Ung Thị

Ung Thị (14 October 1913 - 10 February 2001) was a prominent Vietnamese businessman who, together with his wife Nguyen Thi Nguyet Nga, built and operated the Rex Hotel and Cinema in Ho Chi Minh City. After the Fall of Saigon, Ung Thị sought refuge in France where he lived until his death.

Early life

Ung Thị was born Nguyễn Phúc Ung Thị into the Nguyễn dynasty, the last ruling monarchy of Vietnam. His grandfather was the renowned poet Tung Thien Vuong. His father, Hong Khang, founded the Lac Tinh Vien in Huế, classified as World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

In World War II, he voluntarily enlisted into the army and served alongside Dương Văn Minh in Savannakhet, Laos. He gained his law degree and worked as administrator for the Compagnie des Chemin de Fer in Hanoi. He was subsequently appointed as chief aide to the French Resident Superieur in Hanoi.

In 1946, Ung Thị married Nguyen Thi Nguyet Nga, great-granddaughter of Hoàng Cao Khải, Viceroy of Tonkin, and had seven children.

Rex Hotel and Cinema