from june 26 to september 7, 1954, this palace was used as the temporary official residence of the prime minister (ngô đình diệm), since norodom palace was still occupied by french high commissioner gen. paul ely. bảo đại renamed the palace to gia long palace, and its street was renamed gia long street (from la grandìere). this was also the last residence of president of the republic of vietnam ngô đình diệm, beginning 27 february 1962 after norodom palace was bombed and partially destroyed by mutinous air force pilots. diệm had been prime minister since 1954, and president since 1955, but originally lived in the independence palace until it was bombed by two mutinous pilots of the republic of vietnam air force. as a result, diệm had to relocate, and ordered a new palace to be built, moving to gia long palace in the interim. it was the last place diệm worked before his assassination on 2 november 1963 in a coup d'etat.