An investment of VND13.5 billion (US$840,000) from the State will be given to the preservation work in early 2008, said Phan Thanh Hai of the Hue Centre for Monument Conservation.

The temple, being used as a museum for royal antiquities, was built in 1845 as the Bao Dinh Palace which is now located in Tay Loc Ward in Hue’s royal citadel.

In 1908, the wooden structure was moved to its present location at 3 Le Truc Street, some 3km from the previous location.

It was later turned into the Long An Temple used as a library for the imperial training school for mandarins of the Nguyen dynasty. 

In 1925, it was renamed as the Khai Dinh Museum for the display of imperial antiques after a decree signed by emperor Khai Dinh.