Continuing the excitement generated by the first two competition nights, the third night of the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) 2026, jointly organized by the Da Nang People’s Committee and Sun Group, delivered a remarkable journey of emotions under the theme “Culture” on the evening of June 13.
DIFF 2026 is witnessing unprecedented popularity in the festival’s history, with multiple competition nights selling out. The third competition night, themed “Culture,” reached 100% seating capacity, with the grandstands fully occupied long before the performances began. The highly anticipated showdown between two fireworks powerhouses, Japan and Italy, proved to be a major draw for audiences.
Photo: Dao Dang Cong Trung
Beyond attracting record-breaking crowds, this year’s edition has also been widely praised by industry experts and fireworks enthusiasts as one of the most technically accomplished seasons in DIFF history. Featuring some of the world’s leading fireworks teams, each competition night has delivered a unique artistic identity, showcasing innovative techniques, emotionally rich storytelling and creative concepts. Many spectators have even described the DIFF 2026 qualifying rounds as a series of “early finals,” where every competition feels worthy of a championship showdown.
Japan Choreographs Fireworks with Music, Italy Reaffirms Its Champion Legacy
Widely regarded as one of the most anticipated matchups of DIFF 2026, the third competition night featured Tamaya Kitahara Fireworks of Japan – representing the world-renowned tradition of Hanabi fireworks artistry – and Martarello Group S.R.L of Italy, a living legend of DIFF and two-time consecutive champion.
Presenting a performance inspired by the spirit of Wabi-sabi, the Japanese team guided audiences through an emotional journey where beauty was expressed through subtlety, harmony and poetic moments of stillness. Their signature Nishiki Kamuro fireworks, often compared to cascading golden silk ribbons drifting gracefully from the sky, appeared throughout the performance, creating elegant layers of light that reflected the essence of Japanese culture.
Music became one of the defining highlights of Japan’s performance. Alongside iconic Japanese pieces such as New Genesis, Always With Me, and the soundtrack from Ryomaden, the team surprised audiences with globally recognized hits, including the theme from Stranger Things, Running Up That Hill, the Oscar-winning K-pop sensation GOLDEN, and the Vietnamese song Những Ngày Trời Bao La.
The seamless synchronization between fireworks and music transformed Japan’s performance into a true “concert of light.” Each segment created a powerful connection with the audience, particularly younger spectators, perfectly embodying the spirit of cultural exchange that defined the evening.
Meanwhile, Italy presented a performance titled “Echoes Becoming Future,” continuing the cinematic storytelling tradition that has defined Martarello’s artistry for more than a century.
Beginning with majestic European classical compositions such as Lacrimosa and musical inspirations from Vivaldi, the Italian performance guided audiences through the richness of European cultural heritage before transitioning into contemporary expressions. One particularly delightful surprise was the inclusion of the viral Vietnamese hit See Tình, creating an emotional connection with local audiences.
Layered fireworks effects, dramatic cinematic sequences and flawless synchronization between music and light transformed the Han River skyline into a giant open-air stage. Each chapter unfolded like a visual film, telling the story of humanity’s cultural journey, where traditions are continuously renewed to shape the future.
Beyond the spectacular visual effects, audiences were especially impressed by the way both teams used music to tell stories about culture.
“I was genuinely surprised by Japan’s song choices. It felt more like attending a large-scale concert combined with fireworks rather than a competition. Those songs immediately connected younger audiences like us to the performance,” shared Nguyen Thao Vy, a visitor from Ho Chi Minh City.
Le Hoang Nam, a visitor from Hai Phong, remarked: “This felt like an early final. Japan had the entire grandstand cheering with globally trending songs, while Italy delivered grand cinematic fireworks worthy of a blockbuster film. The ‘Culture’ theme was presented in such an accessible and engaging way that audiences of all ages could appreciate it.”
A Grand Artistic Celebration Connecting Cultures
Beyond the fireworks competition, the third night also featured a vibrant cultural concert along the Han River.
The program opened with “Hon Da” (Soul of Stone) performed by Meritorious Artist Quang Hao, accompanied by singers, dancers and performers. Blending traditional Vietnamese cultural elements with contemporary sounds, the performance celebrated the beauty of Vietnam’s landscapes, history and spirit, setting the emotional tone for the evening.
From Vietnam’s cultural roots, audiences were then transported to Japan through the timeless melody of “Kokoro no Tomo.” Graceful choreography and heartfelt music beautifully captured the elegance and refinement of Japanese culture.
One of the evening’s most energetic highlights came from Vietnamese pop star Hoang Thuy Linh, who performed her hit songs “See Tình” and “Bo Xi Bo.” Her vibrant stage presence, dynamic choreography and modern production ignited the atmosphere along the Han River. In particular, See Tình, which became a global social media phenomenon, served as a powerful example of how contemporary Vietnamese culture is reaching international audiences through music.
Audiences also experienced the vibrant spirit of the Mediterranean through the performance “Tarantella Dance Night.” The energetic and lively dance movements reflected the festive traditions of Italy, creating an inspiring cultural bridge between nations.
After three competition nights, DIFF 2026 continues to affirm its position as one of Asia’s premier summer festivals and a leading international fireworks event. Recently recognized among the Top 9 Must-Experience Festivals on the Planet by Travel + Leisure, DIFF has become far more than a fireworks competition. With the support of Sun Group, the festival has evolved into a platform for international cultural exchange, where each competition night tells a unique story through music, art and light.
This year, DIFF continues to introduce innovative experiences through the Sun Paradise Land application, featuring AI-powered personalization tools that allow visitors to create digital postcards and commemorative stamps from their fireworks memories. These interactive features help extend the excitement beyond each competition night while reinforcing Da Nang’s position as one of Asia’s premier summer destinations.
The festival’s success is also supported by major sponsors including Vietnam Airlines and Bizman Media as Diamond Sponsors, Chicilon Media as the official media partner, along with other esteemed partners such as Pacific Airlines, Hai Tran Media & Airs Group, and the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV).
| The remaining competition nights will continue every Saturday evening: June 20: Germany vs. Macao (China) – Theme: Creativity June 27: Australia vs. Portugal – Theme: Vision July 11: Grand Finale Tickets for DIFF 2026 are available online through the festival’s official website at diff.vn. Grandstands are divided into six seating categories with different pricing structures for qualifying rounds and special nights, including the opening and final performances. |
DANANG TOURISM PROMOTION CENTER
