Digital Preservation of Vietnamese Cultural Heritage: Opportunities and Limitations in the Age of Smart Technology

2.1 Section 1: Literature Review

2.2 Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)

AR and VR offer immersive ways to engage with cultural heritage, allowing users to experience historical environments and intangible practices in lifelike formats (Pistola et al. 2021). For instance, AR apps can superimpose historical reconstructions over present-day ruins, showing visitors how structures once looked. VR can recreate ancient rituals, festivals, or traditional performances, making them accessible to global audiences. In educational contexts, these technologies bring Vietnamese heritage to life in classrooms and virtual museums. Students can explore interactive 3D models of heritage sites like the Thang Long Citadel or “attend” a Ca Tru performance through VR, deepening cultural understanding and appreciation among younger generations (Simsek et al. 2015).

2.3 Matters of Culture and Ethics

Digitalizing cultural heritage challenges issues related to who owns the resources, who may use them, and how they are represented (Manžuch 2017). In Vietnam, since a lot of traditions come from ethnic groups or local communities, it is important to avoid digital arrangements that could threaten their control and involvement (Duester 2023). If there are no clear frameworks, digital projects may forget that cultural expressions belong to certain groups and misuse them for profit.

Another issue is the chance that something from a culture can be changed out of its original context when it is put online (Tsvetkove et al. 2020). Artifacts from the past are frequently taken out of their cultural environment and purpose in new digital formats. For example, a digital picture of a ceremonial drum might not show its important place in the community’s spiritual life. Lack of context and community feedback when displaying digital content can lead to discussions of unfinished or distorted history. It is even more difficult for minority cultures, as they can already face stereotypes or be fringed on (Tsvetkova et al. 2020). For this reason, iDigitie encourages seeking information from cultural custodians and explaining details that keep the culture genuine.

2.4 Financial Constraints

Keeping digital data safe takes a lot of resources and ongoing investment in different types of equipment, programming and staff. Most cultural heritage conservation funding in Vietnam belongs to traditional projects and not to digital activities. Often, digitization efforts rely on funds from grants or external donations which struggle with either a lasting existence or opportunities to scale up (Duester 2022). By doing this, it becomes difficult to use extensive, lasting preservation plans. On top of these problems, not all companies can afford to experiment with new things such as AR/VR or blockchain which need money and experts to start with. Maintaining digital materials is best achieved when people experienced in archival science, digital humanities, data management, and cultural studies are engaged. In Vietnam, there are few people with the knowledge and skills required for planning, doing, and sustaining projects related to digital heritage. Because rural or provincial institutions often lack access to training and current approaches, their staff face this skill gap most acutely. For this reason, supplies of equipment may lack the necessary personnel to put those resources to the best use. Financial constraints remain one of the most significant barriers to the widespread adoption of smart technologies in Vietnam’s cultural heritage preservation efforts. Government funding for digital projects is limited, and most initiatives rely on grants, donations, or partnerships with international organizations (McDonough and Rodríguez 2020). This section explores how financial limitations affect project scale, sustainability, and the ability to integrate advanced technologies such as AR/VR and blockchain. Additionally, the lack of financial incentives for private-sector involvement in cultural preservation exacerbates these challenges. Strategies to overcome these financial hurdles, such as creating public-private partnerships and establishing sustainable funding models, are also discussed.

2.5 Digital Obsolescence Risks

One of the most persistent threats to digital preservation is digital obsolescence – the risk that digital files become unreadable due to outdated formats, corrupted data, or obsolete hardware and software (El Idrissi 2019). For instance, heritage data stored in now-defunct formats or on aging storage devices may degrade or become inaccessible over time if not periodically migrated and maintained. This introduces a long-term maintenance burden that many institutions are unprepared for. Unlike physical preservation, which may require periodic conservation, digital assets must be actively monitored, updated, and migrated to new platforms to ensure continued accessibility. Without dedicated digital archivists and long-term strategies, much of the effort invested in digitization could be lost (Khac et al., 2021a, Khac et al., 2021b). The rapid evolution of technology presents a further challenge. New tools and platforms emerge quickly, rendering previous systems obsolete. For instance, VR software or 3D scanning tools in use today may become unsupported within a few years, requiring costly upgrades or redevelopment. In such an environment, long-term sustainability is difficult to guarantee unless preservation efforts are accompanied by flexible planning and robust digital infrastructure.

