With revamp kicking off since late last year, the weather observatory used by the Nguyen dynasty (1802 – 1945), the country’s last monarchy reign, has recently been inaugurated and open to visitors.

The restoration of the observatory, which is part of the Hue royal palace, kicked off in October 2012 with the investment of VND3.8 billion (US$179,250). The restoration mostly includes revamping Bat Phong temple, one of the observatory’s key items, fixing the cracks and reinforcing other infrastructural downgrade.

The observatory, built in 1827 by King Minh Mang, (1791 – 1841), the Nguyen dynasty’s second king, who was a visionary, talented king. The edifice was used to make observations on astronomy, weather, and other natural phenomena, which would later be sent to a state agency for processing and releasing as weather forecasts and calendars.

With time, particularly the war scars, the key items of the observatory have sustained considerable structural damage.

In related news, the central Quang Nam province’s People’s Committee recently urged concerned ministries to provide funding for the province to kick off the project of restoring UNESCO-recognized Hoi An old quarter’s protective embankment from Cau pagoda to Cam Nam bridge.

The project, worth VND150 billion (US$7.08 million), is to be implemented in 2014 and 2015.

Impacted by annual flooding, a number of sections of embankments along the Bach Dang river have seen massive erosion, which threatens Hoi An old quarter.