Vietnam is making waves on the global cinema scene, positioning itself as a burgeoning destination for filmmakers and film enthusiasts alike. The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (MOCST) is spearheading this initiative, collaborating with Google to create a captivating narrative around Vietnam’s cultural tapestry and stunning landscapes.
This strategic partnership has resulted in a series of impactful projects aimed at showcasing Vietnam’s unique offerings to a global audience. One notable example is the “Google Arts & Culture: Wonders of Vietnam” project, launched in January 2021. This initiative brought 35 virtual exhibitions to life, featuring over 1,300 images of Vietnam’s iconic tourist attractions, rich cultural heritage, and breathtaking natural landscapes. These exhibitions celebrated the UNESCO-recognized heritage and natural beauty of provinces like Quang Binh, Ninh Binh, Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang, and Quang Nam, captivating audiences worldwide with their immersive experience.
Another successful collaboration saw the launch of the “Vibrant Vietnam” campaign, which showcased the country’s vibrant cultural diversity and dynamic appeal from North to South. This initiative highlighted Vietnam’s stunning biodiversity and rich cultural heritage, inviting travelers to experience the full spectrum of its unique offerings.
Recognizing the crucial role of digital transformation in the tourism sector, Google partnered with the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism to launch the YouTube campaign “Live Fully in Vietnam!” This campaign garnered millions of views, generating significant public attention and solidifying Vietnam’s place on the global travel map. Its success was further amplified by winning several national-level awards in 2022, a testament to the campaign’s effectiveness in promoting Vietnam’s tourism potential.
Beyond promotional campaigns, Google has also dedicated its efforts to empowering Vietnam’s tourism industry through digital skills training. This initiative, targeted at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including tourism businesses, aims to equip them with the necessary digital tools to thrive in the post-pandemic era. By leveraging Travel Insights tools, Google has provided the tourism industry with invaluable data on digital search trends, facilitating their digital transformation and accelerating their growth trajectory.
The impact of this collaboration is evident in the positive feedback from Google’s leadership. Mr. Marc Woo, Managing Director of Google Vietnam and Google Asia Pacific, commended the partnership with MOCST, describing the results as “miraculous” in solidifying Vietnam’s tourism image on the global stage through Google platforms. He emphasized the paramount importance of digital transformation in the cultural and tourism sectors, underscoring Google’s commitment to advancing AI technology and supporting Vietnam in developing its digital economy, particularly in human resource development.
Ms. Clare Brooks, Southeast Asia Manager of Google Arts & Culture, highlighted Google’s ongoing efforts to preserve Vietnam’s cultural heritage, including the digitization of Tu Duc Tomb in Hue’s Monuments Complex in 2018. Similar projects are underway for the Trang An Landscape Complex and Ha Long Bay, ensuring the preservation and accessibility of Vietnam’s valuable cultural heritage for future generations.
Recognizing Google’s invaluable contribution to Vietnam’s cultural and tourism sectors, MOCST’s Deputy Minister, Ho An Phong, expressed his gratitude and called for continued support from Google. He emphasized the importance of digitizing all eight UNESCO-recognized world heritage sites and intangible cultural heritage elements in Vietnam, further strengthening the partnership between Google and the Vietnamese cultural and tourism sectors. This joint effort promises to further elevate Vietnam’s position as a leading destination for global cinema, culture, and tourism.
