The Dalat Art Map, launched on August 29th, is a comprehensive guide designed to help visitors explore the city’s significant attractions and renowned landmarks. This innovative project, a collaborative effort between the Dalat People’s Committee and UNESCO’s Vietnam office, aims to promote tourism and cultural awareness in Dalat. It offers both locals and visitors a detailed roadmap of the city’s artistic and historical landscape.
The Dalat Art Map highlights key cultural and artistic sites, enhancing the experience of exploring this picturesque city known for its blend of natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Developed by Pho Ben Doi Creative Studio, the map is part of a broader initiative focused on highlighting community values and supporting sustainable urban development in Dalat. It reflects the city’s commitment to preserving its unique cultural identity while embracing modern development.
The map features 52 carefully selected destinations, covering a wide range of interests. These include public spaces that encourage community engagement, historical and heritage sites that narrate Dalat’s rich past, museums that showcase its artistic achievements, research and educational facilities, religious sites that reflect the city’s spiritual fabric, natural landscapes that display its breathtaking scenery, and various arts and entertainment venues that provide cultural enrichment.
To make the map accessible to a wide audience, it is available in both printed and digital formats. Visitors can easily access information by scanning QR codes placed at various attractions throughout the city. For those who prefer a physical copy, the map can be obtained free of charge at Dalat Station.
This dual-format approach ensures that the Dalat Art Map is a versatile and user-friendly resource, enhancing the cultural tourism experience and making it easier for visitors to navigate and appreciate the artistic soul of Dalat. This map is more than just a navigational aid; it serves as a vital link connecting artists, art institutions, and the local community. It aims to unveil captivating narratives about Dalat’s history, culture, and creativity, fostering a deeper connection among these diverse groups.
By doing so, it enriches the cultural experience for residents and tourists alike, transforming how people interact with and appreciate the city’s artistic and historical legacy. Moreover, the initiative plays a crucial role in advancing sustainable tourism and the arts in Dalat. By highlighting and supporting the work of local artists and cultural sites, the map encourages responsible tourism practices that respect and preserve Dalat’s unique cultural identity.
This focus on sustainability ensures that the city’s rich heritage and vibrant arts scene can continue to thrive for future generations, making Dalat not only a destination but a cultural hub that celebrates its past while looking forward to a creative future. Baker underscored Dalat’s potential for sustainable development, emphasizing its wealth of cultural traditions drawn from over 20 ethnic minorities. By striking a balance between socioeconomic progress and the preservation of cultural heritage, Dalat can capitalize on the economic benefits derived from artistic innovation. Promoting various forms of creative expression not only enriches the cultural landscape but also contributes to the city’s economic vitality, ensuring that its rich heritage remains a living part of the community.
The Dalat People’s Committee is committed to collaborating with relevant organizations to further develop the art map, ensuring it includes comprehensive and up-to-date information on emerging art destinations and significant local cultural events. Following the release of both print and digital graphic versions, plans are underway to introduce an interactive online version of the map. This digital expansion will provide users with an engaging and immersive way to explore Dalat’s artistic and cultural offerings, enhancing their experience and understanding of the city’s unique identity.
Vietnam has embraced the integration of digital tourism maps to enhance the travel experience for visitors by providing immersive and detailed visual guides to its many attractive destinations. One notable development occurred in May, when Star Global introduced the Smart 3D/360 Interactive Heritage Map in Ho Chi Minh City. This innovative application offers a virtual reality (VR) tour experience, enabling tourists to explore iconic heritage sites such as Halong Bay and Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park from the comfort of their own devices, offering a fresh perspective on these natural wonders.
Expanding on the use of advanced digital platforms, the city of Hoi An launched a pioneering project in 2023 to bring its rich cultural and historical heritage to life within the Metaverse. This ambitious initiative included the creation of a VR 360 website, known as the Hoi An Metaverse Space, which offers virtual tours that simulate real-life exploration. Additionally, a detailed 3D digital map of the Hoi An Japanese Bridge was developed on the MAP 3D platform, providing an interactive experience that allows users to engage with this historic site in a completely new way.
The focus on enhancing digital tourism did not stop there. In the same year, Con Dao, a group of islands known for their pristine natural beauty and historical significance, saw the launch of a 360-degree 3D map by the Management Board of Con Dao National Tourist Area. This map intricately links high-quality photographs to create a seamless 3D representation of Con Dao, offering users the ability to observe the islands from multiple angles. This approach not only enriches the user experience but also serves as a tool for conservation by promoting awareness of the islands’ natural and cultural assets.
These initiatives reflect a broader trend in Vietnam to utilize cutting-edge technology to make its cultural and natural heritage more accessible and engaging for a global audience. By integrating VR and 3D mapping technologies, these projects offer a bridge between traditional tourism and modern digital experiences. This blend of technology and tourism not only caters to the evolving preferences of travelers but also positions Vietnam as a leader in digital tourism innovation in the Southeast Asian region.
Looking forward, these digital platforms are expected to play a crucial role in promoting Vietnam’s tourism industry, offering potential tourists a preview of what the country has to offer. By providing immersive and interactive experiences, these maps help attract visitors by sparking interest and providing an informative glimpse into Vietnam’s diverse destinations. The continued development and expansion of such digital tools will likely enhance the overall travel experience, making it more interactive, educational, and appealing to tech-savvy travelers around the world.
