Safeguarding Vietnamese Traditional Musical Instruments in the Digital Era: A Cultural Management Perspective
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E9/2026-11Keywords:
traditional musical instruments, cultural management, intangible cultural heritage, digital transformation, digital safeguarding, heritage governance, VietnamAbstract
Safeguarding Vietnamese traditional musical instruments in the digital era requires management of more than physical objects or isolated digital files; the relevant unit is a living heritage ecosystem comprising instruments, sound, skills, knowledge, context, and communities of practice. Objective: This study examines how digital technologies can support the safeguarding of Vietnamese traditional musical instruments and develops a cultural management framework for linking digital resources with living heritage continuity. Methods: A structured narrative review was combined with policy analysis. The analytical corpus comprised 42 bibliographically verified sources: 36 journal articles, 2 conference/book chapters focused directly on Vietnamese traditional instruments, 3 Vietnamese legal or policy documents, and 1 international normative instrument. Sources were synthesised according to the safeguarding object, digital function, community role, governance issue, and continuity outcome. Results: Four recurring management tensions were identified: data richness but contextual poverty; open access but weak rights control; engaging experiences but reduced authenticity; and wider reach without guaranteed transmission. The study proposes a 5C framework comprising Community, Context, Connectivity, Control, and Continuity. Conclusion: The 5C framework shifts evaluation from the quantity of digital files to the quality of relationships among data, heritage bearers, context, rights, and practice. It provides a basis for database management, interpretation, education, access governance, and the assessment of safeguarding outcomes in Vietnam.
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