As its name suggests, Bach Dinh (The White Palace), is painted white, a color that stands out against the greens and blues of its surroundings in Vung Tau: the deep green of the trees on Nui Lon (Big Mountain), the sapphire of Bai Truoc (Front Beach), and the clear blue of the year-round sunny sky. When construction began in 1898, Bach Dinh was named after the daughter of Governor-General Paul Doumer – Blanche Doumer, whose given name means “White” in French. Overlooking the East Sea, the three-story tile-roofed mansion on the slopes of Nui Lon is a poetic landmark, with architecture reminiscent of buildings in the Mediterranean regions of Southern France and Italy. Since its inauguration in 1902, it served as the residence or vacation home of many French governors-general, princes, and politicians of the past. 

Discreet elegance and pride

Before discussing its historical significance, Bach Dinh stands as a beautiful structure on its own, situated in a quieter, less densely built-up area of Bai Truoc (Front Beach), compared to Bai Sau (Back Beach). Bach Dinh provides a tranquil space that fully exudes an air of solemn dignity. It serves as a perfect example of Neoclassical rationalist architecture with Renaissance influences. The main rectangular building is located on a crescent-shaped hill, complete with jade-colored ceramic balustrades. From a distance, Bach Dinh does not flaunt its exterior. Instead, visitors must navigate through a winding slope amidst rows of teak trees and kapok trees, then pass by groves of white plumeria whose colors change with the seasons, all serving to accentuate the grand residence. Bach Dinh’s facade faces the sea, simultaneously embracing the natural beauty of the landscape and keeping a discreet distance from the bustling city streets.             

The arched windows and doors with louvred shutters, painted in a heavenly shade of pale blue, are a poetic and signature characteristic of the building. The arrangement of five arched doors on the spacious ground floor, bordered by red tiles, contrasts with the upper floor’s configuration, which includes a cluster of six small arched windows in the center and two on either edge. This diminishing structure is a common architectural technique found in Mediterranean mansions, particularly in Southern France and Italy. The most remarkable detail on the facade is a mosaic frieze below the roof, along with eight semi-nude statues of goddesses in green ceramic, positioned in purple circular frames facing the sea and on both gables of the building. These elements add artistic highlights to the construction, imbuing it with an air of luxurious elegance. The ornate frieze features Western female faces mythologized within circular frames, interspersed with undulating lines resembling vines and peacock figures, typical of the Art Nouveau style. This style, which emphasizes inspiration from nature, is common in luxurious European buildings of the same era.