Transforming the experience at Hanoi's historical sites:

From the end of 2025, many historical sites in Hanoi have boldly revamped their tourism products, applying technology and creative approaches to enhance the visitor experience.

This will not only breathe new life into the heritage site but also create a significant impetus for the development of tourism and the cultural industry in the capital city in 2026.

Tourists experience the "Vietnamese Soundscape" night tour at the Temple of Literature - National University complex. Photo: Khanh Huy.

When historical sites become creative spaces.

On January 1st, 2026, the Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giám Cultural and Scientific Activities Center officially launched the "Vietnamese Soundscape" night tour, a new experimental cultural tourism product promising unique and captivating experiences for visitors in 2026. In the brightly lit Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giám historical site at night, visitors can experience various cultural spaces such as strolling through Khue Van Cac, Thien Quang Well, and the Bai Duong area; visiting the traditional craft village area, the calligraphy space, and concluding with a traditional music experience.

According to Le Xuan Kieu, Director of the Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giám Cultural and Scientific Activities Center, along with the night tour using 3D mapping lighting technology launched in 2023 and upgraded to a new version in 2024, the "Vietnamese Soundscape" night tour is a novel experiment in which traditional values ​​are honored in a modern approach.

“We hope that when the public visits the Temple of Literature - National University, they will not only appreciate it as a symbol of scholarship and learning, but also as a place where Vietnamese scholarship converges and spreads. Through traditional music and art, the program aims to broaden the approach and highlight the educational value of the site in contemporary life,” Mr. Le Xuan Kieu shared.

Not only the main historical site, but also the Van Lake area within the Temple of Literature - National University complex has been renovated and transformed into a new creative space, becoming a meeting point for Hanoi's creative community and domestic and international tourists. Here, there are stalls showcasing the finest traditional crafts and Hanoi's culinary brands. In the evening, Van Lake is brilliantly illuminated, attracting visitors with various experiential activities, most notably non-profit art performances for the public.

Ms. Nguyen Thuy Trang (Thanh Xuan ward) expressed her surprise when visiting the Temple of Literature - National University during the New Year of 2026: “The Temple of Literature - National University is increasingly attractive with its cultural experience programs that are rich in educational value. Creative activities with open connections to many cultural spaces have brought a very new and familiar experience...”.

Technology as a foundation

The digital space at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel Heritage Site attracts tourists for visits and experiences. Photo: Hoang Quyen

Resolution No. 09-NQ/TU dated February 22, 2022, of the Hanoi City Party Committee on the development of the cultural industry in the capital city for the period 2021-2025, with orientation to 2030 and vision to 2045, emphasizes the application of scientific and technological achievements and innovation to preserve and promote the value of traditional cultural heritage of the capital city. With this spirit, many historical sites and destinations in Hanoi have continuously innovated by applying technology to become closer to the public. Many sites offer unique experiences through the application of technology, such as the "Ngoc Son - Mysterious Night" night tour at Ngoc Son Temple using 3D mapping effects combined with performance art; and the Van Mieu night tour telling the story of philosophy through light...

Recently, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel Heritage Site launched a series of new products, applying technological elements and performances to enhance the visitor experience and interaction. Along with the "Memories of the Flagpole" tour, which combines heritage site visits, exhibitions, and art programs, the "Thang Long Capital" performance, utilizing 3D mapping technology and digital experiential spaces, has become a highlight in the creative activities at the heritage site.

According to Nguyen Thanh Quang, Director of the Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Center, the application of technology and art forms in new tourism products not only aims to bring heritage closer to the public but also contributes to improving the quality of experiences and enriching the cultural tourism products of the capital city. This also reflects the desire to innovate the approach to heritage, contributing to the formation of a creative space that awakens historical memories, leading visitors into the thousand-year flow of Thang Long - Hanoi through carefully designed, interactive stories, images, spaces, and experiences. These programs are not simply high-tech visual performances, but also a strong affirmation that the thousand-year-old heritage remains vibrant, breathing the spirit of the times, and continuing to spread historical and cultural values ​​on a foundation of new creativity. These activities also implement the city's Digital Transformation and Cultural Industry Development Strategy.

Not only tourist destinations, but also tourism businesses are actively innovating their experiential products for visitors. The "Hanoi Beautiful Sound" bicycle tour, launched by the Hanoi Department of Tourism in collaboration with Vietnam Sustainable Tourism Company (VIETNAM STID) and TNGo from December 19, 2025, highlights the integration of the TNGo public bicycle application and an automated audio guide application with GPS positioning, offering a completely new experience for tourists.

According to the Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, Dang Huong Giang, new tourism products not only innovate the form of experience but also demonstrate flexible adaptation to modern trends through the creative and effective application of technology. Through this, the products contribute to improving the quality of the tourist experience, while affirming the spirit of innovation and creativity in line with the city's directives. In the future, the Hanoi Department of Tourism will continue to cooperate with localities and units to develop innovative tourism products that meet the increasingly high demands and trends of tourists.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/doi-moi-trai-nghiem-tai-di-tich-ha-noi-cu-hich-cho-phat-trien-cong-nghiep-van-hoa-729483.html