Incorporating digital heritage into Cultural Heritage Law

A piece of digital art inspired by traditional patterns found on heritage sites stands as a testament to this innovative blend. (Photo: Minh Thu/Vietnam+)

Hanoi (VNA) - Experts assert that as Vietnam ventures into cultivating its cultural industry, it is imperative to incorporate the concept of digital heritage explicitly, clearly, and transparently within the draft Cultural Heritage Law (revised).

The draft Cultural Heritage Law (revised) is garnering significant interest from a broad spectrum of organisations and individuals. This legislation extends beyond the preservation of culture, touching upon the rights to enjoy, access, and utilize cultural heritage, as well as individual ownership rights and the freedom to conduct business.

On March 12, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee's Standing Board hosted a Social Criticism Conference on the draft Cultural Heritage Law (revised). The aim was to solicit expert feedback on the proposed legislation.

Professor Dr. Tran Ngoc Duong, head of the Democracy and Law Advisory Council of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, highlighted a critical gap: “The merging of cultural heritage with technology is paving the way for new concepts like digital heritage and derivative heritage. However, these concepts have yet to be codified into laws that establish appropriate legal frameworks, promoting the development of digital products rooted in our heritage.”

At the conference. (Photo: Minh Thu/Vietnam+)

Duong noted that countries with advanced cultural industries have successfully transformed heritage values into commercial products rich in national identity. These efforts are not only culturally appealing within their originating society, but they but also project that national brand globally.

“At this juncture, as Vietnam strives to elevate its cultural industry, it is crucial to define digital heritage and the enhancement of our cultural values precisely in the forthcoming legislation,” Duong emphasized.

Duong suggested that recognising digital heritage as a formal concept within the Cultural Heritage Law, accompanied by regulations on investment and copyright policies, would motivate tech developers to produce highly applicable digital solutions.

This initiative aims to unlock the full potential of cultural heritage in contemporary life.

A project focused on digitizing the image of the Nghe (a mythical lion) exemplifies this initiative. (Photo: Tam Chan)

Dr. Le Thi Minh Ly, Vice Chair of the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association, remarked on the digitization of heritage as a pivotal initiative. The culture sector is firmly advancing this under the government's programme "Digitization of Vietnamese Cultural Heritage in the 2021-2030 period”.

The discussion at the conference also covered regulations concerning the protection and enhancement of cultural heritage values managed by both the state and private entities, alongside rights related to ownership and the trade of antiquities.

Mr. Truong Minh Tien, member of the Hanoi Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee's Religious Advisory Council, brought attention to the complexities of cultural heritage ownership, encompassing collective and individual rights.

Experts offer their insights at the conference. (Photo: Vietnam+)

Tien also advocated for stricter management regarding the determination of ownership and the trade of antiquities, a move that could significantly reduce artifact and antique theft at heritage sites./.