1. White Palace Historical Cultural Relic

White Palace (Villa Blanche in French) is an architectural work with European architectural style of the twentieth century which is built on the foundation of the ancient Phuoc Thang fortress of the Nguyen Dynasty, is 27.7 meters high above sea level but just over 50 meters IV from the coast. Looking down from the lobby, we feel like we’re on the first floor of a building built on sea water. From the White Palace, one can see the entire Vung Tau city center from afar.

White Palace consists of three floors: the basement is nearly 4 meters deep underground for cooking, and the ground floor is level with the mountainside for reception. It also preserves the ancient interior decoration artifacts of the White Palace house, which was commenced in 1898, at the same time with large-scale architecture such as Hanoi Opera House, Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral and Saigon Opera House.

The White Palace is the retreat of the plenipotentiaries, as well as the resting and meeting place of the President and the Saigon generals. From September 1907 to 1916, King Thanh Thai was imprisoned here by French authorities. He was confined here for 10 years. Local residents respect this man, so they also call the White Palace the Ong Thuong Palace.

In 1916, King Thanh Thai and his son King Duy Tan were exiled to the island. The palace was used again as a resort by the Governors-General of Indochina. In 1934, the Palace was ceded to be a resort for Emperor Bao Dai and Empress Nam Phuong.

Since the country’s complete independence (1975), the White Palace has been owned by the Military Board of Vung Tau City. In 1976, the White Palace was assigned to the Central authority, Office of the Council of Ministers for management. In 1980, the National Oil Services Joint Stock Company of Vietnam took over and used the White Palace as a guesthouse for tourists. In mid-November 1989, the Chairperson of the People’s Committee of Vung Tau – Con Dao Special Zone assigned the Department of Culture and Information to manage the White Palace area, renovate, embellish and plan the area into a center of cultural and tourist activities.

The White Palace is also used by the Museum to display topics such as:

Pottery of the Kangxi period recovered from the ancient shipwreck in Hon Cau – Con Dao area; the collection of cannon guns and many other valuable artifacts found through archaeological excavations in Ba Ria – Vung Tau… Visiting White Palace, visitors will enjoy the fresh air of the sea, the beauty of White Palace mixed in the nature of plants and trees, and admire the typical and rare artifacts with their own eyes.

Since 1991, the ground floor of the White Palace has also been used as a museum displaying nearly 8000 unique artifacts from the collection of pottery antiques recovered from Hon Cau. Archaeologists believe these relics have been at the bottom of the sea for 300 years but have retained their gorgeous original glaze color. Right in the outdoor garden area of the White Palace, there is also a collection of antique guns that are very valuable in various aspects. It can be said that the presence of ancient collections, along with artifacts at the White Palace, with architectural, artistic and historical values of the White Palace… has become a unique museum that is attractive to visitors. In 1992, the White Palace in Vung Tau was recognized as a national historical and cultural relic.

During the plumeria flower season, visitors can admire plumeria flowers growing in clusters, and on the ground, plumeria flowers flood the path…visitors will feel lost in the flower forest, with the aroma occasionally comforting their heart. There are many types of plumeria flowers here: red, white, white mixed with yellow… contributing to enhancing the gentle and unique beauty of the landscape. Visitors will be satisfied and their souls will become relaxed, soft, and tranquil as they stand in front of a lyrical and majestic natural scenery of mountains, hills, and sea.