Technology awakens heritage values

Photo caption — Tourists successfully check-in at Kien Trung Palace, Hue Imperial City. Photo: Mai Trang/VNA

When technology breathes life into heritage

In the wave of global digital transformation, virtual reality technology has emerged as an effective tool to help tourists explore destinations in a new and deeper way. Not only simulating images, technology also has the ability to convey culture, enrich experiences and contribute to preserving heritage values.

In Vietnam, the product “In Search of the Lost Royal Palace” developed by the Hue Monuments Conservation Center is considered a typical mark. Through AR glasses Nreal Air Glass, visitors are led back to the Nguyen Dynasty in a virtual reality space, where royal ceremonies, the changing of the guard at Ngo Mon or art performances at Duyet Thi Duong are vividly recreated at the original location. Not only restoring ancient architecture, technology also evokes historical memories and connects emotions, creating a realistic and culturally rich experience.

Not only in Hue, digital technology is also spreading in many localities. In Quang Binh , MobiFone has coordinated with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to deploy a series of projects to digitize museums, cultural spaces of the Chut people and especially tourist attractions in Phong Nha - Ke Bang. Thanks to the application of 360-degree photos, 3D models, virtual reality videos and digital explanations, viewers can explore remotely with a near-real experience. "Not only does technology help preserve heritage better, it is also a bridge to help heritage get closer to the public, especially the younger generation," said Mr. Phan Thanh Hoai, Director of MobiFone Quang Binh.

Notably, technology does not stop at simulation. When designed properly, virtual reality technology is not just a “technology demonstration” tool but can tell stories, convey culture, and enrich experiences at the destination. Mr. Dang Hong Nguyen Khang, PhD student at the New Jersey Institute of Technology - USA, commented that VR should not stop at simulating images. A truly attractive product needs to awaken many senses such as vision, hearing, emotions and must have cultural depth.

At the same time, artificial intelligence (AI) is also changing the way tourism businesses build products. Mr. Nguyen Tien Dat, General Director of AZA Travel Tourism Company, said that in the past, designing tours required experienced personnel with deep knowledge of the product, but now AI can completely take on most of this work, contributing to personalizing the customer experience.

However, experts still note that virtual reality technology cannot completely replace field experiences. Instead, this is a stepping stone to inspire, attract and prepare users before participating in real tourism. Especially in preserving and introducing heritage to the community, technology is contributing to transforming "static" spaces to become more lively and flexible than ever.

Towards a smart tourism ecosystem

The explosion of XR technology, AI and digital platforms is contributing to fundamentally changing the tourism operating model. Thanks to digital platforms, businesses no longer depend on intermediary distribution channels but can directly approach users, provide services, and personalize the journey with just a few operations on the phone.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong commented: “For tourism, digital transformation is inevitable and objective. When applying digital technology, artificial intelligence and smart platforms, the industry will develop very quickly and sustainably.”

To realize this goal, Vietnam has issued the Master Plan for Tourism Development to 2030, the Tourism Digital Transformation Project, and projects to build smart tourism in localities. However, the digitalization journey still faces many challenges, especially in popularizing technology to different customer groups.

According to Master Tran Tuyen, from the Center for Research and Development of Sustainable Tourism (CST), University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Ho Chi Minh City National University, young visitors have a higher level of access to technology, but if designed simply and friendly, the VR experience can be completely suitable for older visitors.

In addition, many people are concerned that technology will replace humans, especially the role of tour guides. However, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Van Hanh, Director of CST, said that technology does not eliminate the role of tour guides, but rather elevates them to become "living storytellers" in the virtual world. It is the emotional interaction and the ability to lead authentically that makes humans still irreplaceable.

Experts predict that 2025 will be the year when AR technology becomes popular, similar to the spread of QR codes in recent years. The integration of AI, personalized experiences, lightweight, easy-to-use devices will open up great potential for the tourism industry. Although there is still a long way to go, with the support of policies and proactiveness from businesses, virtual reality technology is gradually on the way to becoming a driving force to help the Vietnamese tourism industry adapt more quickly, deeply and sustainably in the digital age.

Source: https://doanhnghiepvn.vn/van-hoa/cong-nghe-danh-thuc-gia-tri-di-san/20250716085928054