Crazy House In Dalat, Vietnam

The Crazy House. © Marla Brown

The Crazy House in Dalat, Vietnam

Tucked away in a mountain resort town in southern Vietnam, this unique guesthouse offers travelers a one-of-a-kind experience.  The Crazy House (also known as Hang Nga Guesthouse) is a maze of narrow bridges, little hidden nooks, wild staircases, fabulous murals, vibrant colors, and tree trunks and branches, all tucked into its natural surroundings.

The Crazy House is a popular tourist attraction and a mini-hotel.

An Architect’s Call To Nature

The natural surroundings at the Crazy House. © Marla Brown

The creative 79-year-old Dr. Dang Viet Nga envisioned this guesthouse. She earned her architecture degree in Moscow in 1965 and subsequently completed her PhD. After her time in Russia, she moved to Hanoi to work with the Ministry of Construction and Culture.

In 1983, she was transferred to Dalat, where she worked for the Building Institute.  Her love for the town's beautiful landscapes, its climate, and the good nature of the local people led her to stay and live her life there.

From 1990 to 2010, her dream of the Crazy House became a reality.   Her desire to break from traditional architectural practices soon gave form to the open, curvy, and unique one-of-a-kind architecture. 

The architecture at the Crazy House. © Marla Brown

The Design

One of the first things you notice when you enter the Crazy House is the cool climate amongst the natural trees and water designs.  It feels like you are walking into a fairy tale.   

Bringing nature to the Crazy House grounds. © Marla Brown

Dang Viet Nga has designed the Crazy House to bring nature into people's lives.  She hopes to inspire people worldwide to protect our environment and decrease deforestation.  She expresses these ideas through her creative design, the unique surfaces, and the natural materials used in the construction. 

Crazy House. © Marla Brown

Fairy tale architecture. © Marla Brown

The Staircases

Staircases are everywhere at the Crazy House. Here are some of the designs.

The Aquarium Gallery

The "Aquarium", also known as the "seabed on the plateau", truly feels like a fairy garden. You will be immersed in the colors of the sea and nature as you enter the second floor.

The Aquarium Gallery at the Crazy House. © Marla Brown

The design in the Aquarium Gallery. © Marla Brown

A mural in the Aquarium Gallery. © Marla Brown

To learn more about the architect, visit the second floor at the Aquarium. © Marla Brown

The Guestrooms

A guest room at the Crazy House. © Marla Brown

A guest room at the Crazy House. © Marla Brown

A guest room at the Crazy House. © Marla Brown

When To Visit

 There are two seasons in Dalat, Vietnam: rainy season and dry season. Between October and March is the dry season, and you are best to visit during these months.

The Crazy House is open daily from 8:30 am to 7:00 pm. I would give myself a few hours to explore all of the beautiful architecture and natural surroundings.

Stay At The Crazy House

 If you are interested in staying in one of the guest rooms at Crazy House in Dalat, Vietnam, simply visit their website or use your favorite accommodation site, such as www.booking.com, where prices start at $32 USD/night.

Dalat, Vietnam, is a beautiful place to visit, should you find yourself in southern Vietnam. The Crazy House is just one of many great things to do in the region. The unique architecture and design are sure to bring some color into your day!

All my best,

Marla