Up to now, all preparatory works for the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) 2023 have been completed. After a three-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, DIFF returns and promises to bring amazing parties of sounds and lights from the competing teams for both locals and visitors.

A previous DIFF performance

Spectacular arts show at opening ceremony

DIFF 2023 themed ‘Light up the Borderless World’ will officially open at 8:00 pm on Friday, June 2.

Right after the opening ceremony will be a special arts programme with the participation of domestic and international artistes. Immediately after that, the home team Da Nang-Viet Nam will kick off the year’s most-awaited festival season with a stunning fireworks performance in order to compete against the defending champion of DIFF 2019 - the Finnish team.

Visitors to this year's DIFF have the opportunity to not only admire the brilliant fireworks displays on the romantic Han River, but also enjoy special arts programme.

In particular, the musical programme at DIFF 2023’s opening night with the theme of ‘Peace for the World’, co-organised by Sun Group and the Viet Nam Television (VTV), will be broadcast live on VTV1 from 8:10 pm.

The programme will feature such famous Vietnamese artists and singers such as Tung Duong, Ho Ngoc Ha, Lam Bao Ngoc and Anh Tu, promising to bring a musical party full of surprises to the audience.

Prominent in the opening night will be the presence of singer Ho Ngoc Ha with her hit song called ‘Vi Chinh La Em’ (Because It is You), and the combination of famous singer Tung Duong and young singer Lam Bao Ngoc in international and Vietnamese music medleys.

Along with that, the programme will feature impressive performances by artistes from the city-based Trung Vuong Theater and international artistes from 25 countries around the world from the artist group of Sun World Ba Na Hills. This will definitely leave unforgettable memories in the hearts of the audience.

In addition, during the one-month festival, a total of 28 cultural, artistic and sports activities will be organised citywide in a bid to meet the needs of locals and visitors.

Specifically, from June 1 - July 8, a photo exhibition entitled ‘Lam River - Han River, the reunion of colours’ is being held at the APEC Sculpture Garden.

On June 3, a series of cultural and art activities and programmes will be organised in the city.

In particular, the Da Nang Union of Friendship Organisations-hosted yoga performance will take place from 4:00pm - 8:00 pm at the East Sea Park. A street music and magic show will be held on the western bank of the Rong (Dragon) Bridge from 7:30pm. A programme of folk music will be organised at the eastern bank of the Rong (Dragon) Bridge on the evenings of June 3 and 4.

An exhibition introducing Japanese dolls to the public is taking place at the Da Nang Fine Arts Museum, 78 Le Duan Street, from May 30 - June 20, 2023.

From June 7 - July 8, Da Nang Museum will host the 3^rd edition of the ‘Antiquities of Da Nang people’ exhibition.

From June 7 - June 16, the national 5x5 U16 Youth Basketball Championship will take place at the Tien Son Sports Arena.

On June 9, 15 and 23, and July 7, the municipal Youth Union will host a flasmob dance competition themed ‘Brightening the Han River’ at the western end of the Rong Bridge.

At the APEC Sculpture Garden, street music, street dance, yoga, music and ‘ao dai’ programmes will be held on the evenings of June 10, 16, 21, 24 and 28, respectively.

A festival of music bands and dance groups will take place on the extended Bach Dang Street on the evenings of June 10, 17 and 24, and July 8.

Moreover, there will be many fascinating sideline programmes, including the Ba Na Fairy Love Lantern Festival, the South Korean Cultural Festival, the DaNang Electronic Carnival, and the M-Pack Festival & Carnival Street Food.

The uniquely designed stage promises to bring the audience many interesting things.

Residents and visitors eagerly await DIFF 2023

Aside from buying fireworks tickets issued by the organisers, residents and visitors have many other options to enjoy fireworks shows by using services at high-rise buildings or yachts, or coming early to choose locations from the Han River, Thuan Phuoc and Dragon bridges or from both sides of the Han River.

Mrs. Pham Thi Ngoc Anh from Ha Noi said that her family arranged time, work and bought tickets right after the organisers opened the sale.

She said her family was very eager to wait until the opening night to see and also prepare drinking water, mini fans and raincoats in order to be able to watch the full performances of the two teams.

Meanwhile, Mr. Yu Haram and his girlfriend, both from South Korea, were very surprised when being asked about DIFF 2023.

Before that he did not know anything about this festival, but when he came to Da Nang, he was shared information about this festival.

“I have never attended such fireworks festival in my country or other places I have visited. I have been traveling to Da Nang for 4 days and will leave on Sunday, so I will have the opportunity to see the fireworks festival here” Mr. Yu Haram said.

Regularly coming to Da Nang to travel and work, Mr. Kim Hyeonmo from South Korea is too familiar with the lives of local people.

He shared that, compared to other cities such as Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang is a popular destination for South Korean tourists.

He added DIFF 2023 provided an opportunity for Da Nang to promote the image of beautiful, friendly and hospitable city to more South Korean and international tourists.

“The event is held on the weekends and lasts for nearly a month, so it is very convenient for visitors. Right now, I'm looking forward to enjoying the teams' performances at the opening night” Mr. Kim Hyeonmo remarked.

Not only tourists, but many locals also look forward to the return of the fireworks event, especially for business households, because this event will contribute to stimulating tourists' spending and shopping.

The family of Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thuy in Nai Hien Dong Ward, Son Tra District is about 500m from the fireworks viewing area.

In previous fireworks seasons, Mrs. Thuy's family offered car-parking service for guests combined with a business of bottled drinks, so they had a good income.

“DIFF 2023 takes place right in the tourist season, when a lot of tourists come to Da Nang to travel and watch fireworks. Therefore, each city dweller has the responsibility to be a tour guide to spread a beautiful image of the land and people of Da Nang to visitors at both home and abroad. My family is committed to doing these things right to help the city create a successful fireworks season” Mrs. Thuy shared.

Reporting by T.HA, V.HOANG, X.DUNG - Translating by M.DUNG