Continuing the excitement of the opening night, the second competition night of the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF 2026), themed “Legacy,” took place on the evening of June 6. Organized by the Da Nang People’s Committee in collaboration with Sun Group, the event led spectators from one surprise to another with dazzling fireworks performances that illuminated the skies above the Han River.
Da Nang’s Legacy Expressed Through Fireworks
Featuring a showdown between Vietnam’s reigning runner-up Z121 Vina Pyrotech and France’s accomplished newcomer Lux Factory POK 2.0, the second competition night presented two distinct approaches united by a shared goal: celebrating heritage through the language of fireworks.
The French team narrated the story of heritage through its performance entitled “Heritage – Da Nang Shines.” Using a cinematic and multi-layered fireworks display, the team recreated the cultural strata formed through different historical eras and highlighted Da Nang’s beauty on its journey of international integration. Despite being newcomers to DIFF, the French team continuously surprised the audience, transforming Da Nang’s sky into a mesmerizing stage of light.
Multicolored titanium-tailed fireworks, soft falling-leaf effects, and cascading glittering waterfalls created overlapping visual layers reminiscent of cultural sediment built over centuries. The climax came as synchronized golden fireworks burst across the sky, illuminating the entire Han River and paying tribute to the city’s rich heritage and vibrant vitality.
Meanwhile, Vietnam’s Z121 Vina Pyrotech reaffirmed the stature of the DIFF 2025 runner-up by delivering a performance deeply rooted in Vietnamese heritage, rich in familiarity and cultural identity.
A particularly memorable highlight was the recreation of the iconic palm tree—an emblem of Phu Tho, the ancestral land of Vietnam—through modern pyrotechnic technology. The performance reached its emotional peak when the Da Nang sky erupted in brilliant fireworks as the song “Noi Vong Tay Lon” (Joining Hands Together) resonated across the venue, accompanied by enthusiastic singing and applause from the audience.
“Absolutely world-class! Z121 did not simply perform fireworks; they ignited national pride through the art of light. I was incredibly proud watching their performance last year, and that is exactly why my family and I returned to DIFF this year. It was truly worth it,” shared Pham Van Lam from Hai Phong.
An Artistic Celebration Honouring Heritage Values
Elevating the artistic experience, DIFF 2026’s second competition night also treated audiences to a grand riverside music spectacle featuring renowned performers including Dong Hung, Thuy Dung, Hong Minh, Kieu Oanh, Nhat Mai, and Ny Ny Nguyen.
If the fireworks represented moments when heritage soared, the stage performances served as emotional threads connecting Da Nang’s tangible and intangible cultural values. Through music, dance, and theatrical artistry, audiences were invited on a journey exploring the beauty of culture and heritage.
The opening performance, “Than Nam Hai”, presented by singer Dong Hung and dancers, set a powerful tone for the evening. Inspired by the sea, the performance vividly recreated the spiritual life of coastal communities in Central Vietnam, where stories of the sea have long formed an integral part of local cultural identity.
This was followed by timeless classics such as “Hymne à l’amour,” introducing audiences to the romantic beauty of French culture, while performances including “Chieu Hoi An,” “Apsara Dancer by the Han River,” and “Flying Across Heritage Lands” expanded the journey through the distinctive cultural treasures of Da Nang and Central Vietnam.
According to Meritorious Artist Quang Hao, Director of the Trung Vuong Theatre and Artistic Director of DIFF 2026:
“Through the artistic stage of DIFF’s ‘Legacy’ night, we hope to introduce international friends to a miniature Vietnam and a Central Vietnamese region blessed with an extraordinary wealth of heritage.”
DIFF Continues to Elevate Da Nang as Asia’s Summer Festival Hub
Following the success of the opening night, the appeal of DIFF continues to spread strongly. Recognized among the Top 9 Festivals Worth Traveling for on the Planet by Travel + Leisure, this year’s festival is helping position Da Nang as one of Asia’s most exciting summer destinations.
For the first time, DIFF is also offering audiences personalized AI-powered digital souvenirs through the Sun Paradise Land application. With just a few simple steps, visitors can transform their festival memories into vintage-style postage stamps or design personalized electronic postcards to send to family and friends. These innovative experiences not only extend the excitement beyond each competition night but also allow every visitor to take home a unique piece of their own DIFF 2026 memories.
Upcoming Competition Nights
The remaining competition nights will take place on consecutive Saturdays:
- June 13: Japan vs Italy – Culture
- June 20: Germany vs Macau (China) – Innovation
- June 27: Australia vs Portugal – Vision
- July 11: Grand Final
Tickets for DIFF 2026 are available online through the festival’s official ticketing platform at DIFF.VN. The grandstand is divided into six seating categories with different pricing structures for qualifying nights and special nights, including the Opening Ceremony and the Grand Final.
The second competition night of DIFF 2026 demonstrated once again how fireworks can transcend entertainment, becoming a powerful artistic language through which Vietnam and France celebrated the enduring value of heritage under the illuminated skies of Da Nang.
DANANG TOURISM PROMOTION CENTER
