Utilising digital technology to leverage cultural heritage strengths

The conference, themed "The Role and Contribution of the UNESCO Movement to Cultural Industries", was held on August 5 in Halong (Quang Ninh).

The conference connected the economic and cultural sectors, providing an opportunity for leaders, experts, businesses, and individuals from Vietnam and around the world to propose solutions on how to build a corporate culture and develop the cultural industry in Vietnam.

The event was attended by 40 representatives from member countries of the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres and Associations, along with hundreds of delegates from cultural, educational, and scientific organisations in Vietnam.

At the event, Huy Nguyen, CEO of Phygital Labs, a company specialising in transitioning physical items into the digital world, presented a paper on "Applying Technology to Exploit Heritage Copyright and Promote Cultural Industries". He introduced the Nomion digital identity solution, a new model for heritage economic development. This solution revolves around using NFC chip, blockchain, AR, and VR technologies to connect physical heritage with digital technology, ensuring the correct management, protection, and exploitation of heritage copyrights.

"The government and cultural organisations, along with non-governmental UNESCO movements, will have open and close cooperation with cultural heritage management units and technology companies, thereby shaping the future of cultural industries in Vietnam,” Nguyen said.

In the same vein, Dr Le Cao Thang from the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour proposed solutions to develop a digital culture. "First, we must raise awareness among officials at all levels and the public about building and developing digital culture, recognising that developing digital culture is an inevitable path in the process of building a new culture, with the people as the main and decisive force," he said.

According to Thang, the next step is to improve the institutional framework to create a legal corridor for transforming culture from traditional to digital environments. He also emphasised the need to enhance technology application, digitise traditional cultural heritages, and build cultural databases.

"Building a workforce to serve digital culture is key to successfully transforming from traditional to digital culture. Additionally, enhancing the application of Industry 4.0 technologies, intensifying international cooperation, and strengthening management are the driving forces for the digital transformation process," Thang added.

At the event, Phygital Labs was honoured with the title "Pioneer Startup in the Journey of Promoting Cultural Heritage Values 2024" by the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres, and Associations.

The company has laid the groundwork for using digital physical technology to enhance and preserve Vietnamese cultural values through projects such as the digital identification of Nghe Van Mieu statues to create the first digital physical book, digitising ten artefacts Hue Royal Antiquities Museum, and launching a metaverse cultural exhibition space integrated with Apple Vision Pro.

The conference concluded with a declaration on "Creative Economy - Connecting Culture for Peace and Sustainable Development". This declaration commits to promoting fair and sustainable economic models, improving the quality of life for all community members, supporting environmentally and socially friendly economic policies, and preserving cultural heritage.

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