Opening up new cultural spaces through technology.

The city is prioritizing a systematic and holistic approach to studying culture and people, as well as connecting them within a unified, structured whole, based on the application of science and technology to standardize, digitize, and integrate data, creating a shared platform for management, preservation, and development.

My Son applies technology to make it easier for tourists to access knowledge about the My Son temples and towers. Photo: Phi Thanh

Along with the Government-approved "Digital Transformation in the Cultural Sector by 2030, Vision to 2045" project, Da Nang has issued the "Program for Research and Application of Science and Technology on the Development of Culture and People in Da Nang City, 2026-2035". These are the conditions that contribute to the formation of a scientific database for researching policies on cultural and human development, and simultaneously forming a digital cultural ecosystem for Da Nang.

Applying digital technology to heritage

In recent years, cultural institutions in Da Nang have been stepping up their efforts towards "digitalization." At the Da Nang Museum, the exhibition system has gradually integrated QR codes, allowing viewers to look up information about artifacts using mobile devices. Virtual tours have also been experimented with, opening up the possibility of accessing heritage without being limited by space.

At the Marble Mountains – home to a valuable system of rock carvings – the application of digital technology is gradually changing how heritage is accessed. Several sites have implemented QR codes to introduce the content of the rock carvings, provide translations, and offer historical information. This is a significant step forward, as rock carvings are a type of heritage that is difficult for the general public to access without supporting tools.

In community cultural spaces, small but noteworthy experiments are also taking place. Some folk festivals and the Bài Chòi art form – a distinctive intangible cultural heritage of Central Vietnam – have been recorded, digitized, and disseminated on online platforms. Short clips and live broadcasts have helped this heritage move beyond the confines of villages to reach younger generations.

Mr. Nguyen Cong Khiet, Director of the My Son World Cultural Heritage Management Board, said that My Son has currently digitized all its relics and architectural ruins; and selected 200 representative artifacts to be digitized using 3D technology. This technology allows for the accurate recording of the structure, materials, dimensions, and extent of damage of each structure, creating a data foundation for restoration and reconstruction when necessary.

Accordingly, 3D scanning helps to accurately preserve the current state of the relics while creating complete 3D models based on the scanned data, replacing the old, inconsistent documentation system. The collected data will be stored on a separate server system, optimized for management and sharing. The My Son World Cultural Heritage Management Board also plans to integrate the 3D models onto its website platform to enhance the digital experience for tourists, opening up a new approach to the Cham art treasure.

Technology opens up new cultural spaces.

Decision No. 298, issued by the Da Nang City People's Committee, outlines the "Program for Research and Application of Science and Technology on the Development of Culture and People in Da Nang City, giai đoạn 2026 - 2035," highlighting the current state of research and application of technology in the field of culture. Accordingly, in the context of Da Nang's efforts to build a smart city, a center for innovation and knowledge-based economic development, increasingly high demands are placed on the preservation and promotion of cultural values ​​and the development of Da Nang's people into comprehensively developed, civilized, and modern individuals.

Tourists use audio-visual commentary to learn about the My Son Sanctuary. Photo: BĐN

Despite numerous valuable studies on the culture and people of Quang Nam province, current research and application of science and technology related to culture and people remain fragmented and unsystematic. Data is not standardized or digitized in a synchronized manner, failing to fully meet the requirements for management, administration, and policy planning of the city government. Given this practical need, the development of a "Program for Research and Application of Science and Technology on the Development of Culture and People in Da Nang City, 2026-2035" is necessary to align with the development orientation and conditions of Da Nang City in this new period.

A notable aspect of Da Nang's strategy is its systemic approach, which, alongside digitalization, involves restructuring the entire cultural space on a technological platform. The program aims to build a digital database of tangible, intangible, and human heritage, integrating images, audio, video, 3D models, and maps. This will create a future "digital cultural infrastructure," a goal also pursued by artists.

Documentary filmmaker Truong Vu Quynh stated that, in the fields of photography and filmmaking, Da Nang should prioritize digitizing its landscapes using 3D scanning technology to create a virtual landscape database (Son Tra, Ngu Hanh Son, Ba Na, etc.). Simultaneously, it should build a digital landscape library, including a database of 360-degree images, videos, and GPS coordinates of potential filming locations in Da Nang, categorized by theme: modern, historical, nature, and industrial.

From a cultural industry perspective, digitizing the context presents an opportunity to create new products such as interactive documentaries, historical games, and heritage learning platforms. These products not only serve educational purposes but can also be commercialized, generating resources for reinvestment in conservation.

Furthermore, digital transformation also opens up the possibility of "exporting culture." When heritage data is standardized and digitized, it can be shared on international platforms, contributing to positioning Da Nang as a cultural and creative center.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/mo-ra-khong-gian-van-hoa-moi-tu-cong-nghe-3331811.html