From century-old European “dynasties” to Asia’s leading fireworks powerhouses, alongside top-ranked teams from previous editions, the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival 2026 (DIFF 2026) promises to deliver one of the most dramatic and competitive seasons in the festival’s history.
On May 30, 2026, the opening night of DIFF 2026 will officially begin with a spectacular showdown between Da Nang (Vietnam) and China. According to the Organizing Committee, tickets for the opening night are already becoming extremely “hot”, with the official online ticketing platform (diff.vn) continuously receiving bookings from travel agencies and visitors from both Vietnam and abroad.
Many experts are calling DIFF 2026 a true “All-Star season” of the global fireworks industry, gathering championship-winning teams, century-old legends, and internationally acclaimed competitors with impressive records on the world stage. DIFF 2026 has also further elevated its regional and international reputation after being named among the Top 9 Festivals Worth Experiencing on the Planet by the world-renowned travel magazine Travel + Leisure.
DIFF has recently been selected by leading travel magazine Travel + Leisure as one of the Top 9 Festivals Worth Experiencing on the Planet.
Vietnam vs. China – Hosts Face the Defending Champions on “Nature” Night
The opening night of DIFF 2026 promises an explosive start with the battle between host team Da Nang – Vietnam and Jiangxi Yangfeng Art Display Co., Ltd from China.
Returning to DIFF after winning the championship in 2025, the Chinese team will present “Flower of the Orient” — a performance inspired by the traditional Chinese folk song Jasmine Flower, blending high-quality smokeless fireworks with melodies deeply rooted in Eastern cultural identity. Renowned for elegant lighting effects and the ability to “paint” movements across the sky, the Chinese team is expected to recreate the poetic beauty of Eastern nature in a highly artistic way.
The clash between Da Nang (Vietnam) and Jiangxi Yangfeng Art Display Co., Ltd from China on opening night is expected to deliver many surprises.
Meanwhile, Team Da Nang remains an unpredictable contender thanks to its home-ground advantage and strong ability to connect emotionally with local audiences. Under the theme “Nature”, the competition will not only showcase technical excellence, but also become a storytelling performance about the relationship between humanity and the natural world.
France vs. Z121 Vietnam – A “Heritage” Night Layered with Cultural Depth
The second competition night, themed “Heritage”, will feature a confrontation between Lux Factory POK 2.0 from France and Z121 Vina Pyrotech (Vietnam) — runner-up of DIFF 2025.
The French team is well known for cinematic fireworks performances and poetic visual storytelling. Their show, “Heritage – Da Nang Shines”, narrates the story of cultural intersections throughout history — where civilizations do not replace one another, but instead overlap and coexist to create new identities.
Notably, the French team recently won the Gold Jupiter Award at the Montreal International Fireworks Competition 2025, one of the world’s most prestigious fireworks events, making them one of the strongest contenders for the DIFF 2026 championship.
Meanwhile, Z121 Vina Pyrotech is expected to bring a modern perspective on Vietnamese heritage, combining the experience gained from last season’s runner-up finish with refined pyrotechnic techniques and a strong understanding of local culture.
Japan vs. Italy – The Ultimate Clash on “Culture” Night
Perhaps no competition night embodies the true spirit of an “All-Star” season more than the showdown between Japan and Italy under the theme “Culture”. On one side stands the refined minimalism of Japan, while on the other is the grand cinematic style of Italy — a confrontation many consider the “early final” of DIFF 2026.
Tamaya Kitahara Fireworks from Japan represents the traditional art of Hanabi, featuring perfectly symmetrical “wari-mono” shells, iconic Kamuro effects, and delicate color transitions characteristic of Japanese fireworks artistry. In classical Japanese, “Kamuro” refers to the traditional hairstyle of children with long straight bangs, resembling the cascading trails of golden fireworks. Kamuro fireworks create shimmering golden streams that gracefully descend like glowing willow trees across the night sky.
Meanwhile, Martarello Group S.L.R from Italy remains a “living legend” of DIFF after winning back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018. Their performance, “Echoes Becoming Future”, continues to showcase the cinematic storytelling style through fireworks that has defined the Martarello legacy for more than a century.
Germany vs. Macau (China) – A Technological Battle on “Creativity” Night
The fourth competition night, themed “Creativity”, will push the boundaries of fireworks technology to new heights through the fusion of European innovation and visually explosive Asian artistry.
Steffes-Ollig Feuerwerke GmbH & Co. KG from Germany boasts a history spanning more than 150 years and is renowned for combining cutting-edge technology with traditional fireworks craftsmanship. Their performance, “PYROGRAPHICS”, will transform Da Nang’s sky into a “living painting”, where every effect is synchronized precisely with music like strokes of light across a giant canvas.
Their opponent, Apple Pyrotechnics Co., Ltd. from Macau (China), will present “Celestial Journey to the West”, inspired by the legendary Chinese novel Journey to the West. The Macau team is regarded as one of Asia’s fireworks giants thanks to its experience delivering large-scale national events and expertise in water-based pyrotechnic displays.
Australia vs. Portugal – Closing the Qualifiers with “Visions” Beyond the Horizon
The final qualifying night, themed “Visions”, will feature a battle between Skylighter Fireworks Pty Ltd from Australia and Macedos Pirotecnia Lda from Portugal.
The Australian team will bring an explosive musical journey featuring songs from world-famous artists such as Coldplay, Bon Jovi, and Avicii, telling stories of ambition, progress, and the courage to surpass limitations.
Meanwhile, Macedos Pirotecnia — a Portuguese fireworks brand with more than 90 years of history — returns to DIFF after winning the “Most Creative” award in the 2025 season. Their performance is designed as a “manifesto of vision”, where light becomes a symbol of aspiration, connection, and the guidance toward the future.
Beyond gathering teams with rich traditions, DIFF 2026 also reflects the powerful evolution of global fireworks artistry: fireworks are no longer simply technical displays, but are increasingly becoming immersive forms of multisensory storytelling through music, technology, and emotion.
And for audiences gathering along the Han River this summer, DIFF 2026 may be far more than just a fireworks festival — it may become a rare opportunity to witness the world’s finest light artistry converge in one unforgettable “All-Star” season.
DA NANG TOURISM PROMOTION CENTER
