Since 2020, the VNMH has researched and upgraded 3D virtual applications to introduce the exhibition "National Treasures of Viet Nam” which are preserved at the VNMH. The content was not only updated and supplemented, but the access to the collection was also modernized. The information for each national treasure was introduced in more detail on different levels in terms of basic information, images, clips, 3D objects, research material, references, and even mini-games. Thus, the exhibition now serves a wider audience with various needs.

Visitors had the opportunity to enjoy the museum’s permanent collections and listen to young and enthusiastic volunteer tour guides. In the virtual tour, objects were visible and clearly seen with 3D exhibition, powerpoint, and videos. At the end of the tour, visitors took part in a Q&A session with the guides and short games on the Menti or Quizz platforms, both of which were designed to enhance the learning dimension of the experience.

The VMNH has received positive comments and feedback by questionnaires, that helped to improve the quality of the virtual tours. Online exhibitions have been spreading steadily, attracting a broader audience, particularly, students from all educational levels. In fact, the Museum has been conducting virtual tours to selected schools, going from class to class and presenting a wide variety of themes with the cooperation of teachers and parents. The virtual tours have proven to be a rich opportunity for students to learn about the value of documents, artifacts and objects within the collection, exhibited through display at the VNMH during the pandemic. It has proven so successful that the museum plans to continue this program monthly even after we have returned to the “new normal.”

The outstanding advantages of online courses include attractively designed lessons with condensed content, vivid images, documentary films and cartoons, combined with storytelling and games, which the students were excited and interested to experience. The online courses help students organize their learning time while saving time on traveling, making it a suitable direction of education in this era of technology, especially during times of pandemic.

The texts introduce Vietnamese history from the Prehistoric period to the end of the last dynasty of Viet Nam (1945). The app allows visitors to select what they wish to listen to without a live guide, at their own space. The brochure (with map) for the audio guide and priority texts are noted for 60 minutes, 120 minutes, and 180 minutes in three languages–Vietnamese, English, and Korean, with more languages to be provided. The step-by-step process that the VMNH took to modernize user-experience activities has provided visitors with renewed, convenient, and diverse accessibility suitable in the current era of digital technology.

In other museums all over the world, the application of technology in interpreting exhibitions has become an indispensable aspect. For the Viet Nam National Museum of History, however, it can be difficult to research and develop content for the effective application of technology due to specific requirements they have to satisfy. For example, there are documents and artifacts that are valuable in terms of historical and cultural significance, but with little aesthetic or artistic value such as works on paper and documents. It has become challenging to apply 3D technology in making them more attractive to the general public.

The challenge is to research and choose which technology application is suitable for every artifact to maximize application efficiency. Technology is only a tool to convey and enhance the effectiveness of promoting content that is lively and attractive to the public’s eyes. If quality of the content is poor, the application of technology will not guarantee attractiveness from its audience. To make virtual exhibitions interesting, it is not only necessary to invest in synchronous technology, transmission lines, and cooperating costs, but in improving content as well.

The application of digital technology in preserving and promoting cultural heritage in museums and monuments in Viet Nam in general, and the VNMH in particular, has its advantages and disadvantages. The challenges are that digital technology develops rapidly, while the database storage platforms, technical infrastructure (internet network), investment funds, content preparation, documents, and human resources for buildings and operations at the museums are very limited.

The difficulties of the VNMH in applying technology for improved interpretation of exhibitions and collections can be listed as follows:

- Human resource is one of the major difficulties of the VNMH. There is a lack of IT personnel due to persistent staff cuts. Educators, therefore, have to research the content while simultaneously self-learning the necessary IT skills for building software (despite its challenges for older members of the museum staff).

- Limited budget for new applications of technology and good equipment for operation of technology programs. Due to the rapid developments in IT, existing technology easily becomes out-of-date. Updating and upgrading the use of modern technology requires substantial effort, intelligence, and, above all, budget.

- Poor internet connection in general.

To overcome these challenges, it would be ideal that every member of staff apply and update themselves on the latest trends in IT. This should be accompanied by a budgetary allocation in order to train museum staff with these skills, as well as an accompanying allocation of human resources to update the quality of equipment (particularly in choosing a service provider that could guarantee stable internet access).

In order to attract visitors to the VNMH, it is necessary to understand the needs of the public and adjust and innovate accordingly. The application of technology in interpreting museum collections is one of the most important solutions for the VNMH, as it is with other museums in general. The COVID-19 pandemic has made the use of technology more urgent and important than ever. The use of improved and updated technology will not only promote the VNMH during this pandemic, but will guarantee sustainability as we return to the “new normal.