set over a mystical hot spring and enhanced by mesmerizing lighting, sound, and visual effects, Madame Show offers a truly unforgettable experience during your time in Da Lat.

The Madame Show

Conclusion

A visit to Madame de Dalat Mansion is ideal for those who appreciate the harmony of culture, history, architecture, and nature. More than just a historical landmark, it stands as a tribute to Da Lat’s cultural and artistic spirit. Grab the chance to uncover its hidden stories by reaching out to Asia King Travel and making this unforgettable experience part of your journey!

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