Da Nang Fireworks Festival (DIFF): Dates, Where to Watch & Tips

Featured image: Vivu Vietnam, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Da Nang Fireworks Festival at a Glance

DIFF is a team competition, not a single show. Each night, two teams fire over the Han River, and a final night closes the season. Both the 2025 and 2026 editions ran from late May to mid-July. Winter visitors should look at Da Nang in December: Weather, Events & What to Plan instead, because DIFF is a summer event.

• What it is: an international fireworks competition on the Han River, Da Nang
• Usual season: late May to mid-July, mostly Saturday nights
• 2026 edition: May 30 to July 11, 10 teams, 6 competition nights
• 2025 edition: May 31 to July 12, 10 teams, 6 nights
• Dates change yearly, and the next edition is not confirmed

When DIFF Usually Runs (and How to Confirm Dates)

The 2026 edition was announced on January 29, 2026 under Plan No. 34/KH-UBND, about four months before opening night. Expect a similar lead time next time. Da Nang's official 2026 announcement gave an expected window of May 30 to July 11. A 2025 resort schedule shows six nights from May 31 to July 12. Both editions used Saturdays through June, with the final night in July. Per-night dates in published sources have not always matched, so rely on the organizer's current schedule. Da Nang's city tourism site, Da Nang Fantastic City, is a sensible place to look for that. Pick your travel month with our guide to the best time to visit Da Nang.

How the Competition Works

DIFF 2026 chaired by the Da Nang City People's Committee, with Sun Group as sponsor and implementer. It drew 10 teams from 9 countries and territories, including 4 first-time teams. Two Vietnamese teams took part: the Da Nang Fireworks Team and Z121 Vina Pyrotech. Six nights carried themes: Nature, Heritage, Culture, Creativity, Vision and a final night. A 2025 schedule gives each team 20 minutes per night. Prizes in 2026 were $20,000 for the champion and $10,000 for the runner-up. Three awards of $5,000 each went to the Most Popular Team (audience vote), Creativity and Promising Team. Sky AR let viewers interact with the fireworks sky on their phones. A laser LED system lit the river and buildings on both banks.

Where to Watch: Options Compared

In 2025, the launch site was Han River Port and the performance area was Tran Hung Dao Street. Most viewing spots look at that stretch of river. Pick by what you value: a free riverside crowd, a raised view, or comfort. Check the current venue when dates are announced, since it can change.

Tickets, Costs and What to Budget

Published sources do not list ticket prices or say whether any viewing area is ticketed. Riverbanks and bridges are public space, so budget them as free. Cruises and view cafés are paid, and cost most among the options. Son Tra costs depend on how you get up and whether the road is open. Prize figures above come from the January 29, 2026 announcement. For tickets, check the organizer's page and the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism once the next edition is announced.

Planning Your Night: Timing, Crowds and Getting Home

Arrive well before show time, because riverbank spots fill first. Each team's show is 20 minutes, so you can leave right after one night's display if you wish. Crowds gather on the Han River bridges and spill onto Tran Hung Dao Street. Walking or using a ride-hailing app is easier than driving close to the river. Summer showers are possible, so pack rain cover. Our Da Nang weather guide covers heat and rain. Choose a regular Saturday for a calmer night, or the final night on July 11 in 2026 for the season's closing show. With only one night in the window, a mid-season night balances crowds and spectacle. Skip DIFF if you dislike crowds or late nights.

• Arriving at show time instead of early
• Assuming the festival is annual on fixed dates
• Booking a cruise without checking it operates that night
• Planning to leave right after the finale
• Expecting a winter show

Where to Stay and What to Do on Non-Show Days

Stay near the river for walking access, or on the beachfront if you prefer a resort base. One beachfront resort says its location is about 10 minutes by car from Han River Port. Book early, because the festival season draws extra visitors. The official announcement suggests My Khe beach at dawn, Son Tra Peninsula, My Son Sanctuary, Hoi An Ancient town and cafés along the Han River. Sun World Ba Na Hills ran summer programming in 2026, including a Beer Festival. River Fest and Beer Fest were named as side events.