Located on a hill and reflecting the bell tower into Xuan Huong Lake, a school with the oldest history in the Central Highlands has been recognized by the World Association of Architects (UIA) as one of the 1,000 typical architectural works of the world in the 20th century and was recognized as a National Architectural Monument in 2001. When coming to Da Lat, visitors can learn many more interesting things. about this school at Lam Dong Provincial Museum.
The oldest school in the Central Highlands
The school was first sketched by the initiative of architect E.Hébrard, but was boldly and ingeniously designed and built by architect Moncet. At the end of 1927, the school officially started construction on a flat hill with a natural land area of about 8 hectares. The southwest slope has a slope of about 50 - 60 degrees, tilting towards Xuan Huong Lake. The southeast slope has a relatively high slope, approx70 - 80 degrees, looking down at the Geography Department area (now the Da Lat Map Enterprise). The east side of the school is relatively flat and was built into a multi-purpose soccer field for students to play.
To build this special project, the French mobilized hundreds of highly skilled Vietnamese laborers, bricklayers, and carpenters from all over the country. Because the school's structure is relatively complex, the workers worked very hard, overcoming many difficulties and hardships during 8 years in the cold weather to construct according to the drawings of the French architects. In 1935, the construction of the new school was completed.
Initially, this school was called "Petit Lycée Dalat", a place reserved for children of French officials, soldiers and some wealthy Vietnamese landowner families to study. In 1932, the school changed its name to "Grand Lycée de Dalat Lycée Yersin" to commemorate the explorer, doctor Alexandre Yersin - who discovered Da Lat in June 1893.
In 1975, the school changed its name to Hung Vuong Education Center - a high quality training center throughout the South. In September 1976, the school changed its nameinto Da Lat Pedagogical College, with the function of training teachers for kindergarten, elementary school, and middle school and training educational managers at these educational levels.
On August 18, 2022, according to Decision No. 753/QD-LDTBXH of the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, Da Lat Pedagogical College, Lam Dong College of Economics and Technology and Da Lat Vocational College merged into Da Lat College. In particular, Da Lat Pedagogical College is the headquarters of Da Lat College.
Unique classical architecture, one of a kind in Vietnam
Talking about the unique architecture of this school, architect Kundara Peki (Japanese) commented: "In terms of convenient and modern architecture, the world has a lot, and our country also has a lot. But in terms of uniqueness and cultural symbolism, this Vietnamese project is truly wonderful." Indochina newspaper at that time also highly appreciated this project: "It is a big house that no one in Da Lat can ignore." Indeed, the beauty of the school is expressed through many architectural detailsIndigenous architecture to create a harmonious architectural building between East and West cultures.
Instead of angular architectural patterns, this unique school breaks out by designing a row of classrooms in an arc shape, with a front length of more than 77m and a rear of nearly 90m, including 3 floors with 24 classrooms. The curve of the lecture hall is likened to the image of an open book, a symbol of vast knowledge with many things to learn and also a curve of aspiration. Talking more about this arc-shaped lecture hall, it has walls built from red ceiling tiles (creating a warm feeling in a cold, foggy country), imported from Europe and the roof is covered with blue-black Ardoise tiles (lithography) imported from France.
In particular, the highlight of the curved row of houses is the bell tower with a height of 54m. The bell tower resembles a pen rising high among the green pine trees. This is a symbol of a cultural work rising to the height of human knowledge and is a typical architectural feature of the Morger region, Alexandre Yersin's hometown. Outside the bell tower, there used to be a large clock, but it has been dismantled, leaving only traceson brick background. Standing at almost any high point of Da Lat looking towards the center, one can see the bell tower and the curved architectural symbol of this charming school.
Besides the two main blocks, the school also has other blocks placed in parallel used as halls, laboratories, dormitories... and a large yard where physical subjects such as basketball, volleyball, badminton are learned...
Regarded as a unique, one-of-a-kind classical architectural work in Vietnam as well as the world with a harmonious combination of East - West styles, Da Lat Pedagogical College was honored to be recognized by the World Association of Architects (UIA) as one of the 1,000 typical architectural works of the world in the 20th century. In December 2001, Da Lat Pedagogical College was recognized by the Ministry of Culture and Information as a National Architectural Monument.
- REFERENCES
1. Lam NewspaperDong Online (2016), Unique architecture of Dalat College of Education from archives.
2. Ho Chi Minh City Law Electronic Newspaper (2015), Da Lat Pedagogical College - world architectural heritage.
3. Thanh Nien Newspaper (2019), Unique architecture of Dalat College of Education.
4. VTC News electronic newspaper (2023), What is special about Da Lat Pedagogical College that makes visitors excited?
5. Lam Dong Electronic Information Portal (2022), Officially established Da Lat College on the basis of merging 3 colleges.
