Fireworks over the banks of the Hàn River in Đà Nẵng. The city's fireworks event has been chosen as one of nine must-experience summer festivals in the world by Travel + Leisure Asia. Photo courtesy of DIFF

ĐÀ NẴNG – The annual Đà Nẵng International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) has been chosen as one of nine must-experience summer festivals worldwide by Travel + Leisure Asia, joining the list alongside iconic events like the UK's Glastonbury Festival, Primavera Sound in Spain and Japan's Gion Matsuri.

DIFF’s organising committee said the US-based travel magazine wrote about the fireworks festival as a highlight of Đà Nẵng. 

The committee noted that it's not just a series of fireworks shows, but a plethora of experiences, with music and street arts performances as well as a festive summer atmosphere all along Bạch Đằng street and the banks of the Hàn River.

According to organisers, the selection by one of the world's top travel media brands has identified the festival as a unique signature event, marking a place for Đà Nẵng on the global tourism map.

This year's edition of DIFF will take place from May 30 to July 11, upholding its position as one of the most distinctive cultural and tourism events in the central beach city.

It will feature leading fireworks teams from around the world, including two teams from Việt Nam (Đà Nẵng-Việt Nam and Z21 Vina Pyrotech) and defending champions Jiangxi Yanfeng Art Fireworks Display from China.

Other competitors include two-time champion Martarello Group S.R.L of Italy, Josef Steffes-Ollig Feuer Werk GMBH of Germany, Lux Factory POK 2.0 of France, Japan’s Tamaya Kitahara Fireworks, Macau’s Apple Pyrotechnics and Australia’s Skylighter Fireworks.

All of the teams will take part in nearly two months of artistic performances and light and fireworks displays, vying for a spot in the grand final on July 11.

Organisers said that opening night on May 30 will be themed Nature, featuring a competition between Việt Nam's Team 1 and China. The second night, scheduled for June 6 under the theme Heritage, will see Việt Nam's Team 2 compete with France.

Dancers on stage at the Đà Nẵng International Fireworks Festival. Đà Nẵng City has hosted the annual festival since 2008. Photo courtesy of DIFF

The third competition on June 13 will focus on Culture, with teams from Japan and Italy presenting their displays. This will be followed by a June 20 contest themed Creative, featuring fireworks teams from Germany and Macao (China).

On June 27, teams from Australia and Portugal will compete under the theme Vision.

The two highest-scoring teams will advance to the grand final on July 11, which is themed United Horizons, also the theme for the entire festival.

First held in 2008, the festival will reflect the formation of the new Đà Nẵng City following the successful merger with former Quảng Nam Province.

DIFF has played a central role in building Đà Nẵng’s reputation as a Fireworks Festival City and a leading destination in central Việt Nam and across Asia.

It typically attracts around 1.5 million visitors over the summer, creating millions of dollars in revenue for the city’s tourism industry.

The city said the annual fireworks festival would play a key role in promoting Đà Nẵng as a leading destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions tourism.

Đà Nẵng plans to host 19.1 million tourists this year.

Last year, the US travel magazine also listed Hội An ancient town as one of the world's best cities. VNS