In Liverpool I used to go clubbing at a place called the Krazyhouse. But the Crazy House in Dalat is a very different experience. It serves as both a hostel and an architectural exhibit, another example of Dalat’s love for art.
The Moon Villa, more commonly known as the Crazy House, was designed by architect Dr. Dang Viet Nga. Dr. Dang Viet Nga studied architecture in Moscow before returning to Vietnam. Eventually he would transfer to Dalat, where he would start building the Crazy House in 1990.
Obviously I needed to visit this place while I was in Dalat to see another part of the town’s culture. In its location in the middle of the city it is surprisingly well hidden, but once you pay the 80,000 VND entrance fee you’ll be able to enter the building and explore its secrets.
The shape of the building is designed to resemble the roots of a tree, with several parts of it rising from various trunks. It twists around itself, corridors winding through it and bridges twisting from one section to the next.
Exploring the place reminded me of the Maze Bar, though this place seemed… mazier? I spent hours wandering around, discovering alcoves and new features of the building, including hidden places where you could still glimpse the outside world.
Some of the bridges that spanned the site seemed dangerous to walk along, with minimal places for handholds. Though the building seems small, you can actually get pretty high when you climb the steps up to these places.
Each part of the building has its own theme, ranging from a traditional cottage, to a building possessed with demonic hands reaching around it. Another area is based around the ocean, giving you the sense you are exploring underwater.
There are many statues here, some of them simple garden ornaments, others grotesque totems of humans being attacked by owls. Some areas hold Chinese dragons, while others have octopuses bursting out of the walls.
Near the back of the building there is an almost hidden garden. This part of the villa is more serene and calm. Though branches of steps still twist through it, it feels more like a traditional garden you might find in an old mansion.
Within this garden is a coffee shop where you can take in the scenery while enjoying Vietnamese coffee or grab a bite to eat. Unfortunately it was closed when I found it, so I was unable to stop for a break.
The Crazy House is also a hostel so you can actually stay here if you want! I got to see one of the honeymoon suites as it was unoccupied, and they’re really comfortable and welcoming rooms. Of course, you’ll have to navigate the tree maze every time you want to leave.
It was almost closing time when I was satisfied I’d explored every nook and cranny of this place. It’s a remarkable building that demonstrates Dalat’s unique culture of supporting art. I leave the Crazy House, back onto the Vietnamese streets, and think about how boring the buildings look to me now.
