When technology is integrated into the exhibition.

Visitors can explore the application of digital technologies combined with the exhibitions at the Hanoi museum. Photo: Hoang Quyen

After a long period of preparation, the Hanoi museum has inaugurated a system of permanent exhibitions based on a new approach, in which technology plays a role in connecting heritage to the public.

The museum spaces are no longer limited to static exhibitions, but have become places of experience, interaction, and discovery. This practice shows that integrating technology not only revitalizes museums but also increases their ability to disseminate heritage, gradually integrating cultural values into contemporary life.

Technology expands the “living horizons” of heritage.

After years of content development and object collection, the opening of the permanent exhibition system on February 3, 2026, marks a significant turning point for the Hanoi museum.

According to Mr. Dang Minh Ve, deputy director of the Hanoi museum, the change lies not only in the form but also in the new exhibition concept, where technology has become an important tool for telling the story of heritage.

The museum space harmoniously combines heritage with modern technologies. Photo: Hoang Quyen.

Mr. Dang Minh Ve stated that, unlike sterile showcases, the current museum space harmoniously combines heritage with modern technologies, offering a multisensory experience. The first point of contact with the public is a high-definition digital printing system. Images are projected onto durable wood-plastic composite material, combined with a colorful adhesive film, creating a sharp and vibrant visual rendering, with great durability.

Furthermore, projection technology has been deployed on a large scale, with 98 videos broadcast in exhibition spaces. Large screens placed in strategic locations not only inform but also evoke emotions, naturally guiding visitors through the heart of each historical narrative.

The system is notably distinguished by its 24 interactive screens, organized by theme and sub-theme. This illustrates a radical change in how the public interacts with the content. Freed from static information, users can now actively search, select, and explore content through direct interaction.

In the Bat Trang pottery village, technology has enriched the immersive experience. In addition to observing objects, visitors can discover the history of the village, linked to the 1010 edict on the capital transfer, and explore in detail the pottery-making process through six precisely digitized steps. Valuable documents from national and international sources are also integrated, creating a true “open knowledge reference” within the museum.

It is evident that technology contributes to expanding the living horizons of heritage, transcending the boundaries of space and time. Visitors not only admire objects but also understand the underlying history, from the past to the present.

One important point to highlight is that 100% of the objects exhibited in the museum are authentic. Mr. Dang Minh Ve emphasized that only authentic objects can evoke genuine emotions. However, presented in a static manner, these objects struggle to express their full value. This is why technology is used as a complementary tool, allowing objects to “speak” more clearly.

This approach is clearly manifested through the combination of traditional objects and contemporary elements. In addition to 19th-century ceramics from Bat Trang, the museum also presents modern ceramic works, allowing the public to appreciate the continuity and transformation of this artisanal village in contemporary life.

The technological system also allows for the customization of the visitor experience. Each person can choose the formula that suits them, from a quick visit to an in-depth exploration. Additionally, the digital content is regularly updated, allowing the museum to remain current and relevant.

Mr. Dang Minh Ve stated that to create an effective exhibition space, three elements must converge: content, solutions, and technology. Content is essential, technology is the means, creating an intersection that not only preserves heritage but also truly brings it to life in the public’s heart.

From digitization to heritage ecosystems: a synchronized approach is necessary.

The international parade of national costumes “Tracing Heritage”, accompanied by a 3D map projection, was presented at the Center for Heritage of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel. Photo: Ngoc Tu.

Addressing this issue, Ms. Pham Lan Anh, Director of the Heritage Management Department (Department of Culture and Sports of Hanoi), stated that through concrete implementation and professional forums, fundamental solutions have gradually been clearly identified. According to her, for heritage digitization to be truly effective, it is necessary to simultaneously implement closely linked elements, prioritizing the creation of databases, investing in technologies, developing highly skilled human resources, and improving coordination mechanisms.

Ms. Pham Lan Anh analyzed that it is essential to establish a heritage database system in line with common standards, ensuring interoperability between units and allowing for long-term exploitation. It is not just a storage space but also a platform that allows digitized products to develop, connect, and expand.

Furthermore, there is a need to invest heavily in technological infrastructure, linked to the development of highly qualified human resources. The team responsible for heritage preservation in this new phase must possess both in-depth knowledge of cultural values and a mastery of technologies. According to Ms. Lan Anh, if either of these elements is lacking, digital products will struggle to gain depth and appeal to the public.

Another important aspect is the coordination mechanism. Ms. Pham Lan Anh emphasized that heritage digitization cannot be the work of a single entity but requires the participation of many actors, from management organizations and local authorities to businesses and the creative community. Without an effective coordination mechanism, good practices will be difficult to replicate, and digital products will struggle to reach their full potential.

Building on these fundamental elements, Ms. Pham Lan Anh believes that the long-term goal is not just to digitize individual heritage sites but to gradually build a digital ecosystem where heritage becomes the primary material for creativity and technology serves as a means to develop new cultural products. Most importantly, digitization should not be limited to preservation but truly become a resource for development.

“We are transitioning from a logic of preservation to a logic of exploitation, from conservation to dissemination and the creation of new value,” highlighted Ms. Lan Anh, adding that a crucial step will be taken when digital heritage becomes a natural component of the capital’s cultural and social life. At that point, heritage will no longer be present only in museums but also in education, tourism, and cultural industries.

On this subject, Mr. Nguyen The Son, curator and lecturer at the School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Arts (National University of Vietnam, Hanoi), believes that in the next 5 to 10 years, the digital heritage ecosystem in Hanoi will have numerous opportunities for breakthroughs, especially thanks to the rapid development of technology-trained human resources.

According to Mr. Nguyen The Son, many educational institutions, especially art schools, have now integrated technology into their programs. This allows for the training of a workforce capable of applying technology immediately upon graduation, contributing to the digitization of heritage sectors and cultural industries.

Mr. Nguyen The Son also recognized that the future emergence of new cultural spaces and creative activities will contribute to creating a favorable environment for the development of this ecosystem. Programs such as the Hanoi Creative Design Festival or the opening of new museums and heritage sites will increase opportunities for digital products while strengthening the connections between heritage, technology, and the market.

Based on the situation at the Hanoi museum and expert opinions, it appears that heritage digitization and the application of technology to exhibitions are no longer isolated trends but have become a development strategy.

When data, technology, human resources, and mechanisms are deployed in a coordinated manner, heritage will not only be preserved but also “revived,” becoming an endogenous resource for socio-economic development.

Source: hanoimoi.vn