Ms. Nguyen Thi Kieu, Vice Chairman of Can Tho Union of Science and Technology Associations, emphasized that the role of Science and Technology (S&T) and innovation has been affirmed in the Party's 13th National Congress document and is evident throughout the objectives of the National Action Plan, serving as a key tool in achieving sustainable development goals. S&T plays a crucial role in all aspects of social life, including culture and society. The current S&T revolution is happening vigorously, impacting every country and nation, with the gap between invention and application narrowing.

Assoc Prof. Dr. Dao Ngoc Canh from Nam Can Tho University believes that the breakthrough speed of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which has no historical precedent, will bring about fundamental transformations in the entire production, management, and operation systems. In the field of culture and society, S&T also exerts a significant influence, evident in aspects such as enhancing access to information, creating an environment and conditions for the formation and development of social learning, fostering positive and democratic changes in social life, transforming cultural thinking and creative methods, and establishing a cultural industry…

These aspects are vividly demonstrated in the cultural and social life of Can Tho City, a central locality in the Mekong Delta. Particularly in the tourism sector, Can Tho City aims to develop it into a key economic industry, with a focus on digital transformation and technology application. Mr. Nguyen Du Ha Long, from Nam Can Tho University, emphasizes the abundant potential for tourism development in Can Tho City, with its distinct cultural features of rivers and water, traditional festivals, handicraft villages, historical-cultural sites, fruit gardens, etc. In 2022, the total number of tourists visiting Can Tho reached over 5.13 million, with nearly 2.51 million accommodated by hospitality businesses, generating a total tourism revenue of approximately 4,117 billion VND. In 2023, the tourism industry of the city aims to welcome 5.2 million visitors, with a total tourism revenue target of 4,580 billion VND.

Mr. Nguyen Du Ha Long proposes solutions for the digital transformation of Can Tho's tourism industry in the near future. For instance, implementing electronic payments through QR Codes, promoting tourism through digital platforms such as websites and social media, and adopting tourism business management software. The current tourism trend is closely linked to social media, making digital transformation and increasing tourism promotion on social platforms essential. The Tourism Development Center of Can Tho City has been performing well in this aspect, achieving effective results through Facebook, Zalo, and the Can Tho Tourism website.

However, Mr. Nguyen Du Ha Long also points out the difficulties in the digital transformation of the tourism industry. These challenges include resource shortages, including financial, technological, and human resources. The digital transformation in tourism is not yet synchronized among different localities, lacking interconnected and comprehensive databases. Traditional business practices in tourism, such as direct cash transactions for products and specialties, present obstacles due to ingrained habits. Changing the habits of those involved in the tourism industry is not an easy task.

Discussing the impact of S&T on the culture and society of Can Tho City, Dr. Tran Huu Hop from the Social Sciences and Humanities Association of Can Tho City highlights the fascinating aspect of applying information technology and communication in the field of religion, contributing to the development of tourism in Can Tho. According to statistics, Can Tho City has 13 religions (compared to 16 religions in the country), 27 religious’ organizations, and affiliated groups (compared to the country's 42), with the followers accounting for 41% of the city's population. Can Tho is also home to 77 religious sites, such as spiritual shrines, temples, shrines dedicated to different beliefs, Chinese cemeteries, and the Lang Ca Ong. These abundant resources serve as a basis for developing religious tourism or the broader concept of spiritual tourism. Over time, Can Tho has made significant progress in this type of tourism, with notable examples being Binh Thuy Temple, Ong Pagoda (Ninh Kieu Wharf), Gian Gua, Truc Lam Phuong Nam Zen Monastery (Phong Dien district), especially the Khmer pagodas in Ninh Kieu and O Mon districts during traditional festivals of the Southern Khmer community.

Dr. Tran Huu Hop proposes that the utilization of information technology and communication in the field of religion should serve the development of tourism in Can Tho City in an effective manner. Firstly, it is essential to establish a list of religious and spiritual establishments with tourism potential. Currently, this task is often carried out by travel companies based on the preferences of tourists, which may lack accuracy. Connecting religious information with tourism information is also crucial. Constructing a database of spiritual tourism in Can Tho City and establishing a mobile device system to provide information for tourists are steps that need to be taken.

Smart tourism is an INEVITABLE trend in the present and future, and Can Tho's tourism should not lag behind in this regard. To develop smart tourism, Science and Technology form the fundamental and essential foundation. With this understanding, Can Tho's tourism is expected to keep pace with the 4.0 trend.