After more than three years of COVID-19-related disruptions to the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF), the much awaited event has made a come back to Da Nang in a bid to bring joy to local residents and tourists. The successful opening night of DIFF 2023 which took place on June 2 tapped into their emotions as it created unforgettable experiences for them.

The colourful performance by the home team Da Nang-Viet Nam

Prior to the opening night of DIFF 2023, the crowd of eagerly awaiting locals and tourists poured into the viewing stands to choose a nice and convenient seat to watch fireworks performances of the host team Da Nang-Viet Nam and Finland team – the defending champion of DIFF 2019. This proved that DIFF was not just an international fireworks competition but it is also a cultural rendezvous for participating teams to showcase friendships and identity of their country. DIFF is an unique event of Da Nang that contributes to branding Da Nang as ‘A Fireworks City’, ‘A Festival City’ and more.

In their efforts to prepare for the most awaited event of Da Nang, the municipal government has focused on optimizing the city’s resource utilization and availability to make this event successfully as DIFF is the city’s most important cultural and tourism event that attracts a large number of domestic and foreign tourists, hereby contributing to creating a tourism breakthrough, driving its recovery, and promoting the city’s socio-economic development. The successful opening night of DIFF 2023 proves that this event is very attractive to locals and tourists.

Viewing stands’ seats are full for DIFF 2023 while the hotel occupancy rate in Da Nang has significantly increased during the festival.

The occupancy rate of hotels in the city is estimated at 60-62% in June, and it remains at a similar level in 2022. The number of tourists arriving by road, rail and air transport for DIFF 2023 is higher than usual. In particular, tourist arrivals at the Da Nang Coach Station on June 1 and 2 daily reach around 300 on average, an increase of about 5-10% compared to normal days. Meanwhile, the city saw a rise of nearly 50% in the number of passengers transported by rail. On June 2 alone, Da Nang welcomed 130 domestic and international flights, bringing tourists to the city for DIFF 2023, almost equal to the figure recorded in 2019 (before the COVID-19 pandemic)

The successful opening night of DIFF 2023 is mainly attributed to joint efforts between local departments, agencies, and authorities at local level, plus residents across the city. Tourists were deeply impressed with not only spectacular fireworks displays, but also the friendliness and closeness of Da Nang’s people.

Team Finland showed strong emotions and love for life in their performance themed ‘Warm-up my heart’

The opening night of DIFF 2023 left a deep impression on locals and tourists with the city’s thorough preparation for this event, beautiful images of police officers who were tasked with ensuring the safe movement of pedestrians, and vehicles on accessible areas for this event, along with beautiful images of young volunteers who collected garbage left by locals and tourists at the most-crowded viewing areas in the city. All of these things have contributed to branding Da Nang as a green, clean and beautiful city, as well as a friendly and hospitable city. Da Nang was recognized as Asia’s Leading Festival and Event Destination in 2016 and 2022 by the World Travel Awards.

As a tourist city, Da Nang considers tourism, which is known as the smokeless industry, as one of its key economic sectors. This year’s DIFF which is organized with 28 side events and programs for more than one month, is expected to drive strong rebound in tourism in 2023. These side events are expected to create more new and memorable experiences for tourists, thereby contributing to inspiring them to extend their stay in Da Nang.

Recently, the city has also successfully organized the Da Nang Asian Film Festival. Importance has been attached to developing new entertainment spots and cultural events in a bid to refresh the city’s tourism products to lure more domestic and foreign tourists. The Da Nang International Fireworks Festival can be considered as another push for the city’s tourism to rebound to pre-pandemic level recorded in 2019. With its thorough preparation for DIFF 2023, the city expects to welcome about 1.5 million visitors. Da Nang is ready to welcome tourists during the festival, as well as meet the needs of visitors to the city to watch fireworks displays, visit and relax during this special occasion.

DIFF 2023 themed "The World Without Distance" has made a comeback to Da Nang, and this year’s event sees the participation of 8 teams, namely the UK, Italy, Poland, France, Australia, Canada, Finland and Da Nang-Viet Nam. There will be 5 performance nights, themed “Peace for the World”, “Love Without Distance”, “Chasing Your Dreams”, “Embracing Nature” and “Light Up the Borderless World”. DIFF 2023 is expected to spread the vibrant image of Da Nang, and the world as whole, post COVID-19. Successful opening night of the DIFF 2023 kicked off new brilliant fireworks season in Da Nang, contributing to making the city a memorable destination for tourists this summer.

During the festival , a series of side events as part of the “Enjoy Da Nang 2023” program will take place in the city. and they are expected to create unforgettable experience for locals and tourists.

Reporting by THU HA – Translating by H.L