The Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) 2019, which is scheduled to take place from 1 June to 6 July, is the eleventh edition of the competition held annually in the namesake city since 2008. DIFF 2019 is expected to be more fascinating than last year in terms of the main stage, arts performances, and sideline activities to meet the high expectations of locals and visitors.

DIFF 2019 is expected to impress locals and visitors with new amazing features

The revelation was made by Vietnamese meritorious artiste Do Thanh Hai, the festival’s General Director during his recent interview with DA NANG Newspaper. This is the second time Hai has directed this international-scale cultural event.

Themed ‘Stories by the Rivers’, this year’s event will see the participation of 8 teams, namely Russia, Brazil, Belgium, Finland, Italy, UK, China, and Da Nang-Viet Nam.

Explaining why to choose the main theme ‘Stories by the Rivers’, Hai remarked Da Nang is well known for the iconic Han River, which symbolise the connection between the past and present, and the city’s longevity through historical periods and the global integration of the dynamic city which has risen to fame of ‘Asia’s Leading Festival and Event Destination’ from just a previous riverside fishing village.

In fact, each river in each country and territory has its own story featuring the cultural quintessence and the characteristics of the people whose lives are attached to the flow of history. The theme of DIFF 2019 is inspired by such meaningful ideas.

During the 5-night festival, many stories about the cultural history, and the flow that connects all senses of life will be conveyed through spectacular fireworks performances in music of each team.

This year’s festival will last over one month, instead of 2 months as in previous years. There will be 5 performance nights, themed ‘the Root’, ‘The Buds of Life’, ‘Shades of Colours’ and ‘Setting Sail’, all of which will be live broadcast on the Viet Nam Television channel.

The opening ceremony on 1 June will see the competition between Viet Nam and Russia, followed by Brazil and Belgium on 8 June, Finland and Italy on 15 June, the UK and China on 22 June.

The best two teams will compete in the grand finale night on 6 July.

Vietnamese meritorious artiste Do Thanh Hai, the DIFF 2019's General Director

Another different point is that the main outdoor stage will look like a vivid picture reminiscent of the image of rivers, and modern visual effects will stir new emotions amongst the audience.

In particular, the stage of every single firework display night is to be breathed new life and creativity, and further awakened with vibrant and peculiar arts performances joined by a large number of domestic famous singers and dancers, especially such top pop stars as Da Nang-born My Tam, Hong Nhung, Tung Duong, Uyen Linh, and Ha Anh Tuan.

One of the most vibrant and expected event on the sidelines of the festival is definitely the first-ever national-level joint-performance flashmob show with the topic of ‘Youth Waves’.

The contest will include 3 rounds (short-list, semi-final, final) to select the best 04 teams to participate in the Flashmob Finale at DIFF 2019 (happening 1 week before DIFF Finale night). The winner will perform on DIFF 2019 Finale night.

Another vibrant event is the fascinating street carnival, with performances from national and international artistes, is scheduled to take place from 6.00pm – 8.00pm on 7 Sundays, stretching from 26 May – 7 July, along a section of Bach Dang, one of the most beautiful and busy streets in Da Nang, exactly, between its intersections with Tran Quoc Toan and Ly Tu Trong.