Hoang A Tuong Palace: Enjoy Enchanting Escape Through Time

Hoang A Tuong Palace is an old, beautiful house in Bac Ha, Vietnam. Plus, it is full of history, color, and charm. You may not know its story yet, but it has so much to share. If you feel tired of crowded places and want to see something new and real, this is for you.Take a closer look and see why!

Overview of Hoang A Tuong Palace

• Address: 257 Ngoc Uyen, Bac Ha Town, Bac Ha, Lao Cai 31300, Vietnam
• Opening hours: 8:00 – 17:00
• Adult ticket price: 20,000 VND
• Children’s ticket price (6 – 16 years old): 10,000 VND
• Children < 6 years old and disabled people: Free of charge.
• People who are eligible for the policy get a 50% discount on ticket prices.

Hoang A Tuong Palace is in Bac Ha Town, Lao Cai Province, up in northern Vietnam – about 300 km from Hanoi. It’s a great stop if you’re heading to the highlands and want to explore something unique and full of history.

Getting there is pretty easy. From Hanoi, you can hop on a bus to Sapa, which takes about 6 to 7 hours. If you’re thinking about taking the bus, here are a few trusted ones worth checking out!

Then it’s another 90 km or so to Bac Ha by car or local transport. Or, if you want to go straight there, you can take a direct bus from Hanoi to Bac Ha – it’ll take around 8 hours. Once you arrive in Bac Ha, the palace is right in the town center, so it’s super easy to find.

History of Hoang A Tuong Palace

Origin of The Name

Hoang A Tuong Palace was built from 1914 to 1921 by Hoang Yen Tchao, who belonged to the Tay ethnic group. You might wonder why the palace wasn’t named after him. Actually, he named it after his son, Hoang A Tuong. His son was smart and talented from a young age, so Hoang Yen Tchao trusted him to take care of everything in the house. That’s why the palace carries his son’s name.

The Hoang Family’s Story During French Colonial Rule

Back then, Bac Ha was a semi-feudal society, and many local H’mong people called Hoang Yen Chao “The King” because he ruled a big area and lived a rich life.

To find the best spot for the palace, Hoang Yen Chao asked a geography expert to look for a place with good balance in nature. After exploring Bac Ha, they chose a location with hills behind, rivers in front, and a mountain shaped like a mother holding a child nearby.

Hoang Yen Tchao, Hoang A Tuong’s father also controlled the sale of salt, daily goods, forest products, and even opium. His family supplied food and supplies to the French soldiers and their helpers. Because of this, Hoang Yen Tchao and his son were very powerful in Bac Ha. But their control caused a lot of difficulties for the local people. 

The palace was designed by French and Chinese architects who wanted it to bring happiness, peace, and success to the family. The Hoang family lived there until 1950, then left, and the palace was empty for a long time. Most of the furniture disappeared, but the beautiful and unique design stayed intact. In 1999, the palace was named a national historic and artistic site. Today, it is a popular place for tourists visiting Bac Ha who want to see its amazing history and architecture.

What Is Special Design about Hoang A Tuong Palace? 

1. Cultural Fusion in Architecture

The design of Hoang A Tuong Palace reflects a unique fusion of two different cultural influences, as the two architects came from distinct backgrounds. This blend is evident in the Western architectural features, such as the laurel branch motifs embossed on the entrance doors, which symbolize happiness and prosperity. Other Western elements include arched balustrade doors, house columns, and round staircases, all contributing to the palace’s distinctive style.

2. Architectural Structure & Layout

The palace itself was a special architectural structure for its time, serving not only as the residence for Hoang Yen Chao and Hoang A Tuong but also as a working fortress. It consists of 36 rooms covering a total area of around 4,000 square meters. The walls surrounding the palace on all four sides are fortified with holes similar to those of a fortress and guarded for protection.

3. Main Building and Surrounding Structures

The main mansion is a two-story building flanked by auxiliary houses on both the left and right sides. Each room is beautifully decorated both on the façade and inside. Visitors walking up one of the two front staircases arrive at a waiting room before stepping into a large courtyard. The domed-door house, which has four rooms on its two sides, was traditionally used for family activities, while the central rooms functioned as meeting venues.

4. Auxiliary Houses and Functional Spaces

On the left and right sides of the domed-door house, there are two rows of horizontal houses, each with two floors built lower than the main house. Each floor contained three functional rooms that served as living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms for the three wives of Hoang Yen Chao, the two wives of Hoang A Tuong, as well as accommodations for two French and Chinese advisors. Behind the main house, there are two simple two-story buildings used as warehouses for soldiers and servants.

5. Materials and Construction Techniques

The construction materials used for the palace include local limestone, sand, molasses, beeswax, cement, and steel, with cement and steel being transported by plane from Hanoi and Lao Cai. The palace’s materials and design reached the highest level of Vietnamese architecture at that time, combining durability with aesthetic detail.

Timing Your Visit: The Best Time to Explore Hoang A Tuong Palace

• Anytime, but spring is really the best: Honestly, you can explore Hoang A Tuong Palace all year round, but if you come in spring, you’ll get to see something truly special – the mountains and hills around are covered with beautiful white plum blossoms. It’s such a peaceful, magical scene that makes your visit even more memorable. 
• Mid-year plum season: If spring doesn’t work for you, try coming around mid-year. That’s when the plums are ripe and ready for harvest. It’s a cool time to see the local nature in full swing and learn a bit about how the people here live and enjoy their fruit. 
• Bac Ha Horse Racing Festival: And if you want some real excitement, plan your trip around the Bac Ha festival, especially the horse racing event on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month. It’s a huge celebration with thrilling horse races, colorful traditional clothes, music, and a lively crowd. It’s one of those experiences that really lets you soak in the local culture and energy.

Attractions Near Hoang A Phu Palace

• Bac Ha Market: Bac Ha Market happens every Sunday morning and it’s such a fun place to be! You’ll find delicious local food, beautiful handmade crafts, and during festival times, there’s singing and dancing that really brings the market to life. If you want to experience it all without the hassle, join our Bac Ha market tours  –  we’ll take you right into the heart of the action!
  

• Fairy Mountain (Nui Co Tien): Co Tien Mountain, right in Bac Ha District, is a beautiful spot that blends nature with local culture. Not only does it offer great views, but it also has a meaningful shrine with a statue of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva. Along with Bac Ha Market and Hoang A Tuong Palace, it’s a must-visit when exploring the area. 
• Trung Do Temple: This 300-year-old temple holds historical and spiritual significance for the local people. The site includes heritage architecture and offers insights into the region’s cultural past. 
• Can Cau Market: Taking place on Saturdays, this market is known for its ethnic diversity and vibrant atmosphere. Visitors can see traditional clothing, buy local products, and enjoy lively cultural exchanges. 
• Cao Son Market: A traditional market offering visitors a chance to explore local customs and purchase unique products directly from ethnic minority groups living nearby.

Conclusion

Hoang A Tuong Palace is a nice and quiet place. It has a lot of history and old buildings. When you go there, you can see beautiful walls and calm gardens. The palace feels special and peaceful. It’s a good place to relax and learn about the past. I think everyone should visit once. You can enjoy the simple beauty and imagine what life was like a long time ago. It’s a place that makes you feel happy.