2.6 Vietnamese Digital Heritage Projects and Platforms

Over recent years, more digital heritage projects have appeared in Vietnam to protect the nation’s art and history with the latest technology. The Thang Long Imperial Citadel VR is an outstanding initiative that allows people to see the historic site using realistic 3D technology designed with the support of experts and technologists (Duester 2023). So, the cultural meaning of the site remains intact even when its structures are worn or damaged. Thanks to its AI-driven digital asset management system, the Vietnam National Museum of History now identifies and classifies objects more easily, using automatic image recognition and adding detailed information. Using this system, ethnic minority textiles, ceramics, and historical documents are organized, making them more available and helping to reduce mistakes caused by manual archiving (Khac et al. 2021a, 2021b). Vietnam Heritage App includes an interactive archive with images, videos, and recorded stories of people from Vietnam. It is very important for reaching out to Vietnamese culture to people abroad and to young people who use their phones a lot. Such platforms help Vietnam show the power of smart technologies to protect its culture and invite greater community involvement.

2.7 AI and VR for Engagement and Accuracy

Automation through artificial intelligence assumes a vital position in handling heritage materials by enabling classification tasks as well as analysis needs and historical restoration methods (Madaan and Arora 2024). Through machine learning-enhanced algorithms researchers can process thousands of artefacts alongside historical documents for pattern recognition to conduct classification processes and enhance both image restoration and text decipherment (Gîrbacia 2024). Virtual reality shows its strength through delivering deep historical environment encounters to visitors. Virtual visitors have the opportunity to experience built reconstructions of historic temples and ancient towns in digital fabricated environments offering educational moments and strong emotions exceeding traditional exhibition capabilities. VR serves as a powerful tool for site restoration because it helps historians and technologists recreate monuments which were destroyed through war or negligence and natural calamities. Recreational digital models enable cultural memory preservation and supply a form of virtual artefact return to their original culture (Gîrbacia 2024).

2.8 Blockchain for Provenance and Authenticity

Digital preservation depends on establishing both the legitimate history and original integrity of digitized artefacts as primary preservation priorities (Njuguna and Kimote 2024). Blockchain technology tackles this issue through its creation of permanent digital records which record detailed information about artefact digitization timelines (Nguyen et al. 2024b). These records document what professionals performed the digitization process and when alterations occurred and which licensing restrictions govern digital object use or distribution. Blockchain enables protection of Vietnamese cultural heritage ownership rights through its power to block unauthorized commercial transactions and unauthorized asset modifications (Nguyen et al. 2024a). The protection of traditional knowledge together with indigenous expressions requires specific attention due to their requirement of community approval and ethical management standards.

2.9 Theoretical Framework and Research Overview

The study bases its examination of digital preservation for Vietnamese cultural heritage within smart technology through the Digital Curation Lifecycle Model and Cultural Heritage Informatics approaches (Poulopoulos and Wallace 2022; Nam and Thanh 2024).

3.1 Research Approach

The study conducts thematic analysis through secondary sources which incorporate academic journal articles combined with institutional reports and government policy documents and project case studies and conference proceedings as well as digital archive repositories. Sources were selected based on their relevance to digital preservation, cultural heritage management, technological innovation, and Vietnamese cultural studies. The inclusion and exclusion criteria are given in Table 1.

A specific search strategy has been used for identifying the key studies. Table 2 shows databases which have been utilized whereas Table 3 shows the keywords and search terms used for finding the studies.

The search process involved a combination of database searches, using the specified keywords in various combinations to ensure comprehensive coverage of the literature. Results were filtered based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria outlined above. After initial screening of titles and abstracts, full-text reviews were conducted to select studies that aligned closely with the research objectives. Studies not directly addressing the use of smart technologies for cultural heritage preservation or lacking sufficient methodological rigor were excluded. This explicit search strategy allows for transparency in the methodology and ensures that the collected data is credible, relevant, and systematically sourced. Let me know if you need further details on refining this strategy or other sections.

The patterns within literature become apparent through thematic analysis which helps users better understand positive aspects and challenges related to incorporating smart technologies in heritage preservation activities. The thematic analysis conducted in this study followed a process to ensure reliability and validity. The data was sourced from peer-reviewed academic journals, institutional reports, and Vietnamese cultural heritage case studies. Themes were identified using a combination of inductive and deductive coding approaches. A preliminary set of themes was derived from a review of the literature, followed by iterative coding and refinement. Sources were included if they directly addressed technological applications in cultural heritage preservation, particularly in the Vietnamese context. Exclusion criteria included studies not published in peer-reviewed journals or those unrelated to the main focus of the study such as Vietnamese cultural heritage and its digital preservation. A quality assessment of the reviewed literature was conducted based on the relevance, publication date, and credibility of sources.

Themes that guided the analysis include:

1. Technological advancements in digital preservation

2. Successful implementation models within Vietnam

3. Barriers to adoption (e.g., funding, infrastructure, ethical issues)

4. Opportunities for increasing accessibility and community participation

This approach allows for a holistic view of the subject, capturing the complex interplay between technology, culture, and policy. Data extraction was performed using a structured approach, focusing on key details such as the technologies employed, challenges identified, and recommendations for future developments. Each selected source was analyzed for its alignment with the study’s research questions, categorizing findings based on technological opportunities and limitations.

