Over recent years, Da Nang has made great efforts to develop itself into a city of events through the organisation of a wide range of fascinating cultural events.  As a result, the city was honoured as ‘Asia’s Leading Festival and Events Destination’ at the World Travel Awards (WTAs) Asia & Australasia Gala Ceremony in 2016.

The 2015 Viet Nam-Japan Cultural Exchange Festival

One of this year’s signature events is the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF).  First organised in 2008, it has helped to advertise the city’s image to domestic and international friends. This year, the fireworks will be released near the Novotel on Bach Dang on 5 evenings - 30 April, 20 May, 27 May, 3 June and 24 June.  Two teams will display each night, but the last date will be the grand finale featuring the best 3 teams from the 8.

Since its inception in 2014, the annual Viet Nam-Japan Cultural Exchange Festival has proved popular with both locals and visitors.  This year it is scheduled to be held in late July, and it should once again attract Japanese nationals who are living and working in the city, as well as domestic and foreign visitors, and local residents, especially students from local colleges and universities. 

As in previous years, it will reflect the cultures and cuisines of the 2 countries through a wide range of activities including musical performances, martial arts displays, calligraphy, and fashion shows of Japanese and Vietnamese traditional costumes. 

Visitors can learn about the distinctive Japanese culture and fine arts through its tea ceremonies, cosplay costume wearing, the traditional arts of origami (folding paper to make models) and kirigami (cutting paper), and manga comic books.  In particular, arts troupes from some Japanese localities will be invited to deliver spectacular performances at the upcoming festival.

In a similar vein, the annual colourful Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival (Hanami Festival) has attracted a large number of local residents and visitors, especially young people.  In 2016, it took place in Asia Park and many young people were very eager to try on a kimono, the Japanese traditional costume, and pose for souvenir photos with the beautiful pink and white cherry blossom.

The municipal Department of Foreign Affairs will submit detailed plans to the municipal authorities for the 2017 Viet Nam-Korean Culture and Cuisine Festival to welcome the upcoming 25^th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties between Viet Nam and South Korea (22 December).

South Korean students enjoying Vietnamese dishes and…

….performing a conical hat dance at the Viet Nam-South Korea Friendship IT Junior College last year

Since 2010, the Viet Nam-South Korea Friendship IT Junior College in Da Nang has also organised numerous cultural exchange programmes with South Korean educational establishments, including Soongsil University and Sungduk College.  These meaningful programmes have helped Vietnamese and South Korean students gain an insight into the distinctive cultural values and the authentic cuisines of the 2 countries.

At the Helio Centre entertainment complex on 2 September street, a cuisine festival entitled ‘1980s’ will open between 4.00pm and 10.00pm daily from 29 April to 1 May.

Visitors will be able to enjoy delicious street dishes at food stalls whose designs are similar to those from Viet Nam’s subsidy period between 1975 and 1986.   In particular, the festival will also show off interesting activities including tarot card reading and henna drawings.