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| “Đế đô Khảo cổ ký” (Imperial Archaeology Chronicle) project draws inspiration from the renowned quartet of treasures: Đại Hồng Chung (Great Bronze Bell), Khẩu Hạ (Gate Cannon), Cao Đỉnh (Supreme Cauldron), and the Nguyễn Dynasty's throne. |
Innovation rooted in history
“Đế đô Khảo cổ ký” (Imperial Archaeology Chronicle) project, recently launched in Hue, is more than just an entertainment product but a pioneering milestone in preserving and leveraging heritage values through technology. Inspired by the renowned quartet of treasures from the ancient capital of Hue - Đại Hồng Chung (Great Bronze Bell), Khẩu Hạ (Gate Cannon), Cao Đỉnh (Supreme Cauldron), and the Nguyễn Dynasty's throne, the project utilizes Nomion digital identification technology, NFC (near-field communication) chips, and a "blind box" art toy model to create an interactive experience.
Each product in the collection contains a historical story, allowing users to explore the past through the application of technology. By simply tapping a smartphone on the product, a wealth of fascinating information about the artifact, its origins, and its cultural significance will vividly come to life.
Mr. Hoang Viet Trung, Director of the Hue Monuments Conservation Center, emphasized that the project is not just an innovation in the service business but also carries an educational mission. "Each product is a small journey, allowing the younger generation to easily access history and cherish the cultural values of the nation," he said.
In a bid to digitize heritage, Hue continues to demonstrate its pioneering spirit by officially digitally identifying ten iconic artifacts from the Nguyễn Dynasty. These artifacts are equipped with NFC chips, creating a unique link between physical and digital versions.
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| Nguyễn Dynasty artifacts at Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities are equipped with NFC chips |
Through a meta-verse exhibition space on the website museehue.vn, visitors can experience artifacts such as the throne, royal palanquins, and imperial utensils via sharp and detailed 360-degree imagery. Beyond this, the Hue Monuments Conservation Center aims to expand its digital museum, allowing global visitors to explore Hue’s history anytime, anywhere.
From a practical perspective, this model is not only highly evaluated in Vietnam but also bears many similarities with Japan's approach to preserving ancient structures in Kyoto. Through augmented reality (AR) technology, Kyoto has recreated the ancient capital's space, enabling visitors to easily visualize the life of the Japanese nobility during the Edo period.
Technology creates new value from heritage
Visitors to Hue will be amazed at the numerous improvements in how they explore heritage. From the convenient electronic ticketing system and guided map application to automatic narration services in 12 languages, everything has been fine-tuned to provide experience the most easily.
A highlight not to be missed is the XR (Extended Reality) experience service in the Imperial City, called "Searching for the Lost Imperial Palace." Here, visitors can explore the ancient Imperial Palace through a VR (virtual reality) model, from a time-traveling spacecraft to modern telescopes, recreating the grandeur of the monuments that have faded over time.
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| Visitors can experience a "visit" to the Hue Imperial Palace via VR spaceship |
Mr. Le Hoang Hai, a visitor from Can Tho, shared, “My family really enjoys the journey of recreating history through technological applications. It feels like returning to the golden age of the Imperial Palace while remaining close and modern.”
Not only are these applications limited to the aspect of experience, but they also contribute to optimizing conservation. At the Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities, in addition to directly admiring the artifacts, visitors can use their phones to interact with digitized artifacts, uncovering 3D images and detailed information.
Experts judge that the technological application in heritage conservation not only enhances cultural value but also opens up opportunities for digital economy development. Similar to how the Pompidou Center in Paris (France) uses AR and VR technology to create interactive exhibitions, the Hue Monuments Conservation Center is aiming to fully harness the potential of Vietnamese heritage, catering to both domestic and international audiences.
According to Mr. Hoang Viet Trung, Hue will continue to invest in other digitization projects, such as implementing GIS maps, augmented reality (AR) models, mixed reality (MR), and detailed 3D applications. “Digital exhibition spaces, artifact identification, and smart interaction systems will serve as bridges to promote Vietnamese culture worldwide,” Mr. Trung affirmed.
The innovations in Hue are a testament to the power of technology in heritage conservation and development. When history is narrated through modern languages, not only local people but also the entire world get access to Vietnam's valuable cultural treasures.
On its journey of integrating the ancient Imperial Palace into modern life, Hue has proven that heritage is not merely for preservation but can also serve as an endless source of inspiration for contemporary creativity.