3.2 Scope and Limitations

The study is limited in scope to the Vietnamese context, focusing primarily on national, regional, and local initiatives related to the preservation of both tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Particular emphasis is placed on examples from Vietnamese museums, libraries, cultural institutions, and governmental agencies. While the study includes references to international models for comparative insight, its core analytical focus remains on how digital preservation is evolving in Vietnam. Importantly, this research does not involve the collection of primary data such as interviews, surveys, or field observations. Instead, it relies entirely on publicly available literature and documented case studies. As such, it may not capture the most recent, unpublished initiatives or informal community-driven efforts that are less documented in academic or institutional sources. Despite these limitations, the qualitative and exploratory nature of this research provides a robust foundation for identifying strategic pathways and policy recommendations to enhance digital preservation efforts in Vietnam, especially in the context of smart technological integration. While thematic analysis allows for the identification of key themes within the literature, it is important to recognize that this method does not capture all nuances or the dynamic relationships between technology, culture, and society. For instance, while the research highlights technological advancements, it does not adequately address the varying levels of community engagement with these technologies. Additionally, the thematic approach, by focusing on secondary data, may overlook the rapidly evolving nature of digital preservation practices, especially in underreported rural or local settings.

4.1 Theme 1: Technological Advancements in Digital Preservation

Recent technological innovations have significantly advanced cultural preservation initiatives in Vietnam. Digital preservation of tangible and intangible heritage receives innovative protection through the implementation of artificial intelligence along with augmented reality and virtual reality and Internet of Things and blockchain technology (Francis 2023; Dinh et al. 2021). The transformative utilities of AI systems during cultural artefact processing come from automated classification and translation followed by tagging operations which streamline archivist work and boost both accuracy and speed of operation (Khac et al. 2021a, 2021b). A close look at Vietnamese cultural artifacts and traditions uncovers that using technology has helped protect them better. Museums and other cultural bodies designed digital archives of the Dong Son bronze drums by doing 3D scans, allowing us to view them in virtual ways (Dinh et al. 2021). These models are used to protect our cultural history and also act as useful tools in outreach programs. Collecting digital audio of Ca Tru and Quan Ho music together with AI transcription technology has made it possible to accurately store this intangible cultural heritage. They help to reduce the damage from modernity and changes in family ties to traditional practices (Nam and Thanh 2024). Due to digital archives, scholars can use clear recordings and easily check details in the metadata to expand their research and increase cultural appreciation. Leveraging different heritage elements within the digital preservation network in Vietnam underlines why customized technology is essential to maintain both the shape and cultural richness of such objects. Although the advancements in AR and VR technologies offer new ways to engage with cultural heritage, their long-term effectiveness hinges on several factors that require critical evaluation. For example, the widespread adoption of VR in museums faces barriers beyond technological limitations, such as the ability to engage diverse audiences. While VR may enhance user interaction with heritage sites, it risks creating a passive viewing experience for audiences, potentially reducing the sense of ownership or personal connection to the culture. Moreover, while AI has facilitated the digitization of cultural assets, it is imperative to assess the quality and cultural sensitivity of automated categorization processes. The risk of AI misclassifying or oversimplifying complex cultural artifacts could undermine the authenticity of digital preservation efforts.

4.2 Theme 2: Successful Implementation Models Within Vietnam

The adoption of these technologies becomes more widespread throughout Vietnamese institutions for heritage protection purposes. A significant number of museums together with libraries and cultural agencies have digitally presented their archival materials through mobile applications (Das et al. 2022). AI-based artefact classification systems and Internet-of-Things sensors for storage space monitoring demonstrate the specific implementation of universal trends within Vietnamese projects. The use of VR involves the reconstruction of the ancient Thang Long Citadel and integration of AI assists in protecting traditional garments and artefacts (Nguyen et al. 2024b). One lesson learned from these achievements is that Vietnam’s increasing ability to combine technology with cultural preservation purposes operates smoothly with limited financial resources and inadequate infrastructure.

4.3 Theme 3: Barriers to Adoption

Smart technology implementation continues to encounter various obstacles even when showing positive results. Financial constraints remain the most significant obstacle hindering the expansion and scalability of digital preservation projects (Duester and Tran 2023). Institutions often struggle to secure proper funding together with specialized technical know-how for complete implementation of advanced digital systems. Deployment process encounters challenges due to insufficient infrastructure which becomes especially challenging in both rural and remote locations (Duester and Tran 2023). The implementation of digital heritage faces both ethical problems relating to ownership of digital heritage and the inclusion of community voices and accurate cultural context representation. Fragmented collective efforts caused by the lack of standard policies work toward diminishing the sustainability of long-term cultural initiatives. The financial constraints hindering the implementation of smart technologies in Vietnam are not merely a consequence of limited resources but are also a reflection of broader systemic challenges. Inadequate infrastructure in rural and remote areas not only limits access to digital technologies but also highlights the structural inequalities within the country’s heritage preservation efforts. Moreover, financial reliance on grants and donations for digitization projects leads to a lack of sustainability and continuity, as these funding models are often short-term and project-specific. This issue is further compounded by the lack of institutional commitment to digital preservation in Vietnam’s national policies, which results in fragmented and ad hoc efforts across various cultural institutions.

