Ruined ancient villas in Da Lat

VietNamNet Bridge - Da Lat is known as the land of flowers, with temperate climate and French villas built in the early 20th century. However, dozens of nearly 100-year-old villas in the city have seriously degraded.

VietNamNet Bridge - Da Lat is known as the land of flowers, with temperate climate and French villas built in the early 20th century. However, dozens of nearly 100-year-old villas in the city have seriously degraded.

In the early 20th century, French colonialists petitioned the French governor-general, Paul Doumer, to create a resort center in the highlands. By 1907, Da Lat had been selected as the location for such a town and started urban planning under the leadership of Ernest Hébrard.

The French planner endowed the city with villas and boulevards, seeking to recreate a town similar to those in the Alps. Wealthy French from all over Indochina flocked to Da Lat, building elaborate villas.

Before 1975, Da Lat had 1,500 villas, most of them in French style. After the end of the war, owners of the villas fled and the buildings were put under the administration of local authorities. Some villas were turned into offices while others were assigned to State officials, and the rest were left empty.

Many villas are in ruins. The local authorities are seeking ways to preserve the villas.