It can be seen that, in recent years, the application of digital technology connected to the internet in social life has made strong changes in all fields, and culture is no exception.
Experience shows that building the digital cultural environment has been a global trend, and is becoming more and more urgent. However, due to many reasons, the work of digitisation in the field of culture seems to be somewhat delayed compared to other professions and fields.
In 2020, when the COVID-19 epidemic suddenly occurred, many social activities were severely affected, including art and culture. A series of theatres, cinemas, attractions, historical sites, museums, libraries stopped welcoming visitors, and art shows were cancelled.
The cultural and artistic life was almost frozen. But it is this unexpected objective cause that has created a push, promoting the application of digital technology in the field of culture and art to take place faster. Now, in order to survive, cultural and art activities must find ways to adapt to the new situation.
Artists who are used to traditional creative ways must also gradually adapt to new contexts; however, grasping and exploiting the advantages of technology opens many new opportunities for professional activities.
That is why, despite the outbreak of COVID-19 in Vietnam, the public has witnessed the birth of the “Isolation Theatre” and “Symphony Orchestra at Home” models; providing the opportunity to experience digital museums; enjoy online performing arts programmes; join online book exchanges; read books online; or sit at home to search for documents on digital libraries.
Thanks to the application of digital technology in their activities, many units and individuals have implemented many cultural programmes and projects that resonate. However, many places still show confusion, even a passive mentality, waiting for the epidemic to disappear. But the longer the wait, the more that art culture lags behind, thus losing its role in social life.
Actively applying digital technology in cultural and artistic activities will help build a digital environment that meets the trends of the times and the requirements of society.
Not only does it help to store information, preserve heritages and rare documents, and exploit the advantages of technology, it also helps the public’s access to become easier and more effective. The results of promoting national cultural values are constantly being replicated, beyond the limits of time and space. For example, thanks to the process of documenting and digitising heritages, the Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts has successfully made many dossiers submitted to UNESCO for registration in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which is the unique practice of worshipping Hung Kings in Phu Tho Province, the Practices Related to the Vietnamese Beliefs in the Mother Goddesses of Three Realms in Nam Dinh, and Vi and Giam singing of Nghe Tinh.
It can be said that technology is the key to development. Therefore, building a digitised environment in the cultural field is something we need to soon deploy in a synchronous manner, with a long-term strategy, contributing to the position and spread of Vietnamese cultural values in the international arena.
