King Bao Dai and the two most famous "concubines": The one who was loved by his mother-in-law, the one who died alone

Although being a second wife was not allowed to get married, but thanks to her ingenuity, resourcefulness and ability to take care of the ancestor worship of the royal family, Bao Dai's "second wife" Mong Diep was always loved by Duc Tu Cung. love. On the contrary, the "concubine" Phi Anh had to die alone and sick.

"The Concubine" Mong Diep was loved by the former Empress Dowager

Ms. Bui Mong Diep (SN 1924) is one of the unofficial wives of King Bao Dai. She was born in Bac Ninh to an ordinary family whose father worked in the railway industry. Since childhood, she lived mainly with her grandmother, then was picked up by her uncle in Hanoi to raise, feed and study. Here, she met and became the lover of doctor Pham Van Phan - Graduated from Indochina Medicine class 1935, at the age of 17. At that time, the reputation and position of Mr. Phan attracted the daughter of Kinh Bac. And the doctor was attracted to her salty and lovely beauty. The couple had a son together in 1944.

When Mong Diep wanted to get married, Doctor Phan did not agree because he had a wife and children, and his religion did not allow two wives. Therefore, she decided to cut contact with him and named her son Bui Huu Hung, taking his mother's last name.

After the August Revolution was successful, former emperor Bao Dai was invited to Hanoi to work as an advisor to the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. In September 1945, he met Mrs. Mong Diep at the tennis court. His young opponents on the field spoke of this magnificent woman. So he went to see her that same evening at her home.

After that, the two quickly moved to live in apartment 51 Tran Hung Dao street and had their first daughter together named Phuong Thao in 1946. During this time, the former emperor also went back and forth with Miss Ly Le. Ha, but still considers Mrs. Mong Diep as the "concubine" of the North. In 1948, the former emperor Bao Dai received the title of "Head of State" and took Mrs. Mong Diep to Da Lat to stay. She was also introduced to the former Empress Dowager, Duc Tu Cung. Although being a second wife is not allowed to get married, but thanks to her ingenuity, resourcefulness and taking care of the ancestor worship of the royal family, the "concubine" is always loved by Duc Tu Cung. She was also given hats to represent Queen Nam Phuong in the ceremonies. That was also the time when she and the former emperor lived the happiest.

In 1953, "Thu concubine" Mong Diep was commissioned by former emperor Bao Dai to bring the precious sword and the golden seal of the Nguyen Sang Phap dynasty. On this occasion, she brought her daughter Phuong Thao and stepchild Bui Huu Hung with her. In France, she returned the sword seal to the former Queen Nam Phuong. Then she gave birth to the former emperor two sons named Bao Hoang and Bao Son.

Bao Hoang was born in 1954 but was short-lived. He only lived for one year before he died of illness. And Bao Son was born in 1955, grew up to go to a prestigious school, passed and had a position in society. In 1987, he was traveling in Japan and when he was swimming in the sea, unfortunately, he was hit by a big wave and hit a cliff, so he died at the age of 32.

Since then "Thu concubine" Mong Diep only has a daughter, Phuong Thao. Phuong Thao married a rich Frenchman but did not live close to her mother, so she felt more and more lonely. She became self-contained and huddled in the small space of an average house located in an apartment block on Neuilly Street (district 12, Paris).

In that room, Mrs. Mong Diep always hung a portrait of the young king Bao Dai sitting, about 16-17 years old, wearing a royal robe. She said that the portrait was painted by a French female artist, but she did not understand why it was sold at a flea market. Fortunately, someone informed her, so she rushed over immediately and tried to buy the painting. From that day on, the painting still has a solemn place on the wall in the living room.

Life in a foreign land is sometimes difficult economically, but "Thu concubine" Mong Diep lives independently, without resorting to the help of the French government. Even after she no longer lived with the former emperor, she still took care of the worship of ancestors of the Nguyen Dynasty, in accordance with the duties of a real princess. Therefore, on the ancestral altar, in the central position, she dedicated to worshiping Duc Tu Cung, former Emperor Bao Dai and her two sons. But the most important is the Buddhist refuge paper of King Bao Dai (taking refuge at Bao Quoc Hue pagoda).

In June 2011, Ms. Mong Diep had to undergo surgery due to a neck injury, but due to a pre-existing heart condition, she could not survive. She died at 12 noon on June 26, 2011, then was buried at Thiais cemetery in Paris with her two sons Bao Son and Bao Hoang.

When he was still alive, "Thu concubine" Mong Diep once wished to return to Vietnam to rest at the end of his life and when he died, he was buried with Duc Tu Cung. She also wanted to donate the documents she had kept since Bao Dai abdicated, but due to her advanced age, she could not return home.

"Thu concubine" Phi Anh had her house confiscated, her family separated

Le Thi Phi Anh (SN 1925) is an unofficial wife of former emperor Bao Dai. She was born into a wealthy family, belonging to a prestigious family: her brother-in-law is Phan Van Giao, then the Premier of Central Vietnam; Uncle named Le Quang Thiet - son of King Thanh Thai.

During her lifetime, Mrs. Phi Anh was a wonderful beauty that made many boys stand still. She was white, tall, with a high nose, bright eyes, and very beautiful. She met Bao Dai in Da Lat at the time when he returned home and accepted the position of "Head of State". The two quickly fell in love... And it's not clear how her brother-in-law "said" to Bao Dai, but after having sex, he "gifted" her a large amount of money.

According to a relative in Phi Anh's family, Bao Dai was given a slap by his mistress. She then explained that she wanted to be the emperor's concubine, not a prostitute. At that time, he realized, not only was he not angry, but he loved the "concubine" more.

However, at that time Bao Dai was no longer the king, so she could not be an unscrupulous thing. During the time in Da Lat, "Thu concubine" Phi Anh was very favored by Bao Dai. However, Phi Anh did not attend receptions, could not be close to the former Queen Mother, did not go to Buon Ma Thuot to go hunting with Bao Dai like "Thu concubine" Bui Mong Diep.

It is known that Ms. Phi Anh gave birth to Bao Dai 2 children: the daughter is Nguyen Phuoc Phuong Minh (SN 1950) and died in the US in 2012. The son is Nguyen Phuoc Bao An (SN 1951).

After Bao Dai was deposed and went to France, an incident happened with "Thu consort" Phi Anh. Her home was confiscated and her family separated. Then she walked again but no happiness. In 1978, this husband of hers successfully crossed the border to the US and sent a guarantee, but at that time, because her son Bao An was married, he could not afford to leave, so he waited for a new opportunity to come. While waiting to go to the US, Ms. Phi Anh contracted cancer and died alone in Ho Chi Minh City in 1986.

It is known that for each lover, King Bao Dai gave a private villa. Researchers said that Phi Anh's villa was the most special among the three because it was built in the unique Spanish architecture style. The best ever in Da Lat. The villa consists of two blocks connected by a semicircular corridor with the outer wall built of natural stone.

Today, Phi Anh villa is still intact and has been restored and upgraded to put into tourism business. Currently, people are still talking about the mysteries surrounding this villa: There are statues of Cham girls and reliefs bearing oriental cultural features such as lotus flowers and bird heads.

These are all oriental things that exist inexplicably in a villa built in Spanish architecture. After many times changing hands, now this villa has a new name, Phu Dong restaurant. An owner of the villa said that it has not been modified much but is still kept in its original state.

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