Da Lat has three mansions associated with King Bao Dai — commonly called Palace 1, Palace 2 and Palace 3. Now that Palace 1 has reopened from 15/6/2026, visitors can once again plan a tour of the whole cluster of historic mansions amid Da Lat's pine forest. Below is the information on each palace and a handy 1-day itinerary.
Getting to Da Lat to start your trip
From Nha Trang, you can book a Nha Trang – Da Lat bus ticket from Go365 (about 135km, ~3.5–4 hours over the Khanh Le Pass) to reach Da Lat, and book the return Da Lat – Nha Trang when your trip ends. For schedule and pickup advice: 0789.9000.77.
Palace 1 – King Palace
- Address: No. 1 Tran Quang Dieu, Ward 10.
- Features: the most lavish palace, with spacious grounds shaded by pines, a secret underground tunnel, a lookout pavilion and beautiful stone paths.
- Status: just reopened from 15/6/2026, currently free to visit (ticket policy may change).
Palace 2 – the Governor's Palace
- Address: Tran Hung Dao Street.
- Features: once the summer residence of the Governor-General of Indochina; a quiet, secluded space.
- Status: rarely open to the public, mainly used for events and requires advance booking — you should ask before going.
Palace 3 – the Summer Villa
- Address: Trieu Viet Vuong Street.
- Features: the main residence of King Bao Dai's family, still keeping many original artefacts, bedrooms and a cosy atmosphere — the most-visited palace.
- Tickets & hours: tickets around 40,000–60,000₫, open about 7:00–17:30 daily (prices may change).
A 1-day itinerary for the 3 palaces
- Morning (8:00–9:30): start at Palace 1 while the light is nice, take photos of the grounds and explore the underground tunnel.
- Midday (11:00–13:00): move to Palace 3 to tour the summer villa; there are many eateries nearby for lunch.
- Afternoon: if you have booked ahead and Palace 2 is open, drop by Palace 2; if not, spend time on nearby spots such as the tea hills, Da Lat railway station and Xuan Huong Lake.
Getting around between the palaces
The three palaces are about 10–15km apart, on winding hill roads, so walking is not convenient. Within the city, the most comfortable options are a taxi, a ride-hailing motorbike or hiring a car with a driver to stay flexible with timing and add more stops. For help arranging a car for the whole group, call 0789.9000.77 for Go365's advice.
Small tips
- Go in the morning to avoid Da Lat's typical afternoon rain.
- Bring a light jacket and flat shoes; the palace grounds have many slopes and greenery.
- Check the opening status of Palace 2 in advance, as it rarely welcomes individual visitors.
Go365 VietNam helps you book transport and plan sightseeing in Da Lat. Book a Nha Trang – Da Lat bus ticket or call 0789.9000.77 for a smooth tour of the 3 Bao Dai Palaces.