The Vietnam Guides

Da Nang Fireworks Festival 2026: Germany vs Macau on 20 June

· 3 min read Travel News
Da Nang beachfront and Han River at night in central Vietnam

Contents

  1. How the festival works
  2. Getting to the best viewing spots
  3. Combining with Hoi An
  4. Accommodation

The Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) 2026 is running every Saturday night along the Han River from 30 May to 11 July, and two of the most anticipated competition nights are still to come. Germany takes on Macau on 20 June, followed by Australia vs Portugal on 27 June. Both performances are free to watch from public riverside areas.

How the festival works

Each Saturday night, two countries’ pyrotechnic teams stage competing displays above the Han River in Da Nang, judged on creativity, synchronisation with music, and technical execution. Performances begin after dark and last approximately 25 minutes. While general riverside viewing is free, ticketed grandstand seats at Sunworld Ba Na Hills and official festival zones offer closer vantage points and reserved seating. Grandstand tickets range from approximately VND 200,000 to VND 600,000 (USD 8–24) and can be purchased at diff.vn or through authorised resellers in Da Nang’s city centre.

Scoring is carried out by a panel of judges including representatives from the International Pyrotechnic Society. Previous DIFF editions have seen France and Italy claim multiple titles - Germany and Macau both enter 2026 as first-time participants at the full DIFF competition level, which adds an element of unpredictability to the 20 June night.

Getting to the best viewing spots

The displays launch from over the river near Dragon Bridge and the My Khe Beach promenade. Riverside areas fill from early evening, so we suggest arriving by 7pm to secure a position. The Dragon Bridge itself offers a central vantage point for watching displays reflected across the water - and on the 20 June night the bridge’s fire-breathing and LED performance runs before the fireworks begin. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are the most reliable way in and out; traffic around the bridge area clears within about an hour of the display ending.

Alternative free viewing spots include the Tran Hung Dao riverside boulevard, stretching south of Dragon Bridge, and the Han River Bridge pedestrian lane further north. Both offer elevated sightlines without the ticketed seating zones between you and the launch point.

Combining with Hoi An

Many visitors pair the festival with a stay in Hoi An, roughly 30 km south of Da Nang. The lantern-lit ancient town makes an excellent base for day trips to Da Nang on competition Saturdays, and its quieter pace contrasts well with the festival crowds. A taxi or private car between the two cities takes about 40 minutes. Budget shuttle buses run this corridor regularly and cost around VND 50,000–80,000 per person. For Da Nang tours and activities beyond the fireworks - including Marble Mountains, Ba Na Hills, and My Son Sanctuary - browse in advance to avoid sold-out slots on festival weekends.

Accommodation

Hotels along My Khe Beach and close to Dragon Bridge sell out quickly on festival weekends. If you have not yet secured accommodation for 20 or 27 June, we suggest looking at central Da Nang, or booking from a Hoi An base and arranging an evening transfer. Prices typically spike within 48 hours of each competition night, and last-minute rooms in prime locations can cost two to three times standard rates. Staying in Hoi An and taking a taxi north for the show is often the most cost-effective approach for travellers who left bookings late.

The full DIFF schedule, ticket links, and artist profiles are at diff.vn. For travel conditions across Vietnam in late June and early July, our Vietnam in June guide covers regional weather, crowds, and what to do if a competition night is affected by weather.