Objectives: With the continued advancement of globalization, exchanges between different cultures have become increasingly frequent, and cross-cultural communication has become an important bridge connecting various cultural groups. In this process, traditional methods of cultural exchange are constrained by cultural differences, language barriers, and geographic distance, which prevent them from offering a comprehensive and in-depth cultural experience. With advancements in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and other technologies, immersive virtual interactive video art provides a novel approach to cross-cultural communication, breaking down physical boundaries and allowing users to directly participate in and experience scenes from different cultures, thereby deepening their understanding and knowledge of other cultures. This paper explores how immersive virtual interactive video art plays a unique role in cross-cultural communication, analyzing its mechanisms and effectiveness in promoting communication and understanding between different cultures. Methods: This study employs a combination of qualitative (in-depth interviews), quantitative research, and case study methods to analyze the immersive virtual interactive video works Sino-Japanese War VR and Dunhuang Flying VR. The former recreates the Sino-Japanese War, utilizing virtual reality technology to immerse users in the scene, with profound historical value and significance for cultural exchange between China and Japan. The latter presents the art of Dunhuang Flying Frescoes, showcasing the unique charm of Chinese traditional art. The representativeness and typical application of virtual reality technology in these two works highlight their potential in different historical and cultural contexts. This study conducted individual in-depth interviews with 15 students and faculty members from a university to gather their perceptions and feedback after experiencing immersive virtual interactive media. The participants included two history scholars, ten graduate students in cultural communication, and three art professors with diverse disciplinary backgrounds. The interviews focused on the use of virtual reality technology in historical and cultural communication, how virtual works enhance the understanding of historical events or cultural arts, and their potential to promote cross-cultural emotional resonance and identity. Interview questions included: “Did you feel immersed while watching the Battle of the First Sino-Japanese War VR? Please describe the feeling,” “How did your understanding of the Sino-Japanese naval battle change?” and “Did you gain more information or emotional response when interacting with the virtual elements?”. The interview data were categorized using categorical analysis. Participants’ responses were grouped into categories such as “historical cognitive change,” “emotional resonance,” and “cultural understanding and identity,” and the information in each category was summarized and analyzed. Combined with quantitative data analysis, changes in participants’ cultural perceptions before and after the experience were quantitatively assessed. Informed consent was obtained from all participants, and strict privacy measures were taken to ensure that personal information and interviews were treated anonymously in accordance with ethical norms. Results: Through a combination of quantitative analysis and in-depth interviews, this study found that immersive virtual interactive video art significantly enhanced participants’ cultural awareness and emotional resonance. Specifically, after experiencing Sino-Japanese War VR, participants’ cultural cognition scores increased significantly (p < 0.05). A t-test revealed a mean difference of 3.2 points with a standard deviation of 1.8, a t-value of 3.52, a degree of freedom of 5, and a p-value of 0.01. Since the p-value is less than 0.05, it can be concluded that the virtual reality experience significantly increased participants’ cognitive and emotional responses to the historical events of the Sino-Japanese War. Additionally, some differences were found in how participants from different cultural backgrounds responded to the virtual interactive media. For example, history scholars were more concerned with historical accuracy, while art scholars focused more on the presentation of art forms and cultural expression. These findings suggest that the effectiveness of immersive virtual interactive video art in cross-cultural communication is diverse and may be influenced by respondents’ individual backgrounds. Conclusions: This paper draws several important conclusions based on the study of two virtual interactive video works. First, immersive virtual reality technology significantly enhances audience participation and emotional resonance compared to traditional methods of cultural communication. Through the immersive experience, the audience shifts from being an observer to becoming a participant, not only “seeing” history and culture but also “experiencing” them, which deepens understanding and fosters recognition. Virtual reality enhances cultural understanding and emotional connection through multi-sensory experiences and interactive engagement. Additionally, personal backgrounds have varying impacts on the effectiveness of immersive virtual interactive media in cross-cultural communication. This study demonstrates that immersive virtual interactive video art enriches cultural communication through virtual reality and provides new perspectives and methods for cross-cultural interaction. By enhancing audience engagement and emotional resonance, virtual reality effectively promotes cultural understanding and integration. As technology advances, virtual reality will play a crucial role in cultural communication, fostering the understanding and appreciation of global cultural diversity. In the future, immersive virtual interactive video art is expected to become a key tool for cross-cultural communication, opening new avenues for global cultural exchange.