The funding is part of the French region’s project to assist Thua Thien-Hue province in preserving ancient houses in the former imperial city of Hue, which are in the danger of becoming ruins or being dissembled to be sold to other localities because their owners can’t afford to restore them.

The city currently has nearly 900 ancient houses, including 237 in need of restoration. They are mostly located in the city’s wards of Phu Hiep, Bao Vinh, Phu Cat, Kim Long and Gia Loi.