ĐÀ NẴNG — Host Đà Nẵng-Việt Nam and Fireevent Die Feuerwerker from Austria sparked the opening night of the 2017 Đà Nẵng International Fireworks Festival last night with a specular performance in the sky of the central city.

The host’s performance was based on five elements: metal, wood, water, fire and earth as traditional philosophy.

It symbols were everlasting existence, development of Việt Nam, as well as the city’s iconic landmarks – Marble Mountains – a favourite destination.

The visiting team from Austria lit up the sky of Đà Nẵng with their fireworks performance, accompanied by a romantic waltz and classical music.

The team emphasised their desire for peace on earth at the festival during a 20-minute fireworks display.

Lê Quý Dương, the festival’s general director, said the event would attract over 2 million tourists between April and June.

The festival was seen as a renewal, following the previous seven editions on the Hàn River.

According to festival organisers, the festival was assigned for a two-month long period for tourists arranging their holiday schedules between April and June, instead of only a two-night performance, as in previous festivals.

As planned, the Tamaya Katahara Fireworks team from Japan and Sugyp from Switzerland will continue on the second night on May 20th.

China’s Dancing Fireworks Group and Pyrotex Fireworx team from the UK will spark the third night performance on May 27th. Howard&Sons Pyrotechnics from Australia and Italy’s Martarello will stage the fourth night performance on June 3rd.

The festival orgnaniser, Sun Group, said each night’s performance will reserve 13,000 tickets, including 8,000 seats, at four main stands.

The best teams will compete in the final rounds on June 24th.

The festival was held under the title Shining Ngũ Hành Sơn, or Marble Mountains.

Đặng Minh Trường, general director of Sun Group, the fireworks festival organiser, said the event will be one of the key events prior to the 2017 APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation) Summit in Đà Nẵng in November.

The fireworks festival was held annually from 2008 until 2013, then biennially from 2015.

Teams from the US and Italy have twice won, while Canada, China and France clinched the title once.

Đà Nẵng received an award for Asia’s Leading Festival and Event at the World Travel Awards ceremony, and was named among the Top 10 Holiday Destinations in Asia by Smart Travel Asia – an online tourism magazine for Asia last year.

Last year the city hosted 5.6 million tourists, with 1.67 million being foreigners.

The city has reserved more than 16,000 rooms in preparation for the fireworks festival. — VNS