In the context of digital transformation (DX), heritage is gradually being integrated into daily life through innovative approaches. Digitalization not only facilitates to preserve heritage but also opens up opportunities for it to become a valuable development asset while reaching wider communities.

From preservation to value creation

Preservation has always been the primary objective of heritage digitalization. The culture sector and most localities across Dak Lak province are gradually exploiting digital data to serve the community as well as create novel value from heritage.

In Phu Yen ward, the Lam Phu Lam architectural together with artistic relic has completed the transcription of royal decrees from Han Nom script to Vietnamese, combined with built a QR code system for residents alongside tourists to easily look up information. According to comrade Nguyen Ho Bao Khoi, Vice Chairman of Phu Yen Ward People’s Committee, digitalization not merely helps to smoothly manage but also facilitates relics to connect with smart tourism platforms, automatic audio guides, or virtual reality technology.

Tourists experiencing a demo of Gong Music through 3D virtual reality glasses, introduced by a technology company at the Dak Lak Museum.

At the Lac Giao Temple National Historical Site (Buon Ma Thuot ward), information about its formation history, architectural value, and cultural significance has been standardized coupled with integrated into a digital platform. Tourists can simply scan the QR code to access automated explanations or explore background information before arriving. The site has also been incorporated into digital tour routes along with other destinations. The integration of digital maps, destination information, images, together with data makes the exploration journey more convenient alongside flexible.

Beyond providing information, technology creates entirely novel ways of experiencing history. Products such as QR code tours, automated explanations, combined with 360-degree images are gradually bringing history closer to the public. Furthermore, DX enables students to access heritage through digital resources beside hands-on experiences, contributing to improving the effectiveness of local history education.

It is evident that digitalization is gradually transforming heritage from preserved values into resources serving economic development, tourism, education, as well as promoting the local identity.

For heritage to truly “live” with the community

However, much remains to be done to ensure heritage truly “lives” in modern life. Numerous historical sites have not yet been digitized; documents remain in their original physical form, while a digital database has not yet been established. Challenges extend beyond limited funding to shortages of specialists with expertise in history alongside culture, as well as possessing the knowledge coupled with technological skills to standardize data.

A UNESCO delegation surveying and recording the current situation at the An Tho Citadel National Archaeological Site (Tuy An Bac commune).

The Department of Culture is currently proposing to deploy the project “Building a cultural heritage database in Dak Lak province” with the goal of forming a unified digital data repository throughout the province. Specifically, 177 historical and cultural relics, scenic spots, along with 13 typical intangible cultural heritage sites will be digitized through using various multimedia data combined with building a centralized database. Notably, the DX roadmap also aims to build a smart heritage tourism ecosystem with an electronic ticketing system; a promotional website; 3D GIS Map models, 3D maps, along with online tours.

Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr. Nguyen Le Vu, said: DX will turn heritage into a resource serving education, research, communication, promotion, as well as smart tourism, etc. Thereby, heritage will genuinely “live” in today’s life, contributing to socio-eco development coupled with affirming the provincial cultural identity.

Translated by TRINH THUY