On the evening of May 30, the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival – DIFF 2026, jointly organised by the Da Nang People’s Committee and Sun Group, officially opened amid an emotional atmosphere shared by tens of thousands of spectators following a spectacular showdown between Team Da Nang (Vietnam) and reigning champion China.
Under the theme “Nature”, the opening night of DIFF 2026 officially launched a six-night fireworks season running from May 30 to July 11, 2026. Through the performances of host team Da Nang (Vietnam) and reigning champion China, the Han River sky was transformed into a vivid portrait of life, the beauty of the green planet and the aspiration to reconnect people with nature, leading audiences into an emotional journey of light, music and art.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Manh Hung, Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee, said: “DIFF 2026, under the theme ‘Da Nang – United Horizons’, reflects the city’s aspiration to present itself as a dynamic destination where culture, tourism, creativity and international cooperation converge.”
He also expressed pride as DIFF was selected by renowned travel magazine Travel + Leisure as one of the world’s top 9 must-experience summer festivals. “This is recognition from the international community for the appeal, scale, artistry and influence of an event carrying a Vietnamese brand,” Mr. Hung emphasised.
The city also acknowledged the efforts of Sun Group and its partners in accompanying and supporting Da Nang in successfully organising the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival over the years, while contributing to the development of high-quality tourism and cultural works and products that have helped reshape the city’s landscape and elevate Da Nang’s tourism profile.
After nearly two decades, DIFF, with Sun Group continuing as sponsor and co-organiser, has shown no signs of losing its appeal as the entire grandstand with more than 10,000 seats was filled, while roads along the Han River and surrounding bridges were also packed with spectators. After a year of anticipation, both locals and visitors once again witnessed the Han River skyline illuminated by thousands of dazzling fireworks blooms.
Da Nang shines on home turf as reigning champion China shows formidable power
A signature highlight of every DIFF season, the fireworks performances on opening night once again showcased international-class artistry. While both teams explored the theme “Nature”, each chose a completely different storytelling approach across the Da Nang sky.
Team Da Nang opened with a story celebrating the beauty of Vietnam’s natural landscapes, from flourishing heritage regions to messages about environmental protection and a greener future. The fireworks shifted continuously in colour and rhythm, alternating between grand visual sequences and emotional pauses, guiding audiences from admiration for nature’s beauty to reflection on the responsibility of preserving the green planet.
The combination of increasingly refined techniques, innovation and emotional depth helped Team Da Nang deliver what many considered one of its most distinctive performances in recent years.
“I’ve watched DIFF for many years, but I’m truly impressed by the transformation of Team Da Nang this year. The performance carried an emotional storyline and much stronger techniques. I’m placing my hopes on the home team reaching the final for the first time in history,” said Hoang Minh, a visitor from Ho Chi Minh City.
Meanwhile, Team China once again demonstrated the calibre of a reigning champion with its performance “Flower of the Orient”. Team China highlighted its strengths in staging techniques, top-tier synchronisation between fireworks and music, as well as high-quality smokeless fireworks effects. Spectators were delighted by a series of highly sophisticated fireworks effects, with pyrotechnic displays forming striking images such as bamboo and rice stalks. Layers of fireworks moved fluidly and densely across the sky, constantly transforming in shape and colour, turning the Han River into a mesmerising Oriental painting.
Notably, the inclusion of the song “Viet Nam Tinh Hoa” created a memorable highlight. The familiar Vietnamese melody resonated like a warm greeting from the competing team. The performance received enthusiastic applause from spectators and became one of the first standout moments of DIFF 2026.
An artistic spectacle on the largest stage in DIFF history
“I believe there are very few fireworks festivals organised as professionally as DIFF. Even the world-famous Montreal fireworks festival does not feature a grandstand system or performance stage on the scale of Da Nang,” said Ms. Nadia Shakira Wong, CEO of Global2000, one of the world’s leading fireworks consulting companies.
DIFF is among the few festivals in Vietnam and the region that continues to raise the bar in both infrastructure scale and audience experience. This year marks the first time the DIFF stage has featured a giant mechanical dome system measuring more than 40 metres wide and 10 metres high, considered the largest in the festival’s history. The stage was also integrated with modern technologies including high-powered lasers, 3D LED matrix systems, Retro Amber lighting and multi-layer transparent LED systems, enabling the opening-night performances to fully realise their artistic vision.
Opening with “Colors of the Wind”, singers Hoang Hai and Ha Nhi, alongside hundreds of dancers, transported audiences into a magical world inspired by nature. The artistic journey continued with “Cuoi ngua ve troi”, performed by Nguyen Tran Trung Quan, recreating the image of a national hero as a symbol of strength, aspiration and Vietnam’s spirit of progress in a new era.
The programme reached its climax with the appearance of Ho Ngoc Ha and her dance troupe in the medley “Destiny – Cay den than – Hung dong”, energising the grandstand with explosive contemporary spirit. Notably, ahead of Team China’s performance, the famous song “The Moon Represents My Heart”, accompanied by an elaborately choreographed Chinese dance act, brought captivating Oriental colours to the stage, creating an artistic bridge connecting cultures.
Against the backdrop of a stage equipped with moving mechanical domes, LED systems, lasers and multi-layer lighting, the performances continuously transformed the visual space, creating a spectacular feast where music, art and fireworks blended into a complete festival experience by the Han River.
This year, DIFF is not only expanding the on-stage experience, but also, for the first time, offering audiences personalised “digital gifts” powered by artificial intelligence (AI) through the Sun Paradise Land application. With just a few simple steps, visitors can transform their fireworks moments into vintage-style postage stamps or create electronic postcards to send to loved ones. These new experiences not only extend the emotions after the performances but also allow each audience member to take home a uniquely personal memory of DIFF 2026.
| Following the opening night, the remaining competition nights will take place every Saturday evening. wa June 6 (Heritage): France – Z121 Vina Pyrotech, Vietnam June 13 (Culture): Japan – Italy June 20 (Creative): Germany – Macau (China) June 27 (Vision): Australia – Portugal July 11: Finale night Tickets for DIFF 2026 are available online via the organiser’s official website system. The grandstand is divided into six seating categories, with different ticket prices applied for qualifying nights and special nights including the opening and final. |
DANANG TOURISM PROMOTION CENTER
