During the commemorative days of July, Dong Loc T-Junction and other revolutionary heritage sites across Ha Tinh continue to welcome large numbers of visitors, including students and young travellers. Their growing interest reflects not only gratitude towards previous generations but also the increasing role of digital technology in making history more accessible, engaging and emotionally powerful.
Heritage tourism becomes a highlight of Ha Tinh
In the first six months of 2026, Ha Tinh welcomed more than three million visitors. Dong Loc T-Junction Historical Site alone received approximately 329,500 visitors, remaining one of the province’s most popular cultural and historical destinations.
The year 2026 marks the 79th anniversary of Vietnam’s War Invalids and Martyrs Day and the 58th anniversary of the Dong Loc Victory.
Young people visiting the Dong Loc Junction Historical Site
Between April and October 1968, Dong Loc T-Junction was heavily bombarded because of its strategic position on the transport route connecting Northern Vietnam with the Southern battlefield. Thousands of soldiers, workers and young volunteers remained at the site to clear bombs, repair roads and maintain the flow of essential supplies.
The sacrifice of ten young female volunteers on July 24, 1968, became an enduring symbol of courage, patriotism and dedication to national independence.
When smartphones become keys to the past
Instead of receiving information only through traditional signs or one-way presentations, visitors to Dong Loc T-Junction can now use touchscreens and QR codes to explore the site’s history, memorial structures and stories of the ten female volunteers.
Digital content is presented through images, archival materials and interactive information, allowing visitors to choose the stories they wish to discover. Electronic models, documentary footage and multimedia presentations also help recreate the wartime context, transforming historical facts and statistics into a more immersive emotional experience.
Digital platforms enhance the visitor experience.Digital platforms enhance the visitor experience (Photo: Vietnamnet)
Beyond Dong Loc, Ha Tinh’s tourism sector has been developing 3D and 360-degree virtual experiences for various destinations. These platforms can integrate virtual tours, multilingual audio guides, interactive maps, videos and multimedia content across smartphones, computers and other digital devices.
Technology is therefore no longer simply a supporting tool. It has become a bridge connecting younger generations with historical memories that may otherwise feel distant from their everyday lives.
Gen Z is not indifferent to history
The use of technology does not reduce the solemnity or authenticity of historical sites. Instead, it provides a more familiar language for Gen Z, a generation accustomed to visual communication, short-form videos and interactive experiences.
Many young people in Ha Tinh have also begun producing videos about Dong Loc T-Junction, local historical figures and revolutionary heritage sites for platforms such as TikTok and Facebook. Some creators have produced dozens of videos using only their smartphones, attracting thousands of views, comments and shares.
Young people are not truly indifferent to history
Through these activities, young visitors are no longer passive observers. They are becoming digital cultural ambassadors who interpret and share historical stories through the language of their own generation.
A meaningful visit can therefore continue long after travellers leave the destination. Videos, photographs and personal reflections shared online allow historical memories to reach wider communities and encourage more people to explore Vietnam’s cultural heritage.
A lesson for tourism and hospitality
The transformation taking place at Dong Loc T-Junction demonstrates that technology delivers its greatest value when it does not replace human emotions but helps awaken them.
QR codes, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, digital databases and interactive displays are only truly effective when they support authentic stories, meaningful cultural values and a strong sense of place.
This is also closely connected to the vision of HORECFEX Vietnam: applying technology to enhance visitor experiences and support the sustainable development of the hospitality, food service and tourism industries.
Taking place on August 20-21, 2026, at Ariyana Convention Centre Danang, HORECFEX Vietnam 2026 is expected to welcome more than 4,500 attendees, over 100 exhibition booths, 55 speakers and 40 in-depth discussion sessions.
The event will provide a platform for destinations, hospitality businesses and technology providers to explore emerging solutions in artificial intelligence, data analytics, interactive experiences and smart tourism management.
The future of tourism is not only about bringing travellers to a destination. It is also about encouraging them to stay longer, connect more deeply and continue sharing the destination’s story with the world.