The 2025 Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF), running from May 31 to July 12, debuted its opening ceremony on May 31 with the theme "Da Nang – The New Rising Era," celebrating the city’s 50th anniversary of liberation. The event featured two opening teams: host Vietnam (Team Vietnam 1) and defending champion Finland. Team Vietnam presented a 20-minute show with over 5,000 fireworks, blending Vietnamese and international music to create a "symphony of light" that highlighted the city’s coastal identity and cultural heritage. Finland’s performance, inspired by the aurora borealis, used over 15,000 fireworks to deliver a dramatic, high-intensity display that paid tribute to the country’s northern roots.

A standout feature of DIFF 2025 is the integration of AR technology, the first outdoor application of its kind at a Vietnamese fireworks festival. Visitors could use their smartphones to interact with virtual landmarks like the Cham Towers and Cham dances, overlaying digital elements onto the real-world night sky. The opening ceremony also included a musical gala with performances by popular Vietnamese artists such as Tung Duong, Kieu Anh, and Thu Hang, drawing a crowd of 12,000 spectators to the Han River waterfront and thousands more watching from surrounding areas.

The festival, organized by the People’s Committee of Da Nang and supported by the Sun Group, aims to promote the city as a modern cultural and economic hub. It will host six fireworks shows over seven weeks, with teams from Vietnam, Finland, Poland, and other countries participating. Each show will be accompanied by musical performances and light displays, creating a multi-sensory experience for attendees.

Beyond the main festival, DIFF 2025 offers additional attractions like a food court featuring local cuisine and a craft village showcasing traditional Vietnamese arts. The event is expected to draw both domestic and international tourists, further boosting Da Nang’s reputation as a top destination for fireworks enthusiasts.