Visitors explore the Old Quarter of Hội An. The UNESCO-recognised world heritage site has introduced a smart camera and data system to provide better management and early warnings for disasters. VNS Photo Công Thành

Director of the Hội An City’s Information and Culture Centre, Trương Thị Ngọc Cẩm said the camera system, which was jointly funded and developed by Western Digital, Hanwha and Atoma, was installed at seven sites in the Old Quarter that are vulnerable to flooding.

She said the town plans to expand the CCTV system to better supervise areas and provide safety for visitors and local residents while boosting digital applications in ticket collection and tourism management.

Hội An has been compiling a dossier to seek recognition as a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in terms of craft and folk art.

A smart camera is installed at the Hoài River Square in Hội An ancient town. The camera system will help support management in dealing with violations in public and keeping tourists safe. Photo courtesy of Sơn Ca

The tourism hub has been using solar power systems for public lighting, lanterns, folk performances, the Japanese Bridge and its public loudspeaker system since 2013, while pedestrian zones were expanded in the Old Quarter. Battery-power cars and non-plastic bags have also been promoted.

The town hosts around 10,000 visitors per day, but the number has hit up to 30,000 on national holidays and weekends, the city reported.

A tourist scans a QR code at the Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary in Quảng Nam Province. The site has launched an automatic Audio Guide system for visitors. Photo courtesy of Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary Management Board

Meanwhile, another UNESCO-recognised world heritage site in Quảng Nam – the Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary – has launched a multi-language Audio Guide, providing an automatic introduction in Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, English and French at 40 sites that people can access with their smartphones.

QR codes are provided at 40 destinations in the sanctuary to support tourists exploring the Chăm tower system. 

The destination expects to receive 300,000 tourists in 2023. — VNS