In the solemn space that holds the proud memories of the nation, the Điện Biên Phủ Victory Museum has undergone a remarkable transformation, applying digital technology to “breathe life” into its exhibits, making history more accessible, particularly to younger generations. As part of the digital era, the Điện Biên Phủ Victory Museum recognizes that the preservation and promotion of heritage cannot be limited to physical displays. This is why the museum has launched numerous large-scale digital transformation projects in recent years, with high expectations of preserving and spreading the story of Điện Biên Phủ’s legendary victory. At the heart of these projects is the digitization of thousands of valuable documents, artifacts, and historical information on display and storage at the museum. Using modern scanning equipment, the technical team meticulously collects, processes, and converts these materials into various digital formats: From detailed 3D files, sharp images, vibrant sounds, to valuable archival videos.

Hoàng Thị Thoa, Deputy Director of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory Museum, shared: “Currently, the museum holds around 7,000 documents and artifacts. In the initial phase of the project, the museum carefully selected 960 representative artifacts to be digitized. This includes 506 items on display and 454 valuable artifacts stored in the museum’s warehouse (100 of which are planned for special exhibits, and 354 items for public tours). The 3D scanning of the objects not only creates an extremely detailed and rich 3D digital archive but also opens many new possibilities. It enhances the safety and sustainability of storage, improves data search and retrieval, and, importantly, serves as a foundation for developing interactive applications, virtual tours, and advanced research.”

From this rich digitized data foundation, the Điện Biên Phủ Victory Museum has developed a scientific and effective artifact management software, utilizing QR codes for easy artifact lookup. It has also created a virtual museum tour program, a 3D film room combined with models, as well as an interactive 3D mapping software for museum tours. In addition, the museum has developed an experience zone with virtual reality software, interactive 3D mapping, virtual guides, and 3D AR promotional software.

The most impressive highlight for visitors is the appearance of five modern information lookup stations strategically placed within the exhibition space. These stations provide intuitive and engaging information about the historical context of the artifacts, the emotional stories behind them, along with images and videos related to events from the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign. Particularly, with support for three languages - Vietnamese, English, and French - the lookup stations serve as effective “virtual guides” that help both domestic and international visitors explore the monumental victory of the Vietnamese people.

Phạm Thị Duyên, a resident of Nam Thanh ward, Điện Biên Phủ city, shared her experience with the information lookup station: “It is really convenient and interesting. Instead of just reading brief captions, I can delve deeper into the artifacts that interest me and watch images and videos. The stories behind each artifact are especially touching. This new technology helps me understand and feel history in a much more engaging way, even without a museum guide.”

Following the trends of the 4.0 industrial revolution, the Điện Biên province Museum is gradually modernizing its management, preservation, and promotion of cultural heritage by applying information technology and digital transformation. Recognizing technology as the key to enhancing operational effectiveness, the museum has actively adopted and implemented advanced digitization solutions. Currently, the museum is using a museum information management system standardized by the Department of Cultural Heritage, which helps streamline professional procedures and manage artifact databases systematically. Additionally, the museum is using specialized software for digitizing artifacts, including 383 items in 2D (high-quality images) and 90 items in 3D (3D models), along with digitizing 4,242 pages of important documents stored in the museum’s archive.

The development of a digital database for artifacts and documents brings multidimensional benefits. It ensures secure, sustainable storage, minimizes the impact of time and environment on original objects, and provides convenient access for researchers and scientists. Lê Thị Lan Anh, Deputy Director of the Điện Biên province’ Museum, emphasized: “The application of information technology has made the management, exploration, and retrieval of artifact information more scientific, convenient, and easy. Especially, the digitization of 3D and 2D artifacts has provided a new form of visiting the museum.”

Indeed, as shared by the Deputy Director, digitizing artifacts could open opportunities to create virtual exhibition rooms, online tours, or other interactive digital forms in the future, allowing Điện Biên’s cultural heritage to transcend geographical boundaries and reach a wider audience. Though still in the early stages, the museum’s efforts in applying information technology and digital transformation show great promise in line with global development trends, ensuring the long-term effectiveness in managing and promoting the province’s cultural heritage.

The digital transformation journey in the province’s museums is a vivid example of how technology can coexist with history. By applying digitization, the museums not only preserve heritage sustainably but also introduce new, engaging ways for the public to experience and interact with the heroic history and cultural richness of this far-western region.