Germany, Macau dazzle spectators in Da Nang on DIFF 2026 ‘Creativity’ night

Following the strong appeal of the first three competition nights, the DIFF grandstands and many roads along the Han River were once again packed with spectators eager to watch the two teams compete.

While the first three nights took audiences through stories of nature, heritage, and culture, the fourth night opened a world of imagination, where creative ideas were brought to life through technology, music, and fireworks.

The evening began with Germany’s Steffes-Ollig Feuerwerke GmbH & Co. KG, which presented its performance titled 'Pyrographics.'

Making its DIFF debut, the team, which boasts a history spanning more than 150 years, transformed the sky above the Han River into a giant 'canvas of fire' painted with thousands of fireworks effects.

Showcasing its strengths in structure and precision, the German team created successive layers of golden willow fireworks, glittering crown effects, silver brush-like bursts, and multi-stage star-breaking displays.

Each effect was carefully programmed to match every beat of the accompanying music, creating the impression of luminous brushstrokes moving across the night sky.

Spectators repeatedly expressed their admiration as golden fireworks blossomed overhead before cascading softly toward the river, followed by multi-layered sequences synchronized almost perfectly with the soundtrack.

Beyond technical excellence, the German team demonstrated a modern approach to choreography by combining fireworks with symphonic rock, electronic music, and emotionally rich film scores, repeatedly driving the atmosphere in the grandstands to a climax.

If Germany impressed audiences with precision and power, Macau's Apple Pyrotechnics Co., Ltd offered a cinematic journey through its performance titled 'Celestial Journey to the West.'

Inspired by the classic Chinese novel 'Journey to the West,' the Macau team transported spectators into a familiar mythical world through a combination of symphonic music, electronic sounds, and water-based fireworks effects — a specialty that has helped establish its reputation on the international stage.

Musical pieces evoking memorable scenes from the movie accompanied fan-shaped fireworks, color-changing effects, cascading light displays, and golden willow bursts reflected on the waters of the Han River, creating a dreamlike atmosphere reminiscent of a celestial realm.

Beyond the visual spectacle, many spectators were fascinated by the contrasting storytelling styles presented by the two teams.

Germany delivered a highly modern and meticulously synchronized performance, while Macau captivated audiences with imaginative storytelling and cinematic emotion.

The fourth competition night also featured a lively music festival with performances by singers Muoii and Hoang Long, the Golden Lotus Buds children’s group, and hundreds of artists and dancers.

Singer Trong Hieu, who has Vietnamese and German roots, energized the stage with dynamic performances that further reflected the creative spirit.

After four competition nights, DIFF 2026 has continued to affirm its status as one of the region’s leading fireworks festivals while serving as a major driver of Da Nang’s summer tourism.

Accommodation establishments across the city welcomed more than 326,000 guest stays during the first three competition nights, up 36.7 percent year on year.

International visitors accounted for more than 136,000 stays, an increase of 33.7 percent, while domestic visitors totaled nearly 190,000, up 38.9 percent.

Average room occupancy across the city exceeded 70 percent, around 20 percentage points higher than the same period last year.

During the third competition night alone, accommodation facilities recorded nearly 115,000 guest stays, with room occupancy reaching 75 percent, further highlighting DIFF’s growing appeal among both domestic and international travelers.

The remaining DIFF 2026 competition schedule includes Australia versus Portugal on June 27 under the theme 'Vision,' followed by the final night on July 11.