Discovering the story behind Vietnam’s ‘Crazy House’

Unpredictable, eccentric, and stunning – the Crazy House (also called Hang Nga Guesthouse) in Dalat, a charming mountain getaway in southern Vietnam, can be described in many ways.

One thing is certain: This 'crazy' architectural masterpiece is truly one-of-a-kind.

Contrasting sharply with Dalat's elegant French colonial villas, this avant-garde guesthouse is a labyrinth of spiral staircases, sculptural rooms, flowing forms, vibrant colors, narrow walkways, and hidden corners.

The visionary behind this extraordinary design, 79-year-old Dang Viet Nga, describes it as the ultimate realization of her artistic vision.

‘The Crazy House represents the culmination of my life’s work and creativity – everything came together in this design,’ says Dang, the daughter of Vietnam’s former General Secretary Truong Chinh, in an interview with Dinogo Travel.

‘I aimed to create something truly unique, groundbreaking – unlike anything the world has seen before.’

A true testament to creativity

After earning her PhD in architecture in Moscow, Dang spent several years working in Russia before relocating to Hanoi, where she contributed to government projects.

During a business trip to Dalat, Dang says she fell in love with the lush scenery, mild climate, and warm-hearted people, and dreamt of eventually settling there.

In 1983, she moved to Dalat with her 8-year-old son, Nguyen Viet Thang.

After years of working on government-funded projects that stifled her creativity, she felt an overwhelming urge to finally express her artistic vision.

In February 1990, she began sketching the designs for the Crazy House. Instead of traditional blueprints, she used a series of vivid paintings to bring her imaginative vision to life.

As a piece of expressionist architecture, the house features no right angles, only flowing, organic shapes inspired by nature, such as mushrooms, shells, caves, and spider webs.

‘To work with this form, you need to free your mind,’ she explains. ‘There are no strict rules – only basic structural guidelines to ensure safety and stability. The rest is all about self-expression.’

When it came to building the house, Dang incorporated a variety of materials, including steel, wood, and concrete.

‘My mother favored concrete because it’s affordable and easy to mold,’ says her son Nguyen, now 44.

‘Since she can shape it any way she wants, it truly represents her inner vision,’ he adds.

Less than a year after its conception, the guesthouse opened its doors and began welcoming its first visitors.

Bringing nature closer

Today, the Crazy House feels like a living, breathing woodland fantasy come to life.

‘I believe that, over the past century, humanity has caused significant damage to nature – not just in Vietnam, but globally,’ says Dang. ‘That’s why I wanted to create a structure that reconnects people with the natural world.’

At the heart of an open courtyard, an elevated main house, resembling something from a fairy tale, stands surrounded by four massive treehouses.

Curved cement ‘branches’ that also function as bridges twist and stretch between the different structures, allowing guests to easily move from one house to another.

At first glance, the otherworldly forms evoke surreal scenes from a Salvador Dalí painting or the fluid designs of modernist architect Antoni Gaudí.

The whimsical theme extends into the treehouses, where 10 guest rooms, each named after an animal or plant, are filled with organic shapes, cave-like beds, and wooden seating arrangements.

‘Reconnecting with nature is the core message I wish to convey through this house,’ says Dang.

‘But it’s also about encouraging others to think beyond the conventional. Don’t be confined by rules or expectations – free your mind and let your creativity soar.’

True to her own philosophy, Dang continues to envision new additions to the property, while Nguyen now oversees the operations.

She’s currently planning two new gardens – a Land Garden and a Sky Garden – designed to bring more greenery and blooms, along with an additional treehouse.

‘I’d say Crazy House will never be truly finished,’ says Nguyen. ‘It’s like a living organism. It’s constantly evolving.’

Visitor Information

In addition to booking a stay in one of Crazy House’s uniquely themed rooms, guests can also explore the Dalat attraction for a small fee. While there isn’t an on-site restaurant, drinks and snacks are available at a kiosk in the garden.

Crazy House, 3 Huỳnh Thúc Kháng Street, Ward 4, Da Lat City, Lam Dong, Vietnam; +84 263 3822 070