From quiet space to cultural meeting place

Innovating experiences, connecting communities

Instead of focusing solely on preserving and displaying artifacts, many museums have proactively organized diverse art programs to interact with the public. For example, cooperation with event organizers has opened a new direction for the Hanoi Museum to turn the museum space into a regular art meeting place, contributing to the development of the capital's cultural industry.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Da - Director of Hanoi Museum said, "True Love Seasons" with the participation of famous singers such as My Linh, Trong Tan... is the first program that the museum cooperates with other parties to implement, and will be implemented regularly to create an artistic brand. These activities create more cultural and artistic space in the spirit of creativity for the museum.

Outdoor concert with the theme “Summer Melody” in the garden area of ​​the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum. Photo: BTCC

Also following the innovation direction, the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum has organized concerts combining fine arts, turning the exhibition space into a place where music and visual arts intersect. The museum has coordinated with the Vietnam Symphony Orchestra and academic music artists to perform the program "When music blends with fine arts" with free outdoor concerts on the last Sunday afternoon of each month, attracting an increasing number of audiences. In particular, the program "Four Seasons Melody" every quarter has become a unique musical event of the capital.

From these creative activities, the number of visitors to the museum has increased rapidly, especially the young group, contributing to creating a more vibrant and public-friendly art space. In the world, many museums have successfully opened their doors to the public with art programs, becoming cultural destinations through concerts, art performances, and fashion shows right in the museum's exhibition spaces.

Mr. Nguyen Anh Minh - Director of the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum shared: "We want to turn the museum into not only a quiet exhibition space but also a cultural exchange space, where the public can experience art in the most intimate and vivid way."

Not only stopping at performing contemporary art, museums also focus on connecting heritage with the community through many traditional cultural experiences. The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology regularly organizes folk art performances and reenactments of traditional festivals to help visitors gain a deeper understanding of Vietnamese cultural identity.

Meanwhile, the Ao Dai Museum (Ho Chi Minh City) impressed with its introduction and performance of folk songs such as Quan Ho, Vi Giam, and Don Ca Tai Tu - representative intangible cultural heritages of humanity.

These diverse activities not only help the museum attract visitors but also affirm the museum's role as a cultural center connecting the community, inspiring creativity and preserving heritage values.

Applying technology, changing the appearance

The development of digital technology has enabled museums to innovate their approach to the public. Thanks to the application of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and 3D projection techniques, museums are no longer simply places to display artifacts but have become vivid and engaging experiential spaces.

Recently, the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum has implemented many technology application projects to help visitors interact with works of art and discover the stories behind the artifacts through smart applications. According to statistics, after applying new technology, the number of online visitors to the museum has increased by more than 50% compared to before.

The Vietnam National Museum of History is also one of the pioneers in digitizing data on artifacts. To date, the museum has digitized more than 30,000 important documents and artifacts, making it easy for the public to access information via an online platform. In addition, virtual exhibitions are also organized to bring real-life experiences to visitors without having to visit the site.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Huy - former Director of the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, commented: "Applying technology not only helps museums expand their reach to the public but also creates vivid experiences, promoting interaction and discovery in a more creative way. This is an inevitable trend for museums to attract visitors, especially the younger generation."

In addition, museums also actively organize exchange programs and art workshops, bringing creative space and inspiration to the public. For example, the Vietnam Women's Museum has organized many Ao Dai performances and painting workshops, helping visitors not only admire but also directly experience and learn about Vietnamese culture in a vivid way.

The transformation of Vietnamese museums from quiet spaces to dynamic cultural centers not only helps attract tourists but also strengthens community connections and promotes the value of cultural heritage. According to Dr. Le Thi Minh Ly - Vice President of the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association, museums are not only within four walls but must "extend their arms" to the community through creative artistic activities, technology application and innovative approaches.

Experts also believe that museums need to continue investing in content quality, ensuring high educational and cultural values, contributing to making museums attractive destinations with strong influence in the community.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/tu-khong-gian-tinh-den-diem-hen-van-hoa-20250328105137765.htm