Digitizing heritage

A 3D mapping program with the theme

A 3D mapping program with the theme "The Quintessence of Learning" at the Temple of Literature - National University. (Photo: Organizing Committee)

On November 28, 2025, the Government issued Decree No. 308/2025/ND-CP detailing some provisions and organizational measures to guide the implementation of the Law on Cultural Heritage (Decree 308). A prominent new feature of Decree 308 is the promotion of the digitalization of heritage, adapting to the requirements of the national digital transformation, contributing to the preservation and promotion of heritage values in the new era.

Identifying the "bottlenecks"

Cultural heritage, preserved through generations, is considered a "spiritual treasure," a vital resource contributing to socio-economic development. Despite commendable efforts, the digitization of cultural heritage in Vietnam still faces numerous challenges, hindering the effective preservation and promotion of its value.

On October 8, 2022, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 2026/QD-TTg approving the Program for Digitizing Vietnamese Cultural Heritage for the period 2021-2030, aiming to digitize 100% of tangible and intangible cultural heritage, museums, and documentary heritage. However, to date, implementation progress in some units remains slow due to numerous obstacles related to infrastructure, management, statistics, and archiving, which still primarily rely on traditional paper documents, as well as human resources and funding.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Hien, a heritage expert (Vietnam National University, Hanoi), pointed out that: Each locality has thousands of heritage sites, and digitizing a single heritage site requires a great deal of effort, money, and time. Meanwhile, the funding for digitization projects in provinces is limited, and a project can last for decades, leading to fragmented heritage data that is difficult to search and share. Many valuable documents are at risk of degradation and loss due to physical aging or natural disasters. On the other hand, the lack of a mechanism for managing digital data copyright has led to illegal copying, reducing the commercial value of heritage.

Each locality possesses thousands of heritage sites, and digitizing a single site requires significant effort, funding, and time. However, provincial funding for digitization projects is limited, and projects can span decades, leading to fragmented heritage data that is difficult to access and share. Many valuable documents are at risk of degradation and loss due to physical aging or natural disasters. Furthermore, the lack of a mechanism for managing digital data copyright has resulted in illegal copying, diminishing the commercial value of heritage.
Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Hien, Heritage Studies expert (Vietnam National University, Hanoi)

Furthermore, limited human resources, both in quantity and adaptability to new technologies, are also a major obstacle. Vietnam does not yet have a dedicated training program for "digital heritage," and the workforce mainly consists of heritage research experts or traditional managers, lacking technological skills.

Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Trong Duong (Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences) analyzed: “Our current implementation of heritage digitization is still only a combination of personnel from two fields: research and technology. Meanwhile, around the world, there are now many training programs in digital heritage that are rapidly expanding. They train people to be 2-in-1, understanding both culture and technology. Only through such systematic training will we have a team of personnel, digital humanities experts, to serve the work of heritage digitization in the future.”

In recent times, the Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam National Special Monument has been recognized as a shining example of heritage digitization. Sharing the lessons learned from her unit, Ms. Nguyen Lien Huong, Deputy Director of the Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam Cultural and Scientific Activities Center, said: “We realize that applying information technology and digital transformation is a golden opportunity to fulfill the task of managing, preserving, and promoting the value of the monument.”

Specifically, the Temple of Literature - National University is promoting the application of technology and digital transformation, such as: digitizing documents, artifacts, and the visitor system; building a 3D digital database combined with cultural and historical research; digitizing ancient patterns on artifacts and architectural elements to design distinctive souvenir products, meeting the diverse needs of tourists, especially international visitors and young people...

However, Ms. Nguyen Lien Huong also pointed out major obstacles to the unit's digital transformation efforts, in addition to the lack of synchronized infrastructure and the reluctance and fear of change among some officials and employees.

Sharing the same viewpoint, Professor, Doctor Tu Thi Loan, former Acting Director of the Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts, emphasized that digital transformation in culture is not simply about "digitizing" or "putting things online," but rather about transforming the mindset of preserving, receiving, organizing, and developing new forms of communication and expression in the digital space.

Opening the "digital door" to Vietnam's heritage.

Decree 308 is expected to remove bottlenecks and open the "digital door" for Vietnamese heritage to promote its value in the new context. According to the Decree, the content of digital transformation in cultural heritage includes: building, managing, maintaining, operating, and exploiting digital platforms and information systems for managing the national database on cultural heritage; developing digital data standards; and creating digital data to serve the communication and promotion of cultural heritage in the electronic environment.

The National Museum of History has launched a 3D interactive virtual exhibition. (Screenshot)

Decree 308 requires that the digitization, storage, exploitation, and use of cultural heritage data be carried out uniformly from the central to local levels, in a manner that respects and cooperates with relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals; prioritizing the use of open-source technology and domestic software.

A key new development is the radical shift in mindset and operational methods, whereby heritage preservation is mandated to be digitized, from records and documents to the application of digital technology in conservation and assessment, aiming to provide the community with equal opportunities to access heritage.

The Decree also specifies the requirements for the management and operation of national digital data on cultural heritage (Article 88), creating a legal framework for the synchronized digitization of heritage and contributing to the thorough resolution of security risks, while ensuring the integrity and rights of heritage owners or managers.

Experts assess that Decree 308 is a strategic step forward, helping Vietnamese heritage move from passive preservation to active promotion through digitalization. Associate Professor, Dr. Le Thi Thu Hien, Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) affirmed: "Digital transformation contributes to improving the effectiveness of state management, protecting and promoting the value of cultural heritage, and promoting sustainable development."

To maximize the effectiveness of heritage digitization, Dr. Ban Tuan Nang (Ho Chi Minh National Political Academy) analyzed: Digitizing cultural heritage is not a short-term task. It requires a long-term strategy and interdisciplinary coordination. To achieve the goal, a fundamental strategy is needed, and several issues must be addressed in the short term.

First and foremost, a national database on Vietnamese cultural heritage needs to be established. This must be a unified platform with common technical standards and interoperability across ministries, sectors, and localities. Each cultural heritage site needs a "digital identifier." A long-term plan is needed for training a digital workforce in the cultural sector. Cultural and art schools and museums should open new specialized programs in conservation technology, digitalization, and cultural data management.

Furthermore, it is necessary to encourage technology companies to participate as strategic partners. Mechanisms should be established to encourage social participation and public-private partnerships. In this field, the State plays a guiding role, setting standards, while businesses can handle the technology, platforms, and communication aspects. Many countries have demonstrated that when the private sector participates, the digitalization process is faster and more sustainable.

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Source: https://nhandan.vn/so-hoa-di-san-post928518.html