On Tuesday, Da Nang People’s Committee Vice Chairman Dang Viet Dung chaired a meeting to discuss the implementation of a project to play accompanying music when, at weekends, the dragon’s head at the eastern end of the Rong (Dragon) Bridge breathes fire and squirts water.

Representatives from Pro Light & Sound, which has grown to become one of Australia’s leading professional audio and lighting providers, presented 3 different scores for music and sound effects.

Design of a loudspeaker system installation at the eastern end of the bridge

The first, themed ‘The Heroic Spirit of Viet Nam’, highlights the combination between the dragon’s roar, the sound of running water, and some enchanting music reflecting the country’s glorious victories against invaders over past historical times.

The second, themed ‘The Legend of the Dragon and the Fairy’, features a harmonious mix of sound and lighting effects in tribute to the Vietnamese people’s sacred origins as ‘Con Rong, Chau Tien’ (Children of the Dragon, Grandchildren of the Fairies), and the efforts to accelerate the country’s progress.

The last score, themed ‘Rhythm of the City’, is an orchestral work with enchanting melodies to boast the impressive image of Da Nang as a dynamic, young and full of vitality city.

Each of the scores lasts between 10 and 12 minutes.

100-400W speakers will be installed on pillars of between 6m and 8m in height positioned along the bridge, but focussing on its eastern and western ends.  The total cost of the project will be 6.4 billion VND from the city’s budget, whilst the annual operating and maintenance costs will be 480 million VND and 640 million VND respectively.

Addressing the meeting, Vice Chairman Dung remarked that the scores must reflect the special characteristics of the land and people of Da Nang.  In particular, the final section of the music must showcase a brighter future for the city.

He asked the project’s consultants to submit their completed scripts to the city leaders for approval no later than 15 October this year in order to complete the project early next year.