Virtual reality tourism - old destinations, new experiences

With virtual reality headsets and supporting tools, visitors can vividly experience tourist destinations in Đồng Nai in the digital space.

Visitors experience virtual reality tourism at the 2025 Dong Nai Culture, Tourism, and Cuisine Week. Photo: Ngọc Lien

According to tourists who have tried virtual reality tourism, with the support of technological devices, they can clearly explore and sense the space of destinations. For many visitors, the virtual reality experience offers a new perspective on familiar places. For those who have never been, it is an exciting and novel experience.

Exploring tourism in the digital space

Virtual reality tourism is a travel trend increasingly favored by visitors, especially the younger generation. This form of tourism uses technology to simulate space and 3D images to create valuable experiences, allowing visitors to feel the destination realistically through technological devices.

Virtual reality tourism helps travelers save time and travel costs, and it is easily accessible. Tourists can “try out” the experience before booking a real trip. In addition, virtual reality tourism reduces impacts on the environment and natural heritage.

Recently, Dong Nai has focused on solutions to promote its image, culture, and people, aiming to boost the growth of the local tourism sector. At tourism and cultural events both within and outside the province, the tourism sector always has a display area showcasing local tourism products, including virtual reality tourism products using 3D/4D technology and virtual tourism models such as: Tran Bien Temple of Literature, Nhon Trach Martyrs’ Temple, Sac Forest War Zone, and more for visitors to explore and experience.

Tran Khanh Thu (resident of Tan Trieu Ward) shared: “Experiencing virtual reality tourism for the first time at the province’s Culture, Tourism, and Cuisine Week held in June 2025, the information about destinations such as the Nhon Trach Tunnels and Dong Nai Museum gave her a deeper understanding of Dong Nai’s cultural and historical values. Through the 3D space, she could vividly picture the landscapes and settings of these destinations. After the experience, she brought her whole family to see it so that everyone could learn about their hometown’s landmarks.

“Due to work, my family doesn’t have many opportunities to travel. Through these technological devices, my children and I learned about new landmarks. They were very excited because they had heard stories about places like the Nhon Trach Tunnels and Nhon Trach Martyrs’ Temple, so when they could see them on the devices, they were thrilled and watched multiple times before leaving,” Thu said.

One Touch, Many Experiences

Having previously visited the Dong Nai Museum and admired the artifacts on display there, Vo Thi Ai Phuong (resident of Hang Gon Ward) still found it enjoyable to explore the museum’s exhibition space in 3D.

Visitors are guided to experience virtual reality tourism at Dong Nai’s tourist destinations.

Phuong shared: The 3D images of the museum were very realistic. What delighted her most about the new experience was the feeling of standing above and looking down at the artifacts. The clear audio guide smoothly led visitors from one artifact to another, from events to historical stories, in a gentle yet impressive way. Phuong hopes that the tourism sector will fully update all destinations in Dong Nai, introducing ethnic minority regions and areas with distinctive cultural values to diversify the content, with more stories for both domestic and international tourists visiting Dong Nai.

Nguyen Hung (from Dak Lak Province) shared: He had visited Dong Nai many times, but this was the first time he experienced Dong Nai tourism in the digital space. After seeing the province’s landmarks in virtual reality tourism, he wanted to visit them in person to explore and experience more.

Hung said: Virtual reality tourism gives visitors an initial impression. Through the information accessed in virtual reality tourism products, viewers become intrigued and want to visit in person. Virtual reality tourism tourism is one of the effective solutions for promoting destinations, creating more equitable opportunities for access within the industry.

Speaking about plans to promote Dong Nai’s tourism products, Tran Thi Thu Trang, Deputy Director of the Provincial Center for Investment, Trade, and Tourism Promotion (under the Office of the Provincial People’s Committee), said: Virtual reality tourism is growing strongly, becoming an effective channel for promoting tourism products. It is now one of the important tools in marketing strategies and modern tourism development. Recognizing these key features, the Center has proactively developed tourism products in the digital space. These will serve as solutions to effectively promote and expand markets, while contributing to digital transformation and sustainable development for Dong Nai’s tourism sector. 

By Ngoc Lien
Translated by Trieu Ngan - Thu Ha