Da Nang gears up for largest-ever int’l fireworks festival with expanded stage, AR experience

Organizers said the stage for this year’s festival, located along Tran Hung Dao Street on the eastern bank of the Han River, will be the largest in the event’s history.

Covering more than 1,600 square meters, the stage is 60 percent larger than in 2024 and will incorporate advanced performance technology.

The upgraded venue includes five large mechanical domes, with the central dome spanning 21 meters—nearly twice the width of last year’s.

Two side domes and two additional structures along the riverbank will add flexibility and visual depth to the show.

A new LED floor system and upgraded surround sound are also being installed to enhance both the fireworks displays and accompanying live music performances.

For the first time, the festival will integrate augmented reality (AR), allowing goers to access immersive experiences via smartphone.

Each of the six performance nights will feature unique AR journeys, activated by scanning printed tickets with a mobile camera.

The 3D visuals will include synchronized motion graphics, narration, and music, offering what organizers describe as a “second layer of fireworks” over the city.

AR, which overlays digital content onto the real world, has become increasingly common in global entertainment and tourism events, including the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California and Sydney’s New Year’s Eve shows.

Unlike virtual reality, AR enhances physical surroundings without requiring bulky equipment.

DIFF 2025 is organized by the Da Nang People’s Committee in partnership with Vietnam’s major real estate developer Sun Group.

The opening night, set for 8:10 pm on May 31, will be broadcast live on national television channel VTV1.

Ten teams will compete under the theme ‘Da Nang – The New Rising Era,’ including entries from Vietnam, Finland, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Poland, South Korea, Italy, Canada, and China.

The Vietnamese team will open the festival alongside 2024 champion Finland.