The project was implemented by Google Arts & Culture in partnership with Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), local tourism boards from Da Nang, Quang Nam, Thua Thien Hue and Quang Binh and National Geographic award-winning photographer Tran Tuan Viet.
Featuring 35 stories and over 1,300 sumptuous photos of iconic sites, historical heritage, nature, cuisine and culture, the project is a unique way for hungry travellers to virtually explore via https://artsandculture.google.com/project/wonders-of-vietnam./.
Through the project, viewers can dive into the world’s largest cave of Son Doong, learn about Vietnamese culture, such as royal court music, or Nha Nhac, learn about the Hoi An Lantern Festival, and sightsee accompanied by a soundtrack.
While highly lauding Google for the initiative, VNAT's General Director Nguyen Trung Khanh hailed it as a wonderful idea and a colourful window opening up the colours of both culture and the arts of Vietnam in a fresh and interesting way.
According to Amit Sood, Director of Google Arts & Culture, at a time when the tourism industry is badly affected by COVID-19 pandemic-related travel restrictions, the project aims to help Vietnam’s wonders reach the world so that more people can experience the nation’s beauty.
Showcasing Vietnam’s beauty on a digital platform also helps maintain tourists’ trust and interest in travelling to the country, he added.
