Experience history through technology

For the first time, with just a pair of virtual reality (VR) glasses, people can live in the atmosphere of an autumn morning in 1945 at the historic Ba Dinh Square, listening to President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

Realistic, vivid

Queuing for quite a long time at the Vietnam-Soviet Friendship Cultural Palace (91 Tran Hung Dao, Hanoi ) from the morning of August 20 to check-in, before moving to the National Broadcasting Center (58 Quan Su, Hanoi) to experience the project "Returning to the sacred moment", Ms. Le Thu Thuy (Hoan Kiem ward, Hanoi) was moved when she heard Uncle Ho's voice clearly, saw the red flag with yellow star fluttering and the sea of people shouting: "I swear!". "Wearing VR glasses, I feel like I am immersed in history, an experience that books or movies have never brought" - Ms. Thuy said.

Many other people were also surprised to feel close to the historical figure in 3D space. "Every detail is so realistic that it makes me feel like I am directly witnessing and reliving that sacred moment" - Mr. Huu Hung (Kim Lien ward, Hanoi) commented.

The project "Returning to the sacred moment" is hosted by the Voice of Vietnam , implemented by VTC News e-newspaper in collaboration with the Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology (PTIT). The historical space is meticulously restored using 3D graphics technology, combining VR and artificial intelligence (AI). The highlight of the project is AI Human in Holobox - a "virtual editor" who can directly introduce details about the event, answer questions on the spot, thereby increasing interaction with the experiencer.

At the exhibition "Keeping the Oath of Independence" taking place at the Vietnam Military History Museum (Hanoi), for the first time, viewers can step into the historical scene through an interactive device screen. Augmented reality (AR) technology combined with AI has turned static photos into a vivid interactive space. Visitors only need to use a smart device, look up at the documentary photos in the exhibition area and vivid short videos will immediately appear.

Three typical scenes recreated with AR technology here include the scene of the Quyet Chien, Quyet Thang flag flying on the roof of General De Castries' command bunker on the afternoon of May 7, 1954, marking the historic victory of Dien Bien Phu; the moment President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence at Ba Dinh Square on September 2, 1945; and the image of the Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army led by General Vo Nguyen Giap at its founding ceremony on December 22, 1944.

Meanwhile, at the 48 Hang Ngang relic (Hanoi), where President Ho Chi Minh wrote the Declaration of Independence, mapping and hologram technology were applied to recreate the historical space in depth. In particular, in the room on the second floor of the house, the image of Uncle Ho sitting at a typewriter, drafting the words of the Declaration of Independence was recreated.

Trải nghiệm lịch sử bằng công nghệ- Ảnh 1. — Young people are eager to experience the virtual reality project "Returning to sacred moments" Photo: MINH PHUONG

Trends in many fields

Colonel Le Vu Huy, Director of the Vietnam Military History Museum, emphasized that creating a bridge between the past and the present through the application of modern technology will make history no longer strange, when told in the language of the times. "The combination of technology and the core values of the past does not lose its depth, but on the contrary, creates a "time door" for the younger generation to enter, sympathize and be proud of the unforgettable years of the nation" - Colonel Huy commented.

Professor Le Van Lan, a historian, agrees with the view that modern technology helps young people have the opportunity to approach history in a visual and vivid way. This not only helps young people easily absorb profound lessons from history but also arouses national pride and positive emotions.

Mr. Tran Duy Hao - founder and CEO of Star Global Expert Solutions Joint Stock Company (StarGlobal 3D) - believes that applying VR technology to recreate historical events is a new and meaningful way. "Instead of just listening or reading history through books, people, especially young people, can access it in a visual and emotional way, thereby spreading traditional values faster and more widely," said Mr. Hao.

According to Mr. Hao, the benefits of VR technology do not stop at preserving history but also open up great opportunities in many fields. For example, with tourism, VR360 digital maps help visitors freely explore destinations before setting foot there. With business operations, the application of technology can help customers visit production lines without having to physically move. And with the museum field, VR360 technology supports users anywhere to experience history as if standing in real space...

Ms. Dang Thi Minh Hang, a virtual reality artist, believes that bringing history to digital space, helping people "travel" to the past, is an inevitable trend, opening up new creative spaces. "However, the VR experience needs to be scientifically designed because not everyone is comfortable wearing glasses for a long time, each experience should only last a maximum of 30 minutes" - Ms. Hang suggested.

Need to do it properly

Mr. Tran Duy Hao believes that in order to exploit and effectively combine technology and history, implementing units need to have a long-term vision and avoid fragmented implementation. First of all, choosing a platform is a decisive factor, in which the platform must be able to inherit and expand when new needs arise during operation.

According to market research company Mordor Intelligence, the VR market size is estimated to reach 67.66 billion USD in 2024, increasing sharply to 204.35 billion USD in 2029, with an average growth rate of 24.74%/year.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/trai-nghiem-lich-su-bang-cong-nghe-196250826213905908.htm