Hmong King’s Palace – Vietnam’s Golden Triangle Opium Link
PART 5: Northern Vietnam Adventure Series
Route 2: Life Melody in A Rocky Kingdom
The Hmong King’s Palace was built in 8 years, consuming 150000 coins of silver, an equivalent of VND 150 billion (US$7.5 million) today.
I thought that the second day was just a rather long ride back down to Ha Giang City. Also, the weather was not on our side: foreboding clouds seemed pregnant in dark gray silhouettes. Also, there’s the cold creeping from the soft yet chilling breeze, and fog rolling in from all four directions – this is definitely not the weather we are expecting.
But I was dead wrong, surprises came in small unexpected packages. Never thought that Route 2 was a stopover after another.
Hmong King’s Palace
On our first stop over, the road connected into a turtle hill like mound in the middle of a rocky terrain, an auspicious location according to Feng Shui. We parked the car and proceeded to the entrance and paid the fee.
Ancient Sa Moc Trees lined up a 15 stone steps leading up into a fortress too big for the venerable commune of Sa Phin. With Cherry Blossom trees flanking the garden, the two story mansion stood right before us.
It was built by Vuong Chinh Duc who got the nod of the French colonial rulers to build a mansion and trade opium because Sa Phin commune is the middle point of opium from Golden Triangle region.
Opium Trade
It has three small courtyards, designed in the influence of both the Qing Dynasty and Hmong Ethnic Tribe. The palace had 4 horizontal and 6 vertical rows.
There were 2 stories with 64 rooms including the living room, working rooms, bedrooms of the king his wives, bedrooms for the family members, rooms for the servants and soldiers as well as arsenal, food depot and opium depot.
The most interesting decoration I noticed that linked me to thinking the Vuong’s Family is really into Opium trade is the Poppy Patterns in the circular metal supporting the foundation.
Where is the Hmong King’s Palace?
The palace is located inside the Sa Phin Commune, some 15kms from the town of Dong Van and 431kms north of Hanoi.
Hanoi, Vietnam: Underneath the Nón Lá – located on the eastern Indochinese Peninsula, this was once a French city often dubbed as the “Paris of the East”, a gateway to a plethora of natural wonders, people, culture and amazing food. From rich forests, karst and tectonic landscapes, towering mountain peaks, UNESCO listed sites, ethnic markets, and effusive local hospitality – let us take you into an adventure of a lifetime up into the northern reaches of Vietnam!
This is my third country visited last March 22 to 26, 2019.
Northern Vietnam Adventure Series 2019
The Roof of Indochina: Mt. Fansipan Travel Guide 2019
Ha Giang Loop: A Journey through Vietnam’s Northern Frontier
Ha Giang: A DIY Budget Travel Guide to Vietnam’s Final Frontier
Ha Giang’s Quan Ba Fairy Bosom
Mã Pí Lèng: The Legendary Mountain Pass Above the Clouds
Ha Giang’s Ethnic Rendezvous: Dong Van Sunday Market
Lung Cu Flag Pole: Vietnam’s Last Vestige
Hmong King’s Palace – Vietnam’s Golden Triangle Opium Link
Hanoi, Vietnam: One Night Only in the Charming Old Quarters
Inside the Bay of Dragons: Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
Have you tried the Ha Giang Loop in Vietnam? How was it? Share your awesome stories in the comments section below!
Hmong King’s Palace – Vietnam’s Golden Triangle Opium Link
Updated April 30, 2019
