Hanoi (VNA) – Building a modern, concerted, and efficient data system not only is essential for effective management of culture, tourism and sports but also opens up opportunities for harnessing, promoting, and preserving the country’s cultural values.
In the context of rapid digital transformation, data is becoming an invaluable resource, a "gold mine" for the digital economy. For the sector, data development is crucial. However, the process faces numerous obstacles, requiring viable solutions.
According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, the Vietnam Film Institute currently houses around 80,000 film reels, of them only 600-700 reels digitised annually due to outdated equipment and limited resources. Data storage and management remain manual, as specialised storage systems and modern data management software are not yet in place. Given the current resources, digitising the entire film collection would be a lengthy process.
Meanwhile, regarding heritage data, Dr. Pham Thi Khanh Ngan from the Department of Cultural Heritage noted that the compilation process lacks consistency, sustainability, and connectivity. Furthermore, there is an urgent need to ensure data security when transitioning archives to digital formats.
Ngan suggests establishing a national cultural heritage database to facilitate unified management and to develop policies for training personnel skilled in data analysis, digitisation, and updates.
Echoing this perspective, Do Dinh Hong, Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, said that the ministry’s data system should be comprehensive and harmonised across localities to prevent using multiple incompatible software systems.
From a technology standpoint, Nguyen Van Han, a director of information security solutions at VNPT, said in the short term, identifying vulnerabilities and preventing attacks is crucial, while medium- and long-term strategies should prioritise building human resources and data architecture as well as maintaining awareness.
Similarly, Hoang Nhu Hoa, Vice President of Vietsoftpro, said to maximise the role of cultural heritage database in smart tourism, specific solutions are needed to improve service quality, enrich visitor experiences, and preserve cultural heritage.
Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Pham Duc Long emphasised that data is a critical resource and that the more data an industry possesses, the greater its wealth of resources. Data is essentially limitless and will continue to grow over time.
According to the official, the construction of sector databases should adhere to several principles. Notably, any data already available online should not be redundantly collected. Newly gathered data must be integrated and shareable, and clear guidelines regarding data sharing should be established, determining who can access it and how it should be distributed. The work will help avoid errors, data overlaps, and unnecessary expenditure of time and resources on redundant data collection.
According to Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong, this year, the ministry has undertaken an extensive review of its data, making it harmonious with the national database on public officials and employees.
The official underscored that a modern, integrated database not only enhances management capabilities within the cultural sector but also opens up new opportunities for promoting, harnessing, and preserving the country's cultural heritage.
He added that it also supports the public in accessing and utilising smart, user-friendly sports services, enhancing athlete performance, and advancing smart tourism services that elevate visitor experiences. Such initiatives also serve to promote Vietnam's image on the global stage./.
