Whereas previously, activities at the Điện Biên Phủ Museum were primarily tethered to static display spaces where tourists observed artifacts through glass cases and listened to oral presentations, technology now offers new ways to approach history. Visitors can proactively explore information about artifacts by scanning QR codes on their smartphones or looking it up directly on electronic devices placed within the exhibition areas.

Currently, the Museum has installed five electronic information lookup kiosks integrating introductory content, images, videos, and historical narratives in Vietnamese, English, and French. Furthermore, visual projection formats contribute to recreating historical events and figures more vividly, enriching tourists’ experiences during their visits.

Hoàng Nam, a tourist from Hải Phòng city, shared: “I was quite surprised and impressed when visiting the museum. The integrated equipment for looking up information, images, and videos is highly convenient and easy to use. In particular, being able to interact directly and view images recreating historical events made me feel very excited.”

To effectively apply technology, building and perfecting a digital database of artifacts and documents holds exceptional importance. This is one of the prioritized tasks at the Điện Biên Phủ Museum during the process of inheriting, managing, and exploiting documentary sources following the merger.

Currently, the Museum manages a repository of documents and artifacts inherited from the units prior to the merger. Within this, approximately 7,000 artifacts and documents were inventoried at the artifact preservation department of the former Điện Biên Phủ Victory Museum. Among these, around 100 quintessential artifacts serve thematic exhibitions, while the remainder are utilized to serve visitors touring open storage areas.

Digitized data generated during the operations of the former provincial Museum includes nearly 400 artifacts as 2D images, 90 artifacts as 3D models, and over 4,200 document pages. This is a valuable documentary source that contributes to forming the database serving the current management, conservation, and heritage value promotion of the Điện Biên Phủ Museum. Vũ Thị Tuyết Nga, Director of the Điện Biên Phủ Museum, stated: Applying technology to management, archiving, and exhibition helps efficiently exploit the value of the document and artifact system; generating diverse and captivating historical introduction methods that meet the increasingly varied demands of visitors.

Beyond digitizing artifacts and documents within the museum, technology is also applied in conserving and introducing historical monuments across the province. Since 2022, Điện Biên has completed digitization, building 2D images and 3D models to serve virtual tours for national-level monuments. Among these are multiple sites belonging to the Điện Biên Phủ Battlefield monument complex, such as: the Campaign Command Headquarters, A1 Hill, de Castries’ Bunker, the Victory Monument, and the Martyrs’ Temple at the Điện Biên Phủ Battlefield. In 2024, investing in and upgrading exhibition spaces at the Điện Biên Phủ Victory Museum (now the Điện Biên Phủ Museum) created further highlights in applying technology, innovating historical introduction methods, and serving tourists.

According to Vũ Thị Tuyết Nga, applying technology to upgrade exhibition spaces opens new ways to present documents and historical events. Through 3D imagery, documentary films, and projection technologies, the battles, locations, and vital milestones of the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign are recreated more visually. Consequently, viewers can more clearly envision the historical context, better understand the sacrifices and contributions of our army and people during the campaign, deeply feel the value of the monuments, and grasp the significance of the victory.

Alongside innovating presentation methods at the Điện Biên Phủ Museum and historical monument sites, digital technology expands the space for promoting Điện Biên’s image, bringing historical and cultural information to a broader public audience. In March 2026, with the objective of bringing the image of “Điện Biên - A heroic historical epic, cultural identity - a distinct experiential destination” closer to tourists, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism signed a cooperation agreement with Vitamin Network Media Co., Ltd. to step up communication across domestic and international digital platforms. This involves forming a network of local KOLs and Creators; applying digital technology (AI, Big Data, digital platforms) to tourism promotion and socio-economic development; and increasing the brand recognition of Điện Biên culture and tourism on digital platforms. The effort strives to increase tourist arrivals to Điện Biên by an average of over 10% annually through a measurable digital media campaign.

Nguyễn Thị Thanh Chuyên, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated: Given the extraordinary historical value of the Điện Biên Phủ Battlefield monument complex and the rich system of artifacts and documents at the Điện Biên Phủ Museum, applying technology must be identified as a crucial solution within the strategy for conserving and promoting heritage value, ensuring a balance between safeguarding originality and historical depth and innovating the public’s access methods. This also establishes the foundation to elevate heritage management efficiency, unleash the exceptional value of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory, and build heritage into a resource for traditional education and cultural tourism development in the province.