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| VR immersive pod experience - “In search of the lost Imperial Palace.” Photo: Lien Minh |
Soft infrastructure
Looking at the world, nations that have succeeded in developing cultural industries are those that have skillfully combined tradition with modernity, heritage with technology. Japan with its anime industry, South Korea with the Hallyu wave, European cities like Florence and Paris - all demonstrate that when culture is “technologized,” its value is not diminished but multiplied.
In this context, Hue holds a unique advantage. Few localities in Vietnam possess a heritage system as rich, diverse, and deep as Hue does. From the Complex of Hue Monuments to Hue Royal Court Music, along with documentary heritage such as the Woodblock, the Imperial Archives of the Nguyen Dynasty, and the Poetry on Hue Royal Architecture - all together form an invaluable “living cultural data repository.”
Yet for many years, the exploitation of these values has largely remained at the level of traditional sightseeing, with limited added value. This is the major “bottleneck” in Hue’s cultural industry development.
In the context of the fourth industrial revolution, science and technology are fundamentally changing how people access and consume culture. Technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and 3D digitization not only help preserve heritage more accurately but also open up entirely new experiential spaces.
In such a world, instead of merely “visiting” the Imperial Citadel, tourists could “live” within the royal palace through virtual reality experiences. Instead of simply reading about court rituals, they could directly “witness” those ceremonies recreated through digital technology. Instead of viewing artifacts in a museum, they could interact with high-precision “digital replicas.”
This is not just a change in the form of experience. It is a fundamental transformation in the nature of “cultural consumption.” At a deeper level, science and technology also enable the building of digital heritage data systems - a vital “soft infrastructure” for cultural industry development. When all information about monuments, artifacts, festivals, traditional crafts, and cuisine is digitized and standardized, it becomes the foundation upon which creative enterprises, designers, and artists can draw to develop new products.
A strategic imperative
As Hue advances its heritage city model, applying science and technology to cultural industry development is not merely an option - it is a strategic imperative.
A comprehensive digital database of Hue’s heritage must be built. This is not just a management tool but the “raw material” for the entire creative ecosystem. From this data, smart tourism applications, cultural education platforms, and digital media products can all be developed.
Building “Digital Twins” of key heritage sites, including the Imperial Citadel, royal tombs, Nam Giao Esplanade, Xa Tac Esplanade, Ho Quyen Arena, and so on, will open entirely new possibilities for conservation and utilization, serving not only as restoration tools but as foundations for digital experiential products.
Another important direction is developing creative cultural products inspired by heritage materials. From royal architecture and traditional motifs to ao dai, cuisine, and music, all can serve as inspiration for animation, video games, fashion design, digital art, and multimedia content.
With its advantage as a “festival city,” Hue is well-positioned to become a “creative laboratory” where technology and culture converge. The use of 3D mapping, light art, and multimedia performances in festivals not only enhances their appeal but also helps forge a “new cultural brand” for Hue.
Yet this path is not without challenges. Among the greatest is human resources — particularly professionals capable of bridging culture, arts, and technology. This field demands interdisciplinary thinking, while the current education system still maintains relatively clear divisions between disciplines. Additionally, policy frameworks for cultural industry development remain a work in progress. Attracting investment, supporting creative startups, and protecting intellectual property in the digital environment are all issues that require coordinated solutions.
For a heritage city like Hue, all forms of exploitation must be grounded in the principle of conservation. Without an appropriate balance, heritage - the “core asset” - risks being damaged. This is no simple equation. It demands long-term vision and an effective governance system.
A development model for Hue can be envisioned around four pillars: Heritage - Technology - Creativity - Market, in which Heritage is the foundation; Technology is the tool; Creativity is the driving force; and Market is the space in which value is realized.
This approach aligns with the spirit of Resolution 80, which regards culture as both a goal and a driver of development. When implemented in a coordinated manner, this model will not only help Hue maximize its potential but could also serve as a blueprint for other heritage cities across Vietnam.
In this new era, as Hue aims for double-digit growth and asserts its standing as a centrally-governed municipality, the development of cultural industries is no longer a supplementary choice - it is a strategic pillar.
Story: Dr. Phan Thanh Hai