Digitization as Heritage Insurance: Portcoast's 3D Scanning & H-BIM Approach

By sggp.org.vn- 07/04/2025

Digitization – An “Insurance” for Heritage Mr. Trần Tấn Phúc, Chairman of the Board at Portcoast, shared: “Virtual 360 tours and 3D models of displayed artifacts are powerful tools that help audiences experience heritage in an intuitive and engaging way—even when they can’t visit in person. However, these tools cannot replace the need for accurate condition assessments, identifying conservation issues, and determining suitable restoration strategies. In contrast, using 3D laser scanning to develop H-BIM (Historic Building Information Modeling) allows for precise documentation of every detail, making restoration and reconstruction much easier and more faithful to the original structure.”

At the ceremony announcing the recognition of national intangible cultural heritages and the decision to rank historical and cultural relics at the city level in Ho Chi Minh City at the end of March, Portcoast Consultant Corporation officially donated the entire digitalization product of the Municipal Theatre of Ho Chi Minh City to the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Arts. This event attracted significant attention from cultural heritage researchers. In the face of time’s challenges, century-old architectural works require an “insurance” solution that not only preserves them digitally but also allows faithful reconstruction in the event of unforeseen damage.

Not stopping at Virtual 360 solutions and 3D models, Portcoast has applied digital technology through the Heritage Building Information Modeling (H-BIM) methodology to digitize the Municipal Theatre. This is a technology encouraged globally by UNESCO, enabling heritage managers to effectively implement digitization projects while preserving cultural values for humanity.

Accordingly, one of the core tasks within the H-BIM model is the use of 3D laser scanning to capture and reproduce every sculptural motif, uniquely curved roof arch, and relief of two angels with a Lyre—symbols from Greek mythology—as well as time-worn wall layers. Thanks to this, the magnificent space of the Municipal Theatre is precisely preserved, serving conservation efforts and future architectural studies.

Mr. Trần Tấn Phúc, Chairman of the Board of Portcoast, analyzed: “Virtual 360 and 3D models of displayed artifacts are valuable tools that allow viewers to intuitively and vividly experience heritage, even when they cannot visit in person. However, these tools cannot replace condition assessments, identification of conservation issues, and determination of suitable restoration strategies. In contrast, the use of 3D laser scan data to create H-BIM enables precise detailing, making restoration or reconstruction more accurate and true to the original structure.”

In reality, heritage digitization is a growing trend in the 4.0 era; however, more important than modern technology is choosing the right solution to “insure” century- or millennia-old values against the test of time.

Source: sggp.org.vn