Visitors experience "Searching for the lost palace" using VR technology

Focus on digital transformation

Recently (July 14, 2025), the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has just issued Decision No. 2450/QD-BVHTTDL on the program to promote digital transformation of smart tourism in the tourism sector.

The overall goal of the program is to apply achievements in science and technology to develop a smart tourism ecosystem, digitally transform the tourism industry in Vietnam; improve the capacity and efficiency of state management; promote tourism businesses to innovate business models, improve the quality of tourism services; create favorable conditions and enhance the experience for tourists. Contribute to developing tourism into a spearhead economic sector, ensuring sustainable development and international integration; contribute to the development of digital government, digital economy and digital society.

In fact, digital transformation in the tourism sector is of great interest to the local government and tourism industry. According to the leader of the Department of Tourism, the department has identified a development strategy based on three main pillars: Building smart destinations, creating smart experiences, and supporting smart management/business.

Director of the Department of Tourism Tran Thi Hoai Tram said that with the determined orientation, the Department of Tourism has been and is continuing to update the digital database system of Hue tourism industry: Accommodation establishments, travel companies and tour guides; forming an integrated digital information system about tourists, tourist areas, tourist attractions, and tourism service establishments in the city.

The electronic ticket system for visiting relics has been deployed at relic sites belonging to the Hue Monuments Conservation Center, allowing tourists to buy tickets online, scan QR codes when entering the site, minimizing contact and enhancing the experience.

At the Hue Monuments Conservation Center, digital identification has been carried out for Nguyen Dynasty artifacts at the Hue Royal Antiquities Museum, and the first metaverse cultural exhibition space (virtual universe) integrated with Apple Vision Pro glasses has been launched, opening a journey of applying technology to the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage values. In the coming time, we will continue to digitally identify artifacts and select typical artifacts to make certified F1 souvenir products. At the same time, we will open new tourism experience services through checking in at locations with NFC chips in the Hue Monuments Complex and some new tourism experience services using digital physical technology.

Tourism industry implements 3D digitalization of cuisine

The Department of Tourism and related units have also focused on and implemented the digitalization of tourism resources (heritage, cuisine, tourist destinations, etc.). The Department has also built 3D digital map software for Hue tourism; built utilities for searching, sharing information, booking services and making cashless payments, etc. In addition, smart tourism products associated with digital transformation such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), etc. have also been strongly developed to help tourists have new and unique experiences when coming to Hue, contributing to the successful implementation of Hue City's digital transformation goals, promoting the local socio-economic development.

Currently, the Department of Tourism has launched the Hue City Passport application to help increase the novelty in tourists' journey to explore Hue. The Hue City Passport application is not only a tool to provide destination information, but also brings many interesting experiences to tourists according to each suggested topic.

In order to enhance the experience for tourists, bring services and utilities using technology with modern and smart images to a destination, the Department of Tourism is developing an automatic explanation application for tourist attractions so that tourists can listen to explanations about relics anytime, anywhere, increasing the experience..., maximizing the value, creating novelty for the trip, bringing destinations to life, especially for international tourists traveling alone and tourists using rare languages (such as Italian, Portuguese, Thai, Korean, German, Cambodian, Indonesian...) that the tour guide - explanation team at the destination has not yet met.

Deploy multiple solutions

To promote strong digital transformation in the tourism sector, the local tourism industry has also built many groups of solutions, including a group of solutions applying digital technology and creative technology to tourism management and development.

Ms. Tram said that the local government and the Hue tourism industry are interested in building a tourism management system according to the roadmap and priority level for application projects: Serving people and tourism businesses; serving state management in the tourism sector; managing the quality of tourism services and tourist experiences; supporting the improvement of experience and safety for tourists.

Focusing on digital transformation in the tourism industry, prioritizing development in the direction of smart management, experience and promotion. Deploying digital government, digital economy and digital society in tourism activities. Upgrading Hue Tourism Information Portal and synchronous social media channels under the name Visithue. Building smart tourism products, online tools for searching, sharing information, booking services, electronic payments, expanding the application of automatic tour guides via smart mobile devices at other tourist destinations.

Visitors experience at Le Ba Dang Memorial Space

The tourism industry also deploys smart tourism applications on mobile devices that integrate digital tourism maps, virtual reality tours and direct travel scheduling (Hue Passport). Build a chatbot system to support tourism information, Booth (counter/area) to look up tourism information and virtual reality tours.

In the coming time, to build smart tourism in Hue in a comprehensive and sustainable way, the city needs to continue expanding the digital ecosystem by strengthening inter-regional connectivity, forming a smart tourism corridor between Hue - Da Nang to share data, synchronize the application system and improve overall promotion efficiency. The implementation of the inter-connected tourism electronic ticket system (City Pass) integrating many services will create convenience for tourists.

In addition, it is necessary to promote the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data in analyzing tourist behavior, personalizing experiences, optimizing schedules and coordinating resources. The city should also invest in developing virtual tourism spaces, such as recreating Hue Citadel and heritage sites in a digital or metaverse environment, to serve the needs of remote exploration, especially for international tourists. At the same time, supporting digital transformation for small and medium-sized enterprises through consulting centers, providing digital platforms, electronic payment solutions, etc. is a key factor to ensure inclusiveness. On the other hand, smart interactive applications such as multilingual automatic commentary, AR maps, or "gamification" of tourism itineraries should also be researched and applied to create a vivid, modern and attractive experience for tourists, especially the younger generation.

According to the leader of the Department of Tourism, in order to successfully and smoothly transform the tourism sector, the role of relevant units, businesses, business people and individuals is also very important. The Department will strengthen training on digital transformation awareness, skills in applying information technology, smart tourism, and information security for tourism businesses and the tourism community.

In addition, we will call on businesses and units to socialize the following contents: Public wifi systems; tourist information systems combining traditional visual entertainment programs with digital technology in Hue City. These orientations will contribute to making Hue a smart tourist destination with strong cultural identity, advanced in technology and friendly to tourists in the digital age.

MINH TAM

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/du-lich/day-manh-chuyen-doi-so-du-lich-thong-minh-156019.html