Visitors pose dressed in traditional royal garb at former king Bao Dai’s mansion in Nha Trang

Dress up like royalty, sit on the king’s throne, and eat a meal fit for nobility-all in a day’s visit to former emperor Bao Dai’s estate in the central beach town of Nha Trang.

Built on the beach beside Chutt Mountain, four kilometers from the center of Nha Trang, the villas offer panoramic views of the sea in the cool, ocean breeze.

Travelers can stay in one of the French-style villas’ 48 fully-equipped rooms and enjoy lush gardens, old trees and colorful flowers.

The two most popular villas are Nghinh Phong (Welcome the wind) and Vong Nguyet (Enjoy the moonlight), where the royal couple spent summers.

The manors also serve as exhibition rooms, displaying items from the king and queen’s lives, as well as photos and shows documenting the history of the Nguyen kings.

Travelers can sit at Queen Nam Phuong’s dressing table to look at themselves in the Royal Mirror. And visitors can also get one step closer to the nobility of times past by dressing up in the royal attire of the former kings and queens.

A golden throne sits near the villa’s entrance along with several rows of chairs, where tourists can take photographs in traditional regal outfits.

A set of royal garb consists of the king and queen’s gowns, crowns and cloth shoes. Mandarins’ clothes are also available.

As kings and queens, you can then sit on the throne under colorful parasols and have photos taken by a professional photographer. You can have the pictures printed on calendars or dishes.

Vong Nguyet manor, linked with Nghinh Phong via a garden, has a view of all of Nha Trang.

From Vong Nguyet, tourists can take a small road down to a calm, sandy beach called Hoang Hau (Queen) to swim, sunbathe or go fishing. Tennis and volleyball courts are also open for use.

The complex was built by the French in 1923 as a residence for scientists working at the Institute of Oceanography. The manor was given to Bao Dai after he was enthroned by the French colonists three years later. It has been used as a hotel-restaurant since 1975.

Bao Dai was the last king of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802- 1945), the last feudal monarchy of Vietnam. He abdicated in 1945 and moved to France in 1955, where he remained until his death in 1997.

The king’s lavish lifestyle and various love affairs have been favorite topics for writers and film directors.

To get to the Bao Dai Villas, take Tran Phu Street south until Vinh Nguyen Ward, where you will see a mountain on your left. Make a left hand turn just before the Oceanographic Institute.

Reported by Phan Huy Tram