In 1814, Emperor Gia Long ordered the digging of An Cuu River, which was a narrow tributary at that time, as well as the construction of dams with the purpose of collecting water for irrigation and desalination of tens of thousands of acres of fields in the downstream area.

After many years of preparation, the restoration of Thai Hoa Palace (Palace of Supreme Harmony) has just begun by Hue Monuments Conservation Center. This has been so far the biggest restoration which succeeds the results of the previous restorations (from 1833 – 1945).