Wat Aham was originally constructed in 1527 on the site of the ancient animist shrine to the legendary Khun Burom's loyal servants Phou Nheu and Nha Nheu, who are revered as devata luang of Muang Sua. This shrine was demolished by the wat's founder, devout Buddhist King Photisarath, following the promulgation of an edict to ban the worship of spirits, but was subsequently maintained and may still be seen today within the compound of the wat, complete with its ritual wooden masks and horsehair costumes. An example of Luang Prabang Style III (Xieng Khouang Style) temple architecture, the present sim was rebuilt in 1818 by King Manthatourath ().