Digital rebirth: how task-technology fit drive immersion and user engagement in intangible cultural heritage VR, npj Heritage Science, 14 March 2026

Authors: Xuanjia Ren, Xiaoyan Hao, Jinyang Xu & Junping Xu

As an emerging digital media format, virtual reality (VR) technology is rapidly permeating multiple fields, such as education, entertainment, healthcare, and cultural heritage preservation worldwide due to its immersive, interactive, and imaginative characteristics. Within the context of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) dissemination, VR technology can transcend temporal and spatial constraints, enabling users to immerse themselves in the essence of traditional culture as if they were physically present. For instance, the Louvre Museum’s virtual exhibitions in France, the digital recreation of China’s Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, the British Museum’s immersive experiences in the UK, and the virtual reconstruction of Pompeii in Italy. These projects present cultural heritage to modern audiences—particularly younger generations—in vivid, intuitive, and interactive ways highlighting VR technology’s significant advantages and emerging applications in dynamically documenting cultural heritage, enhancing user identity recognition, and boosting gamified engagement.