Tour guide in the 4.0 era

With the synchronized upgrading of transportation infrastructure, especially the main road at km31 leading to the Phu Dinh Revolutionary Base Area, the number of visitors to this "red address" region is increasing. In 2025 alone, Phu Dinh commune welcomed 1,761 groups with 75,856 visitors. This change in visitor numbers has led to a change in the quality of work for tour guides.

Tour guides share information with tourists at the Khau Ty hut historical site (ATK Phu Dinh historical site).

Ms. Hua Thi Nga, a tour guide who has been associated with Phu Dinh for many years, shared about the changes in her work: "Over the past year, the Phu Dinh Revolutionary Base has changed a lot. The Ho Chi Minh Memorial House and the Phong Tuong Hill historical site have been renovated to be more spacious, and signage and QR codes have been installed everywhere. Before, I only focused on welcoming and guiding tours."

But now, with tens of thousands of visitors each year, it's impossible to provide attentive service without technology. My colleagues and I now also act as "digital tour guides," instructing visitors to scan QR codes to listen to automated explanations and view digital maps of historical sites.

The story of tour guide Hứa Thị Nga is proof that current heritage preservation efforts combine maintaining the original state with digital interpretation. Technology does not diminish the role of the guide, but rather gives them more time to delve into emotional stories, connecting visitors with history.

The digital transformation wave is not only taking place at historical sites, but also at cultural institutions. With the merger of administrative boundaries expanding the tourism space, tour guides face a "double" challenge: they must possess extensive knowledge and be proficient in managing tours on digital platforms.

Tour guide Hứa Thị Nga (ATK Phú Đình Historical Site) introduces local specialties to visitors.

Ms. Sam Thi Nhan, Deputy Head of the Outdoor Museum Department, who has guided hundreds of tour groups at the Museum of Vietnamese Ethnic Cultures, believes that technology is the key to solving the problem of information overload. The museum houses thousands of artifacts from 54 ethnic groups. Remembering and recounting everything is impossible. But thanks to smart tourism applications, visitors can independently find basic information. This elevates the role of tour guides.

"I'm no longer just an information 'reader,' but a cultural storyteller. We're leveraging social media platforms to showcase artifacts, even livestreaming traditional folk art performances to attract visitors from afar. Digitalization helps us reach potential customers even before they set foot in Thai Nguyen ," shared Ms. Sam Thi Nhan.

Discussing future directions, Mr. Nguyen Chu Thu, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, emphasized: "We believe that digital transformation in tourism is not just about purchasing equipment, but about changing the mindset of those working in the profession. In 2026 and the following years, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will continue to promote training so that every tour guide and every person involved in community tourism becomes a digital ambassador. We will provide methods and ways to apply digital transformation to guiding and engaging with tourists."

In the age of artificial intelligence, historical stories told with passion and supported by technology will gain new vitality, contributing to the strong dissemination of the image of Thai Nguyen's land and people.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-hoa/du-lich-thai-nguyen/202603/huong-dan-vien-du-lich-thoi-40-01c001c/