Da Nang benefits after 8 years of socializing the international fireworks festival

(Dan Tri) - After 13 times of organizing and 8 years of socializing the International Fireworks Festival, what Da Nang has achieved is not only the unique brand of a world-class fireworks city.

From financial pressure to optimal solutions

March 2008 marked the first time Da Nang organized an international fireworks competition, bringing domestic and international audiences closer to this new art form right in Vietnam. From the idea of building a “city of light” nearly 20 years ago, Da Nang is gradually realizing its goal of becoming Asia’s leading festival destination.

Da Nang city at night of fireworks (Photo: NAG Nguyen Xuan Anh).

However, after the first few seasons, the fireworks festival has posed many challenges for the local government. Each fireworks festival costs tens of billions of dong. The festival is held sporadically, and each season only has 2 nights of performance. In 2017, the city began to socialize the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival, transferring the competition toSun Group .

Mr. Nguyen Van Binh - Chairman of Sun Group Central Region - shared: "If we consider the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) as a business activity, it will definitely be a loss. However, Sun Group still accompanies DIFF, because we determine that DIFF is a lever for tourism and to beautify Da Nang - a city that Sun Group has been closely attached to since the first days of the group's establishment in Vietnam".

DIFF was upgraded after being invested by Sun Group (Photo: NAG Dinh Quang Nghia).

With that spirit, in the first year of DIFF socialization, the international fireworks festival has been raised to a new level. DIFF 2017 has been extended from 2 days to 2 months, with the participation of 8 teams from many countries. The event has attracted a large number of tourists to Da Nang, leading to increased demand for hotel rooms, infrastructure, and air tickets.

According to statistics from the Da Nang Department of Tourism, the number of visitors to Da Nang in May 2017 increased by nearly 50% compared to 2016. Along with DIFF 2017, a series of accompanying events turned Da Nang into the center of the summer tourist season. Total tourism revenue is estimated at 1,801,992 billion VND, up 48.8% compared to the same period in 2016.

Da Nang, from a financial barrier for the Fireworks Festival, has become a leading festival destination in Asia when it "chosen the right person to entrust" Sun Group - a corporation associated with many international-scale projects.

A destination for domestic and international tourists

After being socialized, DIFF has not only affirmed the brand for the fireworks city of Da Nang, but also helped the city on the Han River benefit from all aspects of socio-economy.

According to information from the Da Nang Department of Tourism, the city set a record with 162 flights for the final night of DIFF 2024, an increase of more than 40% compared to normal days. In June 2024 - the peak month of DIFF 2024 - the city's revenue from accommodation and food services is estimated at VND2,523 billion.

The DIFF stands are always full of seats every season (Photo: Sun Group).

According to the DIFF 2025 organizing committee, although only 2 competition nights have been held, each competition night has welcomed about 70,000 visitors to accommodation establishments. Along with DIFF, Da Nang organizes a series of exciting festivals such as the Da Nang Enjoy Festival; art shows all day and night on Ba Na peak; entertainment experiences throughout the summer at Da Nang Downtown... All have created a vibrant Da Nang, the capital of summer tourism, a destination for domestic and international tourists.

Exciting show on Ba Na during the summer (Photo: Sun Group).

“Among all the fireworks festivals in Asia, DIFF is the most special event for us. Not only because of its scale, but also because of the warmth here, the friendly people, the beautiful city and the warm welcome atmosphere. Here, we always feel like we are in our own homeland,” said Mr. Jaroslaw, the captain of the Polish fireworks team.

Making Da Nang beautiful, DIFF also brings pride and many opportunities to the people of Da Nang. From 5-star hotels, Michelin restaurants, to small businesses..., all benefit from DIFF.

According to Mr. Pham Van Thang - a taxi driver - every DIFF season, the car picks up passengers from morning to late at night without stopping : "I don't even have time to eat. It's tiring, but very happy, because the money I earn during the festival season is sometimes several times more than usual. And seeing so many passengers coming to Da Nang makes me very proud."

Da Nang Downtown lights up at night (Photo: Sun Group).

DIFF, with the determination of the government and strong investment from Sun Group, has not only raised the level of the destination, beautified and enriched the land of Da Nang, but also become a strong boost for the socio-economic development of the whole province.

According to Ms. Truong Thi Hong Hanh, Director of Da Nang Department of Tourism, the cooperation of businesses and the city has created unique festivals and especially attractive tourism products.

“ These tourism products will contribute to increasing the number of tourists coming to the city and spreading the brand of Da Nang, especially affirming the brand of Da Nang as the leading festival and event destination in Asia on the world tourism map,” Ms. Hanh affirmed.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/du-lich/da-nang-huong-loi-sau-8-nam-xa-hoi-hoa-le-hoi-phao-hoa-quoc-te-20250613161954319.htm