Fireworks fun: Đà Nẵng shines bright with international festival

by Công Thành

A fireworks performance on the Hàn River during the Đà Nẵng International Fireworks Festival. The event has been promoting the city's tourism industry and economic growth as a whole. Photo courtesy of DIFF

The Đà Nẵng International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) has been instrumental in elevating the central city as a top destination in Việt Nam and Asia as a whole since its debut 16 years ago.

This coastal tourist hub is recognised as the sole city in Việt Nam to successfully host the International Fireworks Festival, creating a significant tourism draw and generating millions in revenue from services related to fireworks performances. The festival has gradually become a favourite summer rendezvous among families and friends.

Each burst of fireworks over Đà Nẵng's skyline is not just a display of pyrotechnic artistry but a testament to the city's spirit of innovation and celebration, echoing through the hearts of spectators and travellers alike.

The Hàn River in Đà Nẵng City is a favourite rendezvous for leading producers worldwide at annual fireworks festivals. The city has been building the fest as a leading tourism brand in Asia. Photo courtesy of DIFF

According to a report from the city’s tourism department, DIFF consistently triggers a surge in accommodation demand, with hotels and resorts reaching full capacity at rates between 75 per cent and 90 per cent. Visitor numbers typically increase between 30 per cent and 40 per cent.

More participating teams are increasingly drawn to the festival to showcase unique designs, given its two-month duration.

As twilight descends over the Hàn River, the cityscape becomes a canvas for the mesmerising choreography of lights and colours, weaving a tapestry of wonder that captivates all who behold it.

Trần Chí Cường, vice chairman of the city’s People’s Committee [municipal administration], emphasised that DIFF has played a pivotal role in attracting tourists to Đà Nẵng and central Việt Nam in general.

"It's not just a unique tourism product, but also a blend of tourism and recreational activities that the city has been organising for nearly two decades," Cường said. "The fireworks festival has significantly contributed to establishing Đà Nẵng as a top destination in Asia."

"The festival has involved investment and support from the private sector over the past decades, and it was officially assigned to a private company – Sun Group – as a major organiser and sponsor."

He stressed that it's a milestone in DIFF's history as the event has been funded solely by businesses and community donors.

"Đà Nẵng’s tourism industry continues to innovate and refresh traditional products to draw in visitors," Cường said. "DIFF changes its style every year to appeal to an increasing number of visitors."

Đà Nẵng is now not only known as a ‘livable’ city with pristine white sand beaches but also as a must-visit fireworks show destination.

"It means that travellers can find tour packages offering various tourism services and entertainment, from mountain resorts to riverside and seaside accommodations, all easily accessible to the central region's UNESCO World Heritage sites," Cường said.

Opportunities

Local residents and tourists watch fireworks performances from a bridge spanning over the Hàn River. The Đà Nẵng International Fireworks Festival drew millions of visitors in the annual event. Photo courtesy of Trần Lê Lâm

Trần Hưng Đạo and Bạch Đằng streets along the Hàn River are favoured sites for staying and watching fireworks performances from room-views or outdoor bars. Hotels on these streets are consistently fully booked during fireworks displays on weekends, maintaining high occupancy throughout the festival's two-month schedule.

Nguyễn Sơn Thuỷ, general director of Indochina Unique Tourist Company, said that visitors now prefer booking combined tours and fireworks shows when visiting Đà Nẵng.

"They can enjoy various entertainment activities during the fireworks tour, with packaged services covering festival tickets and exploration of the Bà Nà Hills mountain resort before visiting the UNESCO-recognised Hội An ancient town within a smooth 30-minute journey," Thuỷ said

"The fireworks event captivates travellers with its diverse activities during their trip to Đà Nẵng. Previously, visitors could only book services for watching fireworks one or two nights, but now they have more options for touring Đà Nẵng on any weekend holiday during the two-month fireworks festival."

Thuỷ's customers are arranged a close-view of the fireworks shows at restaurants or bars, offering an excellent sight of the artistic performances.

"The fireworks festival offers a hopeful chance for travel agencies to boost their business through compelling tourism promotions," said Nguyễn Đức Quỳnh, chairman of Đà Nẵng City’s Hotels Association.

"Travel businesses see the fireworks festival as a potentially profitable opportunity. They expect the marketable effects of the fireworks event to persuade travellers. In general, the festival could significantly boost accommodation services, with fireworks serving as a catalyst for growth," Quỳnh said.

He suggested that DIFF be promoted in booming tourism markets with direct flights available from South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and India to further accelerate sustainable growth.

Nguyễn Văn Bình, director of Sun Group's Central Region and organiser and sponsor of DIFF, described fireworks festival as a cornerstone product for the group and the central city over the years. He noted that Bà Nà Hills Mountain Resort was always included in the fireworks performance tour when visiting Đà Nẵng.

Dancers play in a pre-fireworks launching event at the Đà Nẵng International Fireworks Festival. The festival creates an attraction to tourists to Đà Nẵng City. Photo courtesy of DIFF

"Travellers can find romantic accommodation ranging from mountaintop to riverside and sun-soaked beach locations for their families, with fireworks shows being a primary reason for summer vacations," Bình said.

He added that the fireworks event had become an annual rendezvous for leading producers worldwide, including France, Italy, the US, Germany, Poland, China, and Finland.

In the first quarter of 2024, international visitors to Đà Nẵng increased by 21.6 per cent, while domestic tourists rose by 24.3 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Bà Nà Hills Mountain Resort alone attracted 60 per cent of the city's total annual visitors, and DIFF and other summer events are set to further cement Đà Nẵng as a 'hot' destination.

ITYSCAPE: Thuận Phước bridge spans over the Hàn River in Đà Nẵng City. The central city has been boosting the annual International Fireworks Festival as a rendezvous for holidaymakers worldwide. Photo courtesy of Lê Lâm

According to the city’s statistics, each festival attracts over one million tourists, generating millions of dollars in revenue for the local tourism industry.

The festival has played a pivotal role in establishing Đà Nẵng as the ‘Fireworks Festival City’ brand, promoting it as a top destination in Central Việt Nam and Asia in general. VNS