For years, both the national and local cultural sectors have faced the same question: how to safeguard heritage against the erosion of time while making cultural values more accessible to younger generations in the digital age? Digital transformation has emerged as the answer.

In Điện Biên, this direction has been translated into numerous concrete programs and projects. Viewing technology as the “key” to enhancing heritage preservation and promotion, the province has gradually introduced digital applications into practice, from museums and libraries to relic management systems. The cultural image of Điện Biên is increasingly spreading far and wide, becoming a highlight in the Northwest region’s digital transformation journey.

A notable achievement is the unified digital platform for managing cultural heritage and relics at qldsvh.svhttdl.dienbien.gov.vn. This system not only facilitates storage, management, and research but also serves as an effective communication channel. As a result, heritage is no longer confined to traditional archives but transformed into open data sources for learning, research, tourism, and international exchange.

One of the most remarkable highlights is the upgrade project of the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign Exhibition Room at the Điện Biên Phủ Victory Museum. The museum houses nearly 1,000 artifacts linked to the legendary victory that “resounded across five continents and shook the world”. It stands out as a model for applying technology in exhibition design and heritage promotion. The province has developed artifact management software, a multilingual information search system (in Vietnamese, English, French, and others), and installed interactive information kiosks. The 3,000m² Panorama painting - a monumental artwork depicting the entire campaign - has been digitally enhanced. Virtual museum tours and mobile applications have created engaging, tech-driven experiences for visitors, especially younger audiences familiar with digital environments.

The Điện Biên provincial Museum is also modernizing its management and conservation efforts. The museum has adopted an information management system aligned with national standards set by the Department of Cultural Heritage, ensuring a scientific and standardized process. To date, the museum has digitized 383 two-dimensional artifacts, 90 three-dimensional objects, and over 4,200 archival pages. According to Lê Thị Lan Anh, Deputy Director of the provincial Museum: “Applying information technology makes artifact management, research, and retrieval more scientific, convenient, and effective. The 2D and 3D digitization not only preserves original artifacts but also offers the public new, immersive ways to experience heritage.”

Meanwhile, the Điện Biên provincial Library is making strong progress in digital transformation. With the goal of building a modern, flexible reading environment, the library has implemented various IT solutions to better serve readers. Mai Thế Mạnh, the Library Director, shared: “We’ve deployed the Mylib and Dilib software systems, digitized more than 1,000 local documents totaling over 300,000 pages, and built an Audio Book database with over 16,500 audio files. Our online catalog integrates bibliographic data from multiple collections, providing easy access for readers both inside and outside the province. In addition, we’re innovating our communication methods by producing book introduction videos and developing an online “Press Highlights” section, which has drawn significant attention from young readers.”

With these innovations, the library has evolved beyond a traditional repository of knowledge to become a digital cultural hub, a place where readers can access knowledge in diverse and engaging ways.

Clearly, digital transformation is opening a new chapter for Điện Biên’s cultural sector. From museums and libraries to relic management systems, all are undergoing visible, systematic modernization. Artifacts and rare documents once confined to archives are now accessible in digital spaces, becoming open cultural resources for everyone. This progress lays a solid foundation for Điện Biên to harness its cultural values effectively, in tandem with tourism development, education, and international cooperation.