Since May 30, Da Nang has been hosting its world-famous international fireworks festival, one of the summer’s biggest highlights in Asia. After five nights of competition, two teams will battle it out for the title on July 11: defending champion China and challenger Portugal.

A river turned into an open-air stage

Every summer, the Han River becomes a spectacular stage under the night sky. The Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF 2026), organized by the Da Nang People’s Committee in partnership with Sun Group, brings together ten teams from eight countries and territories this year: Vietnam (two teams), China, France, Japan, Italy, Germany, Macau, Australia and Portugal.

A festival built on ambition

DIFF 2026 is held under the theme “Da Nang – United Horizons,” a message the city says reflects its vision of becoming a dynamic destination open to culture, tourism, creativity, and international cooperation. Over two decades, the festival has grown into a major driver of tourism for this coastal city and it was recently named by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the nine summer festivals not to miss in the world.

Each of the six competition nights takes place every Saturday from 8:00 to 9:00 PM, launched from the Han riverside port and viewed from grandstands along Tran Hung Dao Avenue. Every evening explores its own theme: Nature, Heritage, Culture, Creativity and Vision before the grand finale returns to the festival’s overarching theme.

China and Portugal face off in the finale on July 11

After five qualifying rounds, the DIFF jury made up of artists and experts advised by international consultancy Global2000- selected the two finalist teams based on criteria including originality of concept, creativity of pyrotechnic effects, synchronization with music, and overall emotional impact:

• China (Jiangxi Yangfeng Art Fireworks Display Co., Ltd), the reigning 2025 champion, returns with a performance titled “Flower of the Orient,” praised for its technical mastery, scale, and luminous storytelling.
• Portugal (Macedos Pirotecnia Lda), winner of the 2025 Creativity Award, made a strong impression by sketching the silhouette of a Vietnamese bamboo hedge across the sky, set to the patriotic song Dong Mau Lac Hong.

The grand finale, themed “United Horizons,” kicks off at 8:10 PM on Saturday, July 11. Following the official draw, Portugal will open the show, followed by China. Winners will be announced that same evening, with $20,000 awarded to the champion and $10,000 to the runner-up.