Digitalization to keep heritage 'alive' in the new era.

To realize its goal of becoming the leading digital cultural center in the country and Southeast Asia, Da Nang City is accelerating the construction of a large-scale digital data warehouse and simultaneously deploying a series of technological applications to connect heritage with the community in a completely new way.

HISTORICAL OPPORTUNITY

In the final days of 2025, at the My Son Sanctuary, experts and staff of the My Son World Heritage Management Board (hereinafter referred to as the Management Board) were still diligently working with scanning equipment, recording the final data slices of the Cham tower groups and hundreds of representative artifacts. The Management Board stated that the project to digitize the entire system of temples and approximately 200 artifacts in 3D is entering its final stages. Detailed data collection for the 3D scanning has been completed. The entire workload is expected to be finished by the end of this year.

Mr. Nguyen Cong Khiet, Deputy Director in charge of the Management Board, said that the Board is currently developing a comprehensive database, in which 3D scanned data will be a component of the technical documentation for restoration. "In the future, 3D models will be used directly in the planning of restoration projects, simulating intervention plans, and detailed reconstruction in case of damage caused by natural disasters. The 3D data of more than 60 ruins and over 2,200 artifacts is very large. The Management Board is also focusing on building a layered storage system, combining internal servers, a periodic backup system, and a dedicated cloud storage solution. All data is encrypted, access is controlled, and management is carried out according to the information security standards of the cultural sector," Mr. Khiet said.

This is a 3D scanned image of Tower E7, part of the E tower group in the My Son temple complex.

PHOTO: HOANG SON

PHOTO: HOANG SON

3D data is an important reference source for monitoring the structural deformation of the tower groups at My Son.

PHOTO: HOANG SON

In addition, the Management Board is collaborating with experts to standardize digital data management processes, ensuring long-term preservation, preventing loss, and facilitating recovery in case of incidents. Besides preservation, My Son is aiming to promote the heritage value through digital transformation applications. The Management Board has developed plans for products such as 360-degree virtual tours, interactive 3D models, AR/VR experiences, and a multilingual audio guide system.

The Da Nang Department of Science and Technology assesses that, after the merger with Quang Nam province, the (new) Da Nang city has enormous potential for developing the digital culture sector. The city boasts four World Heritage sites: the ancient town of Hoi An, the My Son temple complex, the rock carvings at the Marble Mountains, the traditional Bài Chòi folk singing art, and the Cu Lao Cham World Biosphere Reserve, along with hundreds of provincial, national, and special national historical and cultural relics, and hundreds of traditional craft villages and unique festivals. "This is a historic opportunity to develop Da Nang into a leading digital culture center of the country and Southeast Asia, using digital technology as a bridge connecting the past, present, and future," the Department of Science and Technology stated.

The artifacts have been digitized down to the smallest detail.

PHOTO: HOANG SON

PHOTO: HOANG SON

PHOTO: HOANG SON

BECOME A PIONEERING ROLE MODEL EARLY

According to the Da Nang Department of Science and Technology, in recent times, the cultural sector has begun to implement information technology and digital technology in management, promotion, and especially in providing services to tourists. Typical examples include the 3D Cham museum and relic system with 50 artifacts digitized in 3D, allowing tourists to visit and learn about the artifacts in the most specific and detailed way; the Da Nang Museum applying AI in guiding tourists through tours and experiences in 20 languages; and an automated audio guide system using QR code scanning technology, introducing artifacts in three languages: Vietnamese, English, and French.

However, the digitization of heritage data has not been implemented synchronously and comprehensively; virtual reality (VR/AR) experiences at cultural sites are not yet widespread, and the potential of big data for analyzing the cultural enjoyment needs of locals and tourists has not been fully exploited. This is why Da Nang City needs a comprehensive and synchronized strategy in applying digital technology to maximize the cultural values ​​in the area, aiming to develop the cultural industry and creative economy, with digital culture becoming one of the new drivers of economic growth.

3D models are used to reconstruct artifacts in detail if they are unfortunately damaged.

PHOTO: HOANG SON

The Da Nang Department of Science and Technology has proposed several solutions for applying digital technology to promote cultural values, which have been included in the draft plan for digital transformation and smart city development in Da Nang for the period 2026-2030, with a vision to 2035. Da Nang will build a digital identification platform for all artifacts, relics, and cultural spaces, along with an interactive digital cultural map with tagging, rating, and commenting capabilities. All tangible and intangible heritage will be digitized with high quality, multilingual support, and integrated with a personalized itinerary suggestion system based on user preferences. Simultaneously, the city will develop a smart museum model, promoting the application of AI, big data, and VR/AR to expand the visitor experience; and build a 3D/AR/VR digital library for heritage sites such as My Son, Hoi An, Ngu Hanh Son, and Nam O… Simultaneously, they will livestream major festivals in 360° on a common platform, release heritage NFTs, and integrate AI robots and multilingual auto-narration technology into museum systems.

"Applying digital technology will soon make Da Nang a pioneering model for the whole country in preserving and promoting heritage values ​​in the 4.0 era. We will not only preserve the past for future generations but also transform heritage into assets, contributing to the overall development of the city in a harmonious, modern, sustainable, and livable direction," said Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hong, Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Da Nang City.

PHOTO: HOANG SON

PHOTO: HOANG SON

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/so-hoa-de-di-san-song-trong-ky-nguyen-moi-185251215225112724.htm