Bach Dinh is a name that consistently appears on top lists of Vung Tau attractions to visit, and for good reason. This beautifully preserved French colonial villa – also known as the White Palace – captures the essence of historic elegance. Surrounded by lush greenery and overlooking the sea, Bach Dinh Vung Tau offers a peaceful yet engrossing experience for travelers. The place is full of cultural significance, architecture, and panoramic views, and therefore it is a hot spot for tourism and photography.Â
What is Bach Dinh?
Bach Dinh (French: Villa Blanche) is a villa of late 19th-century European design on the side of Nui Lon (Big Mountain), sandwiched between Bai Truoc (Front Beach) and Bai Dau (Mulberry Beach) in Vung Tau City, Vietnam. The villa is an architectural jewel easily spotted from Tran Phu Street with its immaculately white exterior and reddish-tiled roof. Originally built as a summer residence for the Governors-General of French Indochina, Bach Dinh White Palace also served as a residence for Emperor Bao Dai and certain presidents of the Republic of Vietnam. More notably, it was the house arrest site for King Thanh Thai from 1907 to 1916. Currently, Bach Dinh Vung Tau is valued not only for its history but also for its breathtaking ocean views at 19 meters above sea level. It remains a must-see for anyone interested in colonial architecture and Vietnam’s complicated heritage.
History and architecture of Bach Dinh
Construction of Bach Dinh began in 1898 and was completed in 1902 under French architects who collaborated with Gustave Eiffel. The three-story mansion measures 25 meters in length and 19 meters in height, with an austere blend of Neoclassical and French Renaissance style design. Fully painted white, the villa features arched doorways, reddish-tiled roofs, and intricately decorated facades with glazed ceramic mosaics depicting live peacocks, flowers, and mythological creatures like carp transforming into dragons.
The mansion is beautifully positioned with its back against the mountain and front facing the sea, adhering to the Vietnamese principle of leaning on the mountain, facing the water, which has spiritual significance. Corinthian columns, ornate balustrades, and delicate border carvings contribute to the mansion’s sophisticated and noble atmosphere. Eight color-glazed ceramic busts in ancient Greek style ring the villa, believed to be of prominent European personalities, which still radiate old-world beauty.
Inside, visitors are welcomed by a collection of well-preserved period artifacts, including royal Nguyen dynasty furniture pieces, a 1.7-meter-long ivory tusk set from Africa, and native Vietnamese ceramics. The villa has a unique display of recovered porcelain artifacts from the 17th-century Con Dao shipwrecks, which adds more cultural depth to it. Declared a National Historical and Cultural Relic in 1992, Bach Dinh Vung Tau continues to fascinate the public with its prosperous past and craftsmanship.
Entrance fee and visiting hours
The entrance fee to Bach Dinh Vung Tau is VND 15,000 per individual, which is paid at the ticket booth near the main entrance. Opening hours vary slightly depending on the source but generally are from 7:30 AM to 5 PM daily, with a lunch break from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Weekdays typically have Bach Dinh White Palace open from 8 AM to 5 PM non-stop, but weekend hours may be 24 hours for grounds only (building access is by normal hours). There is an additional charge of VND 10,000 for motorcycle parking and VND 30,000 to VND 50,000 for cars, depending on size. Guided group tours cost between VND 150,000 and VND 300,000 and include informative commentary on the villa’s history and architecture.
Best time to visit Bach Dinh
Vung Tau’s dry season is from November to April, with clear weather, minimal rain, and temperate temperatures – a perfect time to visit Bach Dinh without interruptions from the weather. Tourist season peaks from December to February, around Vietnamese New Year celebrations, so going early in the morning or during weekdays will avoid the crowds. Spring (March to May) offers warm friendliness (25°C–32°C) and celebrations such as the Whale Worshiping Festival, putting color into any Bach Dinh Vung Tau visit. If quieter visits are desired, enjoy late April before any errant late afternoon showers or October when the humidity begins to drop.
for visiting Bach Dinh
Here are some practical to make the most of your visit to Bach Dinh:
- Arrive early: Organize to be there the minute the grounds open (approximately 7:30 AM) and enjoy the villa in the soft morning light, escaping the crowds of midday, especially if you visit in peak season (Dec–Feb).
- Visit post-peak season: If you can, try to visit during late April or October, when the weather is still excellent but visitor numbers drop, giving you more space to wander and shoot.
- Dress modestly: Being an official historical artifact, modest dressing (knees and shoulders covered) is advisable. You’ll blend in with the rest of the tourists and give proper respect to the site.
- Pack sun protection and water: There is little shade close to the villa’s outer balconies and gardens. A hat, sunscreen, and refillable water bottle will keep you comfortable as you stroll through the sun-baked balconies and gardens.
