When technology narrates the cultural heritage of Hanoi

minhtu98 · 01/11/2023

Many historical and cultural relics - the sleeping gems in the Capital of a Thousand Years of Civilization are gradually being "awakened" thanks to the power of technology and light.

View attachment 748 The story of culture and history is narrated through light technology at the Temple of Literature - Quốc Tử Giám. Photo: Thúy Nga

Exciting nighttime tour at the Temple of Literature - Quốc Tử Giám

Recently, the nighttime experience program at the Temple of Literature – Quốc Tử Giám was officially launched for tourists and people in the Capital. Through the light of technology, the heritage space has become more impressive, more sparkling than usual, while still retaining the profound and sophisticated features of a heritage site that is considered the first national school of Vietnam.
The program is a journey through the Entrance area, the Achievements area, the Doctoral Pavilion area, the Great Success area, and the final emotional touchpoint of the nighttime experience program at the Temple of Literature - Quốc Tử Giám - the Thái học area. Here, images of the four relief panels “Four Sacred Creatures Teaching” and a mother singing a lullaby to her child are displayed using 3D mapping technology right at the roots of the heritage banyan tree, and the patterned images on the Doctor's stone tablets are recreated right on the pavement.
View attachment 749 The Temple of Literature - Quốc Tử Giám - the first university of our country appears both familiar and strange. Photo: Thúy Nga

Through the Đại Trung gate, a beam of light from the Sao Khuê window on the symbolic structure Khuê Văn Các shines directly onto the roof peak of the Đại Trung gate, highlighting the image of two carp worshipping the bình móc. This beam of light also transforms Khuê Văn Các into a true lighthouse.
At the Achievements area, visitors will encounter a combination of images representing the four stages of perseverance and success of Confucian scholars. In the Great Success area, the main content introduced here is the display space of Quốc Tử Giám – the first school of Vietnam’s national education.

View attachment 750 Images of the four relief panels “Four Sacred Creatures Teaching” are projected right under the banyan trees. Photo: Thúy Nga

The entire history of the formation and development of the cradle of talent cultivation for the country over nearly 800 years under the feudal period is presented with a contemporary design style, while still deeply imprinting the values that have forged thousands of prominent figures for the Vietnamese land.
The final emotional touchpoint, which also provides the most uplifting feeling, is the 3D mapping projection themed “Essence of Confucianism”. The entire façade of the Tiền đường house on the Thái học yard will turn into a giant screen, allowing visitors to explore the most exquisite values in the Confucian education of the Vietnamese.
View attachment 751 Images rich in tradition are presented using modern technology. Photo: Thúy Nga

Speaking about bringing technology to narrate the cultural stories of Hanoi, Mr. Lê Xuân Kiêu - Director of the Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám Cultural and Scientific Activities Center stated that, as Hanoi city is promoting the development of the cultural industry, joining the network of Creative Cities and digital transformation, the Center has explored ways to deliver tourism products that elevate the value of the Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám monument.
“For the first time at Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám during the night, there is a dialogue between the values of the monument, the values of Vietnamese Confucianism, and technology; a dialogue between tradition and modernity that promises to create an interesting tourism product,” emphasized Mr. Lê Xuân Kiêu.

Digital transformation revitalizing cultural and heritage projects

According to Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyễn Huy Dũng, digital transformation and digital technology open up a new space for tourism development. The Temple of Literature – Quốc Tử Giám, which used to primarily welcome visitors during the day, will now gradually increase the number of visitors at night.
View attachment 752 The nighttime experience program at the Temple of Literature – Quốc Tử Giám has opened new ways to develop tourism in Hanoi. Photo: Thúy Nga

Tourists will have new experiences, interesting and attractive multi-dimensional images and information. Tourism practitioners will have new and more creative tools to convey images and information, thus transmitting cultural, historical, and traditional values more effectively.
“We hope that the combination of cultural and historical elements with technology has, is, and will become a new convergence point, making tourism more accessible and closely linked to historical and cultural elements,” Mr. Dũng added.
This is the fourth nighttime tour that Hanoi has launched, following a series of experience programs at the Hỏa Lò Prison Relic, the Thăng Long Imperial Citadel, and the Vietnam Literature Museum.

Watch video: What’s "hot" about the nighttime tour at the Temple of Literature - Quốc Tử Giám? | VTV24