In the digital era, virtual reality (VR) tourism has emerged as a key trend in the travel industry. Using VR headsets or 3D platforms, visitors can explore destinations through immersive, lifelike simulations without having to be physically present.

Following the merger of the former Phu Yen province and the former Dak Lak province, the new Dak Lak now encompasses both the highland landscapes of the Central Highlands and the coastal beauty of Phu Yen, creating strong potentials for diverse tourism products. Amid the context of ongoing digital transformation, adopting VR for tourism promotion and management has become an essential step.

A screen display introducing Dak Lak tourism highlights on the phuyenvrtour virtual reality platform.

According to the Dak Lak Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the province is developing a digital platform to support tourism promotion. Key initiatives include upgrading the tourism information portal at dulichdaklak.gov.vn; expanding communication channels on social media (Fanpage, YouTube…); operating a 24/7 advisory hotline; introducing automated audio guides and 3D displays via hienvatdaklak.baotangso.com; conducting 3D scanning for the thematic collection “Traditional costumes of ethnic groups in Dak Lak”; providing VR experiences at demo-map.vietnaminfo.net/tours/baotangdaklak; and integrating QR codes at historical and scenic sites for convenient information access.

These solutions aim to establish a synchronised digital tourism ecosystem, facilitating information access for visitors and promoting the local image on the online environment.

A highlight is the “Dak Lak - Phu Yen VR Tour” project developed by Nguyen Pham Bao Hau. The website phuyenvrtour.com, previously the first VR platform of Phu Yen, has now expanded to Dak Lak, showcasing destinations, culture, cuisine, and the daily life of ethnic groups in the Central Highlands. Attracting thousands of visits, the website has become a vivid promotional channel, contributing to sparking local pride and inspiring tourists to experience the destinations in person.

Young visitors enjoying a VR tourism experience at a cafe.

Mr. Tran Hong Tien, Director of Dak Lak Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated that the province boasts rare natural and cultural advantages. He noted that building and developing specialised digital platforms for tourism is an urgent and strategic task aimed at enhancing competitiveness and promoting international integration. “Developing digital tourism is not merely about improving competitiveness but also serves as a sustainable path for international integration, turning Dak Lak into an attractive, friendly, and modern destination”, he affirmed.

VR technology is gradually bringing the image of the country and people of Vietnam in general, and Dak Lak in particular, to the global stage. This is not just a story of technology, but a transformation in the modern tourism mindset – where experience, creativity, and emotion go hand in hand.

Translated by KHUONG THAO