transition - AsiaLIFE Magazine

Elephant ceremony at the Royal PalaceElisa Bui, the granddaughter of Bao Dai’s second “wife”Bui Mong Diep, shares photographs from the royal family’spersonal collection and her own memories of Vietnam’s lastemperor. As told to Beth Young.Elisa Bui’s recollections of her grandfather, thelate Bao Dai, are hazy. She remembers a kind man,who reminisced about Vietnam and spoke oftenof his longing to return. A man who cared for herfather as if he were his own, adoping him oncehe and Elisa’s grandmother became a couple. Sherecalls Bao Dai would take his adopted son onextravagant hunting excursions in Alsace, France.While he was a collector of beautiful things,Bao Dai had humble taste, namely the omelettesElisa’s mother Luce would prepare for him. Andhis clothing of choice while in the comfort of hisown home was simple pyjamas.Elisa’s greatest connection to Bao Dai is hergrandmother, Bui Mong Diep. Now over 80 andliving alone in France, she became one of the emperor’s'wives' after a chance meeting on a Hanoitennis court.They were never formally married, but MongDiep was deeply admired by the Vietnamesepeople for her charitable work. This continuedeven after the couple left Vietnam for Francewith Mong Diep funding poor students to attenduniversity in her new home.It’s through her eyes that Elisa grew to knowBao Dai. Now she honours him in her own way—through a line of baby clothing called Sa MajesteBebe, which Elisa says is for, “little kings andqueens”.Sa Majeste Bebe is available at Gaya and Small isBeautiful.Famous photograph of Bao DaiBui Mong Diep34 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 35