- Pair tickets with the Vung Tau Museum: The museum is situated next door to Bach Dinh and houses artifacts that complement what is seen at the villa. Buying a combined ticket can be a money and time saver.
- Spend time on a guided tour: For more insight into the Franco-Indochine past of the villa and its collection of royal furniture and shipwreck ceramics, book a small-group tour (VND 150,000–300,000).
- Use the second-floor balcony for photos: The upper deck offers panoramic Front Beach and city skyline views – ideal for sunrise or sunset shots. A small tripod will let you shoot long-exposure seascapes.
- Budget for parking fees: If you arrive on a motorbike, budget an extra VND 10,000; cars are VND 30,000 to VND 50,000.Â
- Mind the lunch-hour hiatus: Although the grounds are open, building access ceases from roughly 11:30 AM through 1:30 PM. Use the time to explore nearby cafés or stroll along Front Beach.
- Respect the artefacts: The ground floor still boasts stunning ceramics, Nguyen-dynasty throne room furniture, and 17th-century shipwreck salvage booty – look for “no-touch” signal to save them for the next generations to visit.
Nearby attractions to combine with Bach Dinh
Vung Tau offers a diverse array of attractions within easy reach of Bach Dinh White Palace, combining coastal vistas, colonial history, and spiritual sites. From the historic Vung Tau Lighthouse and the iconic Christ of Vung Tau statue to the scenic promontory at Cape Nghinh Phong, plus two contrasting beaches and cultural museums, you can build a full-day itinerary that enriches and complements your visit to Bach Dinh.
Vung Tau Lighthouse
Located on the top of Nui Nho (Small Mountain) at around 149 meters above sea level, the Vung Tau Lighthouse was initially built by the French in 1862 as a shipping beacon and rebuilt in 1913 to its current height of 170 meters. A 5-minute car ride or 15-minute walk from Bach Dinh, the lighthouse boasts 360° views of the peninsula and both Front and Back Beaches.
Christ of Vung Tau
The Christ the King Statue (Vietnamese: Tuong Chua Kito Vua), constructed in 1974 atop the same Small Mountain, is 32 meters tall with outstretched arms of 18.3 meters. It’s among the biggest statues of Jesus in Asia and provides a devotional setting and breathtaking coastal scenery.
Cape Nghinh Phong
Named “Cape Greeting the Wind” Nghinh Phong Cape is a seashore cliff projecting into the sea at Street 1, Ha Long, but a mere 950 meters away from Bach Dinh. Tourists flock in droves here to see its seashore and sky scene, natural “sky gate” photography spots, and the sheer thrill of sea wind blowing against the cliff.
Front Beach (Bai Truoc)
Immediately below Bach Dinh Vung Tau, Front Beach boasts a broad crescent of golden sand in front of a palm-lined boulevard stretching from Tran Phu to Quang Trung Street. Ideal for an early morning or evening stroll, the beach is conveniently placed so that it can be paired with a trip to Bach Dinh and seafood stalls and local coffee shops.
Mulberry Beach (Bai Dau)
On Big Mountain’s opposite slope (Nui Lon), there is Mulberry Beach, a more isolated seaside haven characterized by rocky outcrops and rolling waves. It is favored by photographers and those in search of a tranquil coastal retreat within a 10-minute drive from Bach Dinh Vung Tau.
Ba Ria-Vung Tau Provincial Museum
About 2 kilometers north of Bach Dinh, the Ba Ria–Vung Tau Provincial Museum displays local artifacts, such as military memorabilia, antique ceramics, and the renowned Robert Taylor collection of weapons. In a charming French colonial villa, it provides context for the broader provincial history and rounds out the colonial exhibit at Bach Dinh White Palace.
Ngoc Huong Monastery (Tinh xa Ngoc Huong)
About 2 kilometers away at 32 Dinh Tien Hoang Street is the peaceful Buddhist temple Ngoc Huong Monastery, famous for its flower-shaped lotus ornaments and peaceful gardens. A visit here offers a moment of reflection amidst masterful roof carvings and peaceful pagoda lawns, wrapping up a culturally enriching day in Vung Tau.
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Bach Dinh encapsulates the charm of Vung Tau through its elegant French architecture, royal artifacts, and panoramic ocean views. It’s a must-see destination that perfectly balances culture, history, and natural beauty. Paired with nearby spots like Front Beach or the Vung Tau Lighthouse, your trip becomes even more enriching. Make sure to add Bach Dinh to your travel bucket list for a deeper appreciation of Vietnam’s past and its preserved beauty.
Read more: Exploring Nghinh Phong Cape: Vung Tau’s coastal gem
