Cultures of Việt Nam’s ethnic groups exhibited on Google platform

Google Arts & Culture has officially launched an exclusive site for Việt Nam called 'Vibrant Vietnam'. Photo courtesy of Google Arts and Culture

HÀ NỘI The online museum platform Google Arts and Culture has officially launched an exclusive site for Việt Nam called Vibrant Vietnam, the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) said.

Vibrant Vietnam offers 31 online exhibitions with over 400 images and dozens of videos in high resolution, on the ethnic groups in Việt Nam.

According to VNAT, the site will help people explore the culture, people and biodiversity of a vibrant Việt Nam – a country which is home to 54 ethnic groups.

Vibrant Vietnam is another effort by Google to honour and promote the natural landscape, cultural heritage and diversity of the Vietnamese ethnic communities, bringing those to a global audience.

Hoàng Quốc Hòa, director of the Tourism Information Centre under VNAT, said that Việt Nam appreciates Google's initiatives to support the promotion of Việt Nam’s values globally through digital platforms, particularly by way of Google Arts and Culture.

"Those initiatives are in line with the current strategic orientation of Việt Nam's tourism industry, which is to promote the application of technology in publicizing the country through images and brands," he said.

“As the division responsible for digital transformation and tourism promotion at VNAT, we hope to continue receiving support and collaboration from Google in implementing creative projects to bring the image of Vietnamese tourism closer to friends and partners worldwide.”

According to a representative of Google Arts and Culture, Vibrant Vietnam is a typical example of how technology bridges cultures, bringing Việt Nam’s rich heritage and beautiful landscapes to a global audience.

'Vibrant Vietnam' is another effort by Google to honour and promote the natural landscape, cultural heritage, and diversity of the Vietnamese ethnic communities to the global audience. Photo courtesy of Google Arts and Culture

This latest initiative is a continuation of Google's long-standing commitment to support and accompany the Vietnamese tourism industry in showcasing its stunning landscapes, majestic natural wonders and unique local culture to international friends.

Previously, Google implemented several promotional projects about Việt Nam such as Google Arts and Culture - Wonders of Vietnam, Google Adventure Vietnam and the tourism promotion campaign entitled Vietnam: Travel to Love! on the YouTube digital platform.

Vibrant Vietnam has been launched with the cooperation with organisations such as the Institute for Social, Economic and Environmental Research (iSEE), the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, the Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum, the Sherman Centre for Culture and Ideas, and the Bát Tràng Ceramic Museum.

There is a virtual journey with five main themes along with a lot of useful information. In the theme of the geographical locations of ethnic groups, viewers will explore the unique distribution of Việt Nam’s diverse ethnic communities through the lens of biodiversity and ethnic groups.

The theme of heritage and community showcases the distinctive cultural traits of Việt Nam’s ethnic communities, while the theme of sustainability of local values focuses on traditional customs and craft villages that are still preserved, such as the ancient indigo dyeing craft.

Notably, in the theme of indigenous medicinal plants, viewers will have the opportunity to delve into the fascinating world of herbs from the Mông ethnic group in Sa Pa. Meanwhile, viewers will admire the grandeur of Việt Nam’s highest mountains and explore the biodiversity of the Tràng An Scenic Landscape Complex, Hoàng Liên National Park and Bạch Mã National Park.

The virtual exhibitions featuring 429 images and 15 videos on the cultures of ethnic groups in Việt Nam can be discovered at artsandculture.google.com/project/vibrant-vietnam-people-places-nature. VNS

Hoàng Liên National Park appears on 'Vibrant Vietnam' site. Photo courtesy of Google Arts and Culture