Untold Stories: Vietnam’s Best Kept Secret

Emperor Bảo Đại — one of the most controversial figures in Vietnamese history — declared Vietnam’s independence from French rule on March 11, 1945. Coincidentally, exactly 60 years later, on that same date in 2005, I founded Luxury Travel (now LuxGroup). A decade later, inspired by Emperor Bảo Đại, I launched Emperor Cruises, a brand that pays homage to Vietnam’s last emperor.

I embarked on my third cruise project, inspired by Emperor Bảo Đại, and decided to name it Emperor Cruises Legend Nha Trang. It is a legend in itself — a floating masterpiece in the stunning Nha Trang Bay.

By coincidence, or perhaps fate, I visited Emperor Bảo Đại’s tomb at his mausoleum 10 years ago when seeking inspiration for the Emperor Cruises Origin yacht in Nha Trang — a city where the former emperor once owned a seaside retreat.

In 2017, I launched Emperor Cruises Legacy Halong, marking exactly 20 years since Bảo Đại’s passing in 1997.

Returning to France after 30 years, I revisited Bảo Đại’s tomb, laid a wreath in his memory, and began work on the Emperor Cruises Legend Nha Trang, a 99-guest yacht designed to sail the breathtaking Nha Trang Bay.

Together with my wife, Hường Đỗ, who now leads Lux Cruises Group, we continue our mission to tell the stories of Vietnam’s heritage from the 1930s. Through our boutique cruise experiences, we connect the past with the present — narrating the tales of lands, seas, and people while elevating cultural heritage, cuisine, architecture, and fashion to bring history closer to both domestic and international travelers.

Emperor Bảo Đại — a remarkable yet often misunderstood figure in Vietnamese history — remains a subject of intrigue and mystery. When my wife first visited Hue, she asked me about Bảo Đại’s tomb. Recently, she finally had the chance to pay her respects after visiting the other Nguyễn dynasty mausoleums in Hue.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Bảo Đại’s life is the mysterious connection to the number 13 — a symbol of misfortune that seemed to shadow his life and fate.

Nam Phương Empress, Bảo Đại’s wife, also harbored intriguing secrets. Although born in the same year as Bảo Đại, she adjusted her birth year to 1913 to adhere to traditional customs. She maintained her Catholic faith after marrying Bảo Đại and became the first officially crowned empress of the Nguyễn dynasty.

During my research on Bảo Đại, I had the privilege of meeting Nguyễn Đắc Xuân, a renowned Hue historian, as well as Patrick-Edouard Bloch, Bảo Đại’s 13th and youngest child, born from his relationship with an Alsatian woman in Strasbourg.

These encounters revealed many previously unknown stories — hidden royal secrets and a more balanced understanding of Emperor Bảo Đại. He was not only a monarch but also a nationalist who loved his people and pursued independence, freedom, and happiness for his nation.

When invited to Hanoi to serve as an advisor to President Hồ Chí Minh, Bảo Đại famously declared:

“I would rather be a citizen of an independent nation than an emperor of a enslaved country.”

I later acquired a precious lacquer painting depicting the historic meeting between Emperor Bảo Đại and President Hồ Chí Minh — a powerful image of national unity.

Bảo Đại’s life was also marked by romance. He met Mộng Điệp, his lover from Bắc Ninh, and the couple lived together at 51 Trần Hưng Đạo in Hanoi — a place filled with memories and history.

Bảo Đại’s life unfolded in four distinct phases. He left behind a legacy of 10 villas and retreats spread across Vietnam. Perhaps, Bảo Đại was Vietnam’s first luxury traveler — a man who enjoyed the pleasures of slow living, hunting, luxury cars, private planes, and indulgent experiences.

Through my research, I’ve collected rare documents, books, vintage postcards, lacquer paintings, and historical artifacts that have become integral to the Emperor Cruises brand. Each item tells a unique story, adding depth to the cruise experience.

It is a legend. It is Emperor Cruises.