Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 The imposing stone villa in Da Lat that King Bao Dai, Vietnam’s last monarch, gifted to one of his concubines is a lasting reminder of the regal romance. >> Untold stories of Da Lat – P1: Nguyen Dynasty’s trusted retainer Apart from Queen Nam Phuong, his official wife, King Bao Dai (1913-1997), the 13th and last king of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945), had several concubines and lovers. Nguyen Dynasty is also the country’s last monarchy reign. Da Lat is an appealing resort town and the capital of Lam Dong Province in the Central Highlands. A singular paramour Following his abdication in August 1945, Bao Dai was sent back to Vietnam by the French government in April 1949. After receiving the news about Bao Dai’s return to Vietnam and stay in Da Lat in 1949, Phan Van Giao, governor of the central region, picked him up at the town’s Lien Khuong Airport and introduced a young woman named Le Thi Phi Anh to him. Anh, 12 years younger than Bao Dai, was the youngest of an opulent, well-educated family who owned many villas in Hue City, the country’s then capital. Her uncle was Le Quang Thiet, a son-in-law of King Thanh Thai (1879 –1954), the 10th Nguyen King. According to Nguyen Dac Xuan, a veteran expert in Hue culture, Anh was a great beauty with glowing complexion, a high nose bridge and glittery eyes. Her attractiveness actually outshined Bao Dai’s three… [Read full story]
The Lam Dong provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has signed a decision, under which 247 pine trees of the Da Lat special-use forest in Da Lat City would be chopped down to give place for mineral exploitation. The decision has brought big benefit to Nguyen Huynh Gia Phat, a private enterprise, which plans to exploit the minerals for “making common construction materials” (stones for household use). However, people believe that the project does not deserve the sacrifice of the 247 pine trees of the forest. Pine trees fall down On January 11, 2012, Deputy Director of the Lam…... [read more]
Langbiang mountainsThis is the most attractive place of Da Lat City for both domestic and foreign visitors with two mountains, called the “He-mount” and the “She-mount”, in Lac Duong district, around 12km from the center of Da Lat. The mounts are 2,167m above the sea level; therefore, it is called the “roof” of Da Lat. From that height, visitors can enjoy the panorama of Da Lat city. Linh Phuoc PagodaLinh Phuoc Pagoda, a sacred place suitable for those who wish to go on spiritual sightseeing tours, is located on Highway 20, at No. 120 Tu Phuoc, around 8km from Da Lat…... [read more]
A newly-released book about Da Lat, Vietnam's famed City of Flowers, is riddled with inaccurate as well as plagiarized content, several journalists have alleged. The book released this month uses their material under other names without obtaining the authors' permission, they said. Co mot Da Lat o Viet Nam (There's a Da Lat in Vietnam) carries many essays about different attractions in the Central Highlands town. Reporter Uong Thai Bieu of the Nhan Dan (People) Newspaper said the story "Da Lat - thanh pho tinh yeu va noi nho" (Da Lat - the city of love and memory) copies parts…... [read more]
Da Lat Flower Festival 2012 is scheduled to open from December 30, 2011 to January 3, 2012. This is an economic, cultural and tourism event of national class and international nature that the Prime Minister decided to be held biennially to honour the value of Da Lat flowers, substantiate the position and potentiality of "flowers and floriculture" in the social and economic development strategies of Da Lat City in particular and Lam Dong Province in general. Reporter Thu Huyen has an interview with Mr Vu Van Tu, Deputy Director of Lam Dong Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Centre, on preparatory…... [read more]
The second Da Lat city will be built on more than 5,000 hectares in Dan Kia - Suoi Vang ( Gold Stream) tourist area by four famous Japanese investors Mitsubishi, Sumitomo, Limtec and Mitsui with the total investment of more than US$ 1 billion. Nearly 400 households will be relocated in other places. The total capital of site-clearance and relocation compensation is about VND 250 billion. The project is expected to start in June 2006. Romantic town Masses of treeless hills in Dan Kia will be full of flowers. Besides, there will grow here the most beautiful rose garden in…... [read more]
