On the evening of July 11, the Grand Finale of the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF 2026), organized by the Da Nang City People’s Committee in partnership with Sun Group under the theme “Connected Horizons”, officially concluded with victory going to Macedos Pirotecnia from Portugal.
Taking place throughout nearly two months of summer, DIFF 2026 once again affirmed its stature as one of the world’s nine must-experience festivals, serving as a powerful magnet that drew tens of thousands of visitors to the city by the Han River on every competition night.
A breathtaking battle between two fireworks powerhouses
“A true grand finale of world fireworks artistry” was the shared impression of many spectators after more than 40 minutes of spectacular performances by China and Portugal.
Having reached the DIFF finale for three consecutive years, Jiangxi Yangfeng Art Display Co., Ltd. from China delivered a truly captivating performance. Set to a soundtrack of 10 well-known songs, including three Vietnamese songs, the Chinese team led audiences on a journey to discover a youthful and vibrant Da Nang through the language of light and music.
With continuously shifting layers of fireworks, multi-level firing techniques, and the image of a bridge — a symbol of Da Nang — appearing across the night sky, the performance created a distinctive highlight and beautifully conveyed the spirit of connection in line with the festival’s theme, “Connected Horizons”.
On the other side, Macedos Pirotecnia from Portugal once again proved why it is regarded as one of Europe’s leading fireworks companies. Continuing the narrative from its qualifying performance, the Portuguese team told the story of a Da Nang where nature, culture, and innovation converge.
Their strength in storytelling through fireworks was showcased throughout emotional sequences, seamlessly blending music and light to take audiences from reflective moments to an explosive finale. Portugal held the audience’s attention with a wide range of unique effects, from cascades of light, comets, spherical shells, candles, fountains, and signature effects flowing one after another, creating a deeply moving visual masterpiece.
With both teams proving equally outstanding, many spectators — and even the judging panel — wished there could be two first prizes this season. After extremely difficult deliberations, the Organizing Committee announced Macedos Pirotecnia from Portugal as the official Champion of DIFF 2026, receiving a prize worth USD 20,000. Jiangxi Yangfeng from China won the runner-up title, receiving a prize worth USD 10,000.
The results were based on a judging criteria system covering originality, design concept and adaptability to the performance theme; diversity and richness of effects and color intensity; synchronization between music and fireworks; the finale and overall impression of the performance; as well as the emotions and evaluation of the judging panel.
A grand artistic program on the largest dome stage in DIFF history
Equally impressive as the two world-class fireworks performances was the meticulously staged artistic program, held on the largest dome stage in DIFF history and featuring some of Vietnam’s leading artists.
The DIFF Grand Finale witnessed the public debut of two new musical works. Opening the program was the majestic stage performance of “Mẹ Rồng Tiên”, a new composition by musician Ho Hoai Anh and performed by singer Thu Hang. The song took audiences back to the nation’s origins, evoking pride in the legendary descendants of the Fairy and the Dragon, the power of unity, and the enduring values that have shaped Vietnamese identity across generations.
Another newly introduced work was “Bay Về Phía Mặt Trời” by musician Do Hoang Long, performed by divo Tung Duong.
The return of My Tam — a beloved daughter of Da Nang — became one of the most anticipated moments of the grand finale. With “See The Light”, a song she composed herself, the singer delivered a message of belief, hope, and the aspiration to reach new horizons.
Meanwhile, Tung Duong once again affirmed his artistic stature with two performances, including “Golden”, featuring an impressive duet with Bui Lan Huong. Together, they guided audiences through a wide range of emotions with powerful and expressive vocals.
The finale also featured youthful energy from Isaac with a medley of “Bài Ca Tôm Cá” and “Bống Bống Bang Bang”, using music to bring audiences back to the familiar and peaceful images of coastal fishing villages in Central Vietnam. Bui Lan Huong, meanwhile, delivered an outstanding rendition of the classic “Feeling Good”, turning the DIFF 2026 Grand Finale stage into an emotional journey that was both visually and musically captivating.
DIFF 2026: From one of the world’s top nine must-experience festivals to a catalyst for Da Nang’s tourism sector
DIFF 2026 was not only the finale of a fireworks competition, but also the closing chapter of one of the most successful festival seasons in the event’s history.
Over more than two months, hundreds of thousands of visitors came to Da Nang to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere. Every competition night saw full stands, with tickets sold out early, while riverside streets along the Han River, bridges, and cruise boats were packed with spectators enjoying the fireworks.
Before the finale, across the five qualifying nights held on May 30, June 6, June 13, June 20, and June 27, the city recorded more than 557,000 tourist arrivals staying at accommodation establishments, an increase of 34% compared to the same period last year. Each fireworks night welcomed over 100,000 overnight visitors, with the fifth competition night on June 27 reaching around 117,400, the highest figure of the season.
Notably, this year, DIFF was named by Travel + Leisure among the Top 9 must-experience festivals in the world, making it the only representative from Vietnam to appear on this prestigious list. This achievement marks a new milestone for a festival that Da Nang and Sun Group have consistently invested in since 2017, with hundreds of billions of VND spent each season.
Beyond lighting up the sky over Da Nang, DIFF has become a driving force for the night-time economy, tourism stimulation, and the city’s ambition to become Asia’s leading festival destination.
Speaking at the DIFF 2026 Grand Finale, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Anh Thi, Vice Chairwoman of the Da Nang City People’s Committee and Head of the Organizing Committee of the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival 2026, said:
“Through each edition, the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival has increasingly affirmed its strong appeal, contributing to Da Nang’s positioning as ‘Asia’s Leading Festival and Event Destination’. DIFF has also been recognized by the international community as one of the world’s nine must-experience festivals. This is a source of pride not only for Da Nang, but also for Vietnam in its journey to promote the image of the country to international friends.”
As DIFF 2026 comes to a close, the fireworks may have faded from the sky above the Han River, but Da Nang’s journey towards becoming a city of international festivals continues.
Following this radiant summer season, the city will continue to welcome visitors with a vibrant lineup of events, festivals, and new tourism products, extending the vitality of a dynamic, modern, and ever-evolving destination.
DANANG TOURISM PROMOTION CENTER
