Ba Vi: French Influence
Ba Vi is located 70 kilometers from Hanoi, at a height of 1,100 meters above sea level. The climate is fresh and cool the whole year round. And it is because of these conditions that from the early 40s of the last century, the French selected Ba Vi as the ideal place to build resorts for the foreign country's senior military officers.
Ba Vi is a haven of French architecture. Colonel mansion, church, and political prison, villas and resorts are built at specific landmarks 400, 600 and 1,000. The colonel place can be found at landmark 600, a traditional French design with a barbed wire fence; two-meter. 0.5 meter-thick stone walls; and submarine gun emplacements.
A summer camp for the children of France and the colonial government officials and four rowns of rock houses was also built in the forest. Strategically placed among giant trees such as oaks, chestnuts, ca lo, and khao, just to name some, the overall effect is both a beautiful view and safe home.
The collapsed church is located in the jungle, 800 meters above ground. The roof has been long gone, leaving the whole structure vulnerable to the elements. The cross still remains, but the whole cathedral is covered in moss, mold, mist, grasses, and even trees, having been empty for many years. But then again, the sight is a stunning evidence of both history and beauty.
Landmark 800 is an orphanage with doorways and arches evident of a typical French erchitecture. In the Western slope of the Tan Vien Peak is the political prisons which were built to imprison revolutionaries. They are placed 1,000-1,100 meters above ground and have a total area of almost 1,000 meter squared. The system is arranged into three zones: Zone 1 for the wardens; Zone 2 and Zone 3 for prisoners. The prison system can hold between 100-200 prisoners.
Ba Vi can be reached in many ways, but Highway 32 through Son Tay Town is the fastest route. Most, if not all, structures in the area may have been damaged through time, but the evidence of a solid and stable French architecture foundation can be clearly seen, that is why Ba Vi is an favorite place for tourists who are looking for a peaceful place to visit, as well as photography enthusiasts who have a quick eye for beauty among ruins.
