Promoting Xoan Singing Through Digital Technology

In recent years, Phu Tho province has actively applied digital technology to preserve and promote Xoan singing—a Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity recognized by UNESCO. Digital solutions have significantly contributed to spreading this traditional art form beyond local boundaries to various regions across the country.

Students learning about digitized Xoan singing information via QR codes at the Hung Vuong Museum.

A prime example is Vinh Phu Secondary School, which successfully implemented the project "Applying Digital Technology to Preserve and Promote Phu Tho Xoan Singing." The initiative encourages students to apply their classroom knowledge to raise awareness and foster a passion for heritage preservation. To reach a wider audience, the research group utilized platforms such as YouTube and Zalo. Specifically, the school’s YouTube channel hosts exchange sessions with Xoan clubs from distant schools, overcoming geographical barriers. A creative and effective method involved livestreaming performances onto large screens, which not only enhanced the viewing experience but also brought Xoan singing closer to those who have not yet had the chance to visit Phu Tho.

Digital applications have allowed Xoan singing to resonate further and spread more powerfully. Beyond school-level creativity, the preservation process has established a systematic, high-quality database of digital equipment and electronic learning materials. This caters to the needs of Xoan enthusiasts and those who cherish national culture.

Phu Tho has conducted extensive research to digitize documents, artifacts, audio recordings, images, and videos, creating a national digital database for this heritage. Promotion on cyberspace via social media and official provincial websites has helped broadcast the values of Xoan singing globally. Furthermore, schools are developing digital curriculum and tools specifically for teaching Xoan. The province is also exploring high-tech tourism products, including Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), to provide tourists with more vivid experiences. Local media agencies have actively used mass communication to highlight the humanistic values of Xoan, enhancing community responsibility in preservation.

Digital technology is considered an effective solution to mitigate the risk of this traditional art form fading away. It bridges the gap between heritage and the younger generation, as well as international friends, in an era of deep integration where a “green economy” is the primary driver for promoting cultural values in the Ancestral Land.

Quoc Hoi