Even a summer downpour couldn’t dim the glow over the Han River. On June 28, the last qualifying night of the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) 2025 wrapped with a bang—literally—as South Korea and Italy lit up the sky in a fierce, artful duel. More than 10,000 spectators packed the stands, from local families and travelers to a few famous football names, all soaking in a night where technology, music, and pyrotechnic mastery took center stage.
The theme that tied it all together: Technology in the lead
This fifth competition night—also the final in the qualifiers—ran with the theme “Technology Leads,” and it truly felt like a curated journey. Despite the rain, both teams choreographed fireworks with precision, rhythm, and no shortage of surprises, turning the Han River into a stage where light and sound told vivid stories.
South Korea’s “Dragon Takes Flight” meets a G-Dragon drop
South Korea’s newcomer Faseecom made one heck of an entrance. Inspired by Da Nang’s iconic Dragon and the city’s modern energy, their show “Dance of the Flying Dragon” blended cinematic storytelling with tight technical execution.
South Korea lights up the Han River
From the opening bars of a bright, brassy fanfare, the sky blossomed with soft, carefully layered shells. The pacing was thoughtful—each transition smooth, each color choice deliberate—building that delicious slow-burn anticipation.
Layers of color and motion
Then came the twist: the team dropped a rap segment set to G-Dragon’s Home Sweet Home, and the tempo shifted. Golds and electric blues punched upward in rapid, syncopated bursts. The crowd? Roaring.
Punchy rhythms, electric palette
They closed with Undefeated, a statement piece if there ever was one—thick volleys of shells unfurling in waves, sketching the silhouette of a dragon soaring free. It was bold, modern, and unmistakably Korean in its artistic language.
A dragon across the sky
A visitor from Hanoi summed it up with a grin: “It felt like a concert in the sky—music pulsing through the stands, fireworks dancing on every beat. I’m already plotting my return.”
Italy’s sky maestros conduct a Symphony of Light
Italy’s Martarello Group S.R.L—seasoned, confident, and inventive—took the crowd on a visual odyssey with “Symphony of Light – Opening the Future.” Think rock riffs, cinematic swells, and then—because they can—smooth detours into jazz and opera.
Italy opens big—and keeps going
From the first hit, high aerial shells detonated with a razor-sharp cadence to tracks like Blood Sport and Aphelion. The effect? A heartbeat for the city.
Crisp timing, rich texture
Midway, a jazzy mood lifted the tone. Chasing comets of color arced and drizzled like waterfalls. When the show wove in Vietnamese favorites such as Chuyện cũ bỏ qua and Bống Bống Bang Bang, you could feel the stands sway—fireworks literally “dancing” along.
From rock to jazz to opera—seamless
The finale? A goosebump-inducing cascade to Andrea Bocelli’s Time to Say Goodbye, with wing-fan effects opening wide, water jets rising, and a final storm of multi-colored aerials that blanketed the night.
A finale that lingered
One Da Nang local laughed as the crowd exhaled: “Italy never comes light. This year’s field is stacked though—Vietnam’s Z121, Portugal, China… We’ve already grabbed tickets for the final.”
The party didn’t stop at the riverbank
Beyond the sky, the stage on the Han River waterfront brought its own heat. Powerhouse vocalist Duong Hoang Yen and singer Le Anh Dung delivered soaring performances, while dancesport star Hoang My An and a troupe of top dancers dialed the energy up between the pyrotechnic sets.
Stage energy to match the sky
Voices that carried over the water
Judges’ take: a stacked year, tough choices ahead
Composer Nguyen Duc Trinh, on the DIFF 2025 jury, praised the overall standard: every team brought serious craft, with no weak links in the mix. He noted Vietnam’s Z121 Vina Pyrotech as a breakout crowd favorite, while seasoned squads—Italy, China, Finland, Poland—remained rock solid. The jury will weigh both technical analysis and the public’s emotional response to decide the finalists.
What’s next
- Finalists announced: Afternoon of June 29
- Grand finale: 20:10 on July 12, broadcast live on VTV1 (Vietnam Television)
If you’re heading out for the final:
- Arrive early—seