Vietnam's Tourism Sector Gets a Digital Upgrade with XR, AR, and AI

Strategic Insights -

As Vietnam continues to upgrade its tourism sector, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and extended reality (XR) technologies are becoming increasingly prominent. These technologies are transforming ancient history into immersive digital experiences. For instance, the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre's 'Finding the lost imperial palace' project uses Nreal Air AR glasses to transport visitors to the Nguyen Dynasty, allowing them to witness court rituals and performances at their original sites. The project not only brings lost architecture back to life but also sparks emotional connections to history, providing a rich cultural experience.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Hue Monuments Conservation Centre's 'Finding the lost imperial palace' project uses AR glasses to recreate the Nguyen Dynasty, allowing visitors to experience court rituals and performances at their original sites.
  • Telecom provider MobiFone has partnered with the Quang Tri provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism to digitize museums, Chut ethnic cultural space, and the UNESCO-listed Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park using 360-degree photos, 3D models, VR videos, and digital narration.
  • Effective VR needs to engage multiple senses and convey cultural depth, as emphasized by Dang Hong Nguyen Khang, a graduate at the US's New Jersey Institute of Technology.
  • CEO of AZA Travel Nguyen Tien Dat stated that AI streamlines tour design, personalizing travel experiences with unprecedented efficiency.
  • VR cannot fully replace on-the-ground experiences, but rather acts as a teaser, priming travelers for in-person adventures, according to experts.
  • The Vietnamese Government has a master plan for tourism development through 2030, alongside plans to foster smart tourism nationwide.
  • According to Master Tran Tuyen from the Centre for Sustainable Tourism Research and Development (CST), user-friendly VR designs could also win over older crowds.
  • The Centre for Sustainable Tourism Research and Development (CST) Director Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Thi Van Hanh believes it is turning guides into 'living storytellers', adding soul to virtual experiences with human insight.

Statistics:

  • The Hue Monuments Conservation Centre's 'Finding the lost imperial palace' project is using AR glasses to recreate the Nguyen Dynasty.
  • The project has been developed in partnership with the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre and the Nreal technology company.
  • MobiFone has partnered with the Quang Tri provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism to digitize museums, Chut ethnic cultural space, and the UNESCO-listed Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.
  • 360-degree photos, 3D models, VR videos, and digital narration are being used to create immersive digital experiences.
  • According to Master Tran Tuyen from the Centre for Sustainable Tourism Research and Development (CST), younger travellers are tech-savvy, but user-friendly VR designs could also win over older crowds.
  • The Vietnamese Government has a master plan for tourism development through 2030.
  • The Centre for Sustainable Tourism Research and Development (CST) estimates that 2025 will be AR's breakout year, akin to the ubiquity of QR codes.

Sources:

  • "Vietnam's tourism sector gets a wild upgrade with virtual reality, augmented reality and extended reality" - Vietnam News Agency (no date)
  • "Hue, Ha Noi promoted at France's Paris Tourism Festival" - Vietnam News Agency (no date)
  • Interview with Phan Thanh Hoai, Director of MobiFone Quang Binh
  • Interview with Nguyen Tien Dat, CEO of AZA Travel
  • Interview with Master Tran Tuyen from the Centre for Sustainable Tourism Research and Development (CST) at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities under the Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City
  • Interview with Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Thi Van Hanh, Director of the Centre for Sustainable Tourism Research and Development (CST)