Preserving heritage in the language of the digital age.

Beyond simply preserving memories, digital transformation is helping historical sites in Hai Phong open up new, vivid, and relatable ways of storytelling, transcending spatial limitations.

By simply scanning the QR code, visitors can learn more about the historical site (photo provided by the site).

Through this, heritage truly "lives" in the digital age, while simultaneously shaping systematic investment strategies for future development.

Experience historical sites in the digital space.

One morning in early 2026, Mr. Le Minh Quan, a tourist from Hanoi, visited the Bia Temple (Tue Tinh commune) for the first time. Without waiting for a tour guide, Mr. Quan only needed a few seconds to scan the QR code placed at the entrance. On his phone screen, the entire historical site appeared in 360-degree images, with a clear introduction to its history, architecture, and scholarly traditions. With just one QR code scan, Mr. Quan was able to "travel back in time," learning about the life and career of the great physician and Zen master Tue Tinh through images, videos , and an automated voiceover. "I've visited many historical sites, but the way things are done here is quite modern. There's no need for crowds; each visitor has their own space to appreciate the experience," Mr. Quan said.

For those living far from home, the digital space holds even more special significance. Mr. Nguyen Trong Xuan, originally from Cam Giang commune but currently residing in New Zealand, was thrilled to find the website camgiang360.vn, which allowed him to vividly view the historical sites of his homeland. With just a click of the mouse, he saw every corner of the Mao Dien Temple of Literature, every space coming to life on the website thanks to sharp 360- ^degree images and a warm, soothing voiceover, making him feel as if he were walking directly through the historical site. From the triple-arched gate, the bell tower, to the courtyard, the front hall, the Khai Thanh shrine, the imperial examination hall… everything appeared with each click of the mouse. Clicking on the rear hall, the image of the altar appeared clearly and solemnly, making Mr. Xuan feel as if he were standing in the middle of the altar performing the ceremony, deeply moving him.

"Thanks to the digital platform about my hometown's historical sites, I was able to return home in a very special way. Even though I was just browsing online, I felt like I was actually walking through the grounds of the historical site, sitting under the trees and admiring my hometown. I also recommended the website to many of my friends here so they could admire the special historical sites in my hometown," Mr. Xuan happily shared.

According to Mr. Ha Quang Thanh, Head of the Cam Giang Relic Management Department (Con Son - Kiet Bac Relic Management Board), feedback from tourists shows that digitalization has changed the approach to visiting relics. Tourists are no longer just 'looking' but truly 'experiencing'. They proactively choose information, time, and pace of visit that suits their personal needs. In fact, the project to build a digital database and map of relics, implemented since March 2025, has helped make relic sites in the former Cam Giang district more widely accessible, even to those who have not had the opportunity to visit in person.

After each trip, visitors can still access the materials to continue their learning, so these historical sites don't just "lie dormant" in one place but become open sites, extending the experience beyond the actual visiting time.

With just one click of the mouse on the camgiang360 website, the historical sites come to life vividly.

Digital transformation strategy for heritage

According to preliminary statistics, Hai Phong currently has nearly 500 historical sites and tourist destinations that have been digitized and equipped with QR codes. The digitization of these sites and destinations in Hai Phong has contributed to preserving heritage values ​​while expanding public accessibility, helping these sites transcend geographical boundaries and become vividly present in the digital environment. More importantly, digital transformation is becoming a lever to enhance the visitor experience, support heritage education , and create a foundation for sustainable and modern tourism development in the context of deep integration.

Hai Phong has identified the digital transformation of historical sites and scenic spots as a long-term task, closely linked to its cultural and tourism development strategy in the new era. Going beyond simply attaching QR codes or building individual digital maps, the city is aiming for a synchronized digital ecosystem for its heritage.

In the draft master plan for tourism development in Hai Phong city until 2030, with a vision to 2045, one of the key tasks for the coming period is to build a unified heritage database across the city, gradually forming an interconnected "digital heritage map". In particular, typical historical sites, especially those belonging to the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son and Kiet Bac World Heritage complexes, will be prioritized for investment in VR 360 virtual reality technology, multilingual explanations, 3D imagery, and standardized data to serve conservation and research.

From a tourism development perspective, Mr. Mai Xuan Thang, Chairman of the City Tourism Association, believes that by "visually experiencing" destinations through technology, tourists can proactively book tours, routes, and services quickly. This solution not only optimizes time and saves costs but also ensures that each journey exploring the port city becomes more enjoyable, safe, and fulfilling.

Another important direction is the development of large-scale digital heritage projects, connecting historical sites with smart tourism. Digital platforms will not only provide information but also integrate functions for visitor experiences, feedback, and reviews. The collected data will serve as a basis for management agencies to monitor visitor numbers, regulate capacity, and promptly implement solutions to protect historical sites.

As directed by Vice Chairman of the Hai Phong City People's Committee Nguyen Minh Hung, communication and promotion will be intensified using digital technology and data, building smart tourism maps and an AI-integrated destination data system… Implementing this directive begins with digitizing information on each historical site, heritage site, and tourist destination in Hai Phong.

In the long term, Hai Phong aims to develop digital heritage products with high economic and cultural value: digital museums, paid virtual tours, and digital archives on festivals, beliefs, and famous figures. These products will both promote the city's image on the global internet and generate resources for reinvestment in conservation efforts.

Mr. Ha Quang Thanh believes that digital transformation helps solve the conflict between preservation and development. When historical sites are "shared" in the digital space, the pressure on the original heritage will decrease, while cultural values ​​will continue to be strongly disseminated. This view is also shared by many tourism experts, who argue that digital experiences will stimulate the demand for real experiences, rather than replacing physical historical sites.

It is evident that, from the specific experiences of tourists to strategic directions and investment projects, Hai Phong is gradually building a new approach to promoting heritage values. Historical sites are not only preserved using traditional materials, but are also "protected" and disseminated through digital data – the common language of the era – helping Hai Phong's heritage reach further and sustainably in the flow of integration…
LINH HUY

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/bao-ton-di-san-bang-ngon-ngu-cua-thoi-dai-so-533049.html