Perched atop the outermost mountain of the Do Son Peninsula, Van Hoa Castle was originally built in the 1920s as the Hotel de la Pointe. It was once the private property of a Hai Phong woman married to a Frenchman.
The estate's history shifted dramatically when it was nationalized after the 1945 August Revolution, a turning point that secured the country's independence from French and Japanese occupation.
A decade later, in 1955, Hai Phong authorities took over the management of the landmark. It was eventually assigned to Van Hoa One Member Co., Ltd. to run as a tourism destination.
A large park and a sprawling square sit just in front of the castle, providing enough space to accommodate hundreds of vehicles.
According to local residents, the estate's original twin front towers were once its most striking feature. However, they were damaged during wartime and eventually rebuilt into the design seen today.
A new era for the estate began in 1992, when Van Hoa Company teamed up with United International Business Ltd. of Hong Kong to launch a joint tourism and entertainment venture.
By 1995, this partnership had transformed the historic site, with the Do Son Casino officially opening its doors within the castle walls.
Today, the castle's main gates remain locked, though a "Do Son Casino" sign still hangs at the entrance.
About a decade ago, casino operations were relocated to the valley below. The business moved to the newly built Do Son Resort & Hotel to offer more integrated hospitality services.
Following the move, the historic castle was closed to the public and has been deteriorating ever since.
On the ground floor, a glass canopy lies shattered, exposing its rusted iron framework.
Warning signs have been erected around the area to block public access to the deteriorating structure.
Inside, the building now serves as a makeshift storage space for discarded items.
Throughout the interior, the walls, ceilings, and corridors show significant signs of dampness and decay.
The sidewalks, observation pavilions, and lamp posts along the front square have fallen into disrepair, now serving as temporary shelters for construction workers.
Currently, the entire Van Hoa Castle site falls within the planned Hai Phong International Convention, Trade, and Tourism Center project.
The new development is expected to break ground around May 13, coinciding with the anniversary of Hai Phong's liberation. Backed by a total investment exceeding VND2.11 trillion (US$80 million), the project aims to completely transform the area.
Plans for the complex include a nine-story, five-star hotel with approximately 180 upscale rooms and a convention center capable of seating 1,000 guests. The site will also feature a casino and a dedicated electronic gaming area equipped with around 600 machines.
Despite the extensive modernization, the developer has pledged to preserve the location's historical value.
Van Hoa Castle and the surrounding Hill 72 landscape will be retained and undergo full restoration. To elevate the visitor experience while maintaining Do Son's spatial heritage, the historic grounds will be further enhanced with new green spaces and walking paths.
