Held under the theme “Da Nang – Connected Horizons,” DIFF 2026 showcases the city’s vision of serving as a dynamic hub for cultural exchange, tourism, creativity, and international cooperation.
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Vice Chairwoman of the Da Nang People's Committee Nguyen Thi Anh Thi presenting commemorative plaques to the two competing teams |
The opening competition featured the host team from Da Nang and defending champion China under the theme “Nature.” Through synchronized fireworks, music, and visual effects, both teams celebrated the beauty of the natural world and humanity’s connection with the environment.
Da Nang’s performance highlighted the richness of Vietnam’s natural heritage while conveying messages of environmental protection and green future. The display combined vibrant large-scale fireworks sequences with more reflective moments, guiding audiences from admiration of nature’s beauty to consideration of the responsibility to preserve it. Blending innovation with emotional storytelling, the host team delivered one of its most distinctive performances in recent years.
China’s team demonstrated the technical excellence that earned it last year’s title with its performance “Flower of the Orient.” Featuring precise synchronization between fireworks and music, as well as high-quality smokeless pyrotechnic effects, the display transformed the sky above the Han River into a vivid Eastern-inspired spectacle. Fireworks continuously shifted in shape and color, creating a captivating visual experience.
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An art performance during the opening ceremony |
A highlight of the Chinese performance was the inclusion of the Vietnamese song “Vietnam Tinh Hoa” (The Essence of Vietnam), which was warmly received by spectators and drew enthusiastic applause.
This year’s festival also introduced the largest stage in DIFF history, featuring a giant mechanical dome measuring more than 40 meters wide and 10 meters high. The stage incorporated advanced technologies, including high-powered lasers, 3D LED matrix displays, Retro Amber lighting, and multi-layer transparent LED systems, enhancing the visual impact of the performances.
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Fireworks performances by the two teams at the opening ceremony |
Translated by Chung Anh