Da Nang museums go digital with tech apps

There is no need to go to museums and buy entrance tickets to see artifacts, now, with just smart phones connected to the internet, netizens can enjoy exhibits wherever they are. 3D scanning technology has been put into use in the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture since late September 2020 with the aim of bringing up the most authentic experience to visitors amid the burgeoning Industry 4.0. The authentic multi-dimensional virtual experience and 360-degree high-definition pictures satisfy visitors’ visual desire while encouraging them to pay a visit late in reality.

When accessing the website http://scan3d.danangfantasticity.com featuring information on diverse display with the Vietnamese and English languages, both residents and visitors will step into a vivid virtual reality space to explore the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture.

3D scanning is a technology for creating high-precision 3D models of real-world objects. Simply put, objects are digitized and its virtual and physical replications are created by using the photogrammetry technique. The scanning is done at visitors’ premises using special lights and setup without damaging the artifacts.

With 3 viewing modes and 3D multi-dimensional 360-degree viewing angle, you can easily experience a 3D space at the museum’s four galleries, namely Tra Kieu, My Son, Dong Duong and Thap Me.

The short, smooth and detailed movements allow users to actively interact directly with the unlimited space and move through the space to any point to feel as if the real-world exhibits are placed there.

Besides, through the existing multi-lingual audio guide, visitors can access audio recordings to gain an insight into the history, origin, place names, and information about the 14 typical exhibits with themes of Hindu and Buddhist gods, fertility symbols, sacred animals and architectural decorations that reveal diverse cultural, religious and aesthetic life of the ancient Champa inhabitants.

Amongst them were objects to be bestowed Viet Nam’s national treasure status, namely the Ganesha and Gajasimha statutes, the Tara Bodhisattva Statue, and the Tra Kieu, My Son E1 and Dong Duong pedestals.
In fact, the distance between the artifacts in the museum and the public has been narrowed.

Amid the new coronavirus wave, all entertainment, sightseeing and tourism activities across Da Nang have been suspended following the municipal administration’s COVID-19 restrictions. However, thanks to the use of technological devices, both local residents and visitors, even at home, can still access the latest updates and stunning images of historical sites and scenic spots across the city through the Da Nang Cultural Heritage Map at http://scan3d.danangfantasticity.com.

Developed by the Heritage Management Department of the Museum of Da Nang, the Da Nang Cultural Heritage Map software has been operating since 2020 to serve the promotion of cultural heritages in the city on the internet.
By accessing the aforementioned website, users can discover the function of 360-degree virtual tour space with voiceover. At the same time, all information about tourist attractions are presented in the form of images and clips so that viewers can find it easier and convenient to look up what information they need on heritages.

Through the software, locals and visitors can access information about 2 special national-level venues, namely the Dien Hai Citadel and the Marble Mountains Tourist Area, the Hai Van Gate inter-provincial relic site, and 12 national-level and 31 municipal-level sites, and the Ba Na Hills community-based tourist attraction.
In particular, the Dien Hai Citadel, the Marble Mountains Tourist Area and the Hai Van Gate have been represented with 3D images and 360-degree virtual sightseeing space.

Mr. Tran Chuan, Head of Education – Communications Office of the Da Nang Museum said: “The map was built to serve the exploitation and promotion of cultural heritages on the Internet. Through the software, users will have a panoramic overview of the city’s monuments and scenic spots. In addition, the software also builds a database system specialized in Cultural Heritage to help managers search data and information about local heritages”.