4.4 Theme 4: Opportunities for Accessibility and Community Participation

Through smart technologies communities gain access to broadened public engagement and cultural accessibility (Nguyen and Sikka 2023). The digital transformation enables distant viewing of Vietnamese culture which brings advantages to diaspora groups and academic researchers and those who need disability accommodations. Through digital archives and mobile apps combined with AR tools society gains democratized access to cultural heritage as well as participation from youth for educational purposes (Nguyen and Sikka 2023). Moreover, the use of multimedia digital formats provides storytelling possibilities to minority communities for tradition preservation and national representation. The cultural diplomacy as well as global soft power capabilities of Vietnam are strengthened through these cultural initiatives. The analysis demonstrates the profound way digital technology influences the preservation of cultural heritage in Vietnam. The continued advancement of digital heritage management needs active systems reform alongside infrastructure expansion and employee development along with ethical standards for inclusive practice. While digital technologies provide unprecedented access to cultural heritage, it is important to analyze who benefits from this access and whether the technology truly empowers local communities. For example, the use of mobile apps like the Vietnam Heritage App offers significant potential to engage diaspora communities, yet it remains crucial to assess how well these technologies address the needs of rural communities, where access to smartphones and internet connectivity may be limited (Nguyen and Sikka 2023). Furthermore, while technology can democratize cultural heritage, it is important to question whether the digital platforms created reflect the diverse voices and perspectives of Vietnam’s various ethnic groups. Without proper community involvement and feedback during the digitization process, there is a risk that the digital representation of cultural heritage could marginalize minority cultures or misrepresent their histories.

5.1 Future Directions and Recommendations

Several emerging technologies and strategic policy initiatives can enhance Vietnamese cultural heritage preservation efforts which need to be strategically incorporated with current operations. Digital preservation will advance when advanced technologies combine with infrastructure and sociocultural solutions designed for the current conditions of the country.

5.2 Emerging Innovations

Cloud-native digital libraries represent an advanced solution that shows significant potential in library development. These digital platforms feature decentralized storage capabilities together with their unlimited scalability and they allow institutions to provide comprehensive heritage content storage solutions from any location. Cloud-native platforms provide complete real-time data backup systems and automated artificial intelligence tools through their native digital storage capabilities that surpass conventional storage systems. The substance of content classification and curation will increasingly depend on machine learning (ML) interventions. Using ML algorithms enables automatic pattern recognition that helps organize artefacts followed by automated tagging functions and the discovery of new cultural interrelationships between documents and artefacts. These tools significantly reduce the workload involved in cataloging heritage content, allowing institutions to focus more on enhancing the narratives around these cultural materials.

5.3 Policy Recommendations

The complete adoption of smart technology for heritage protection in Vietnam requires established policies at every level for maximum benefits. The first requirement involves decisive funding support from governments together with financial stabilizers. The digitization projects receive grants and the private sector gets tax incentives to collaborate while specific funding targets areas with limited access to technology, primarily rural regions. Digital literacy and its growth should represent a priority that the nation actively supports. The success of digital preservation depends on professionals who have competency in protecting cultural heritage through their knowledge of digital methods as well as their expertise in cultural artefacts. A trained generation of heritage technologists will emerge through educational initiatives for students and public participants at training programs and university levels and workshops. The effective exchange of information together with technical support becomes possible through the creation of cross-institutional partnerships at worldwide and local levels. Partnership formations between Vietnamese museums and universities in addition to tech firms can access international organisations like UNESCO that provide advanced tools and grant possibilities together with universal best practices. Through such partnerships organizations promote ethical practices which protect cultural ownership and enable full participation in preservation work. While the recommendations for policy support and strategic investment are crucial, it is necessary to critically evaluate how these suggestions can be implemented effectively in the face of the identified barriers. For example, strategic investments must prioritize not only the adoption of advanced technologies but also the establishment of infrastructure that ensures equitable access across Vietnam’s diverse regions. Furthermore, policy initiatives must go beyond financial support and also include the development of long-term sustainability plans that involve local communities, cultural custodians, and technology experts. Only through a holistic approach that balances technological advancement with cultural integrity and social inclusion can Vietnam achieve meaningful and sustainable progress in preserving its cultural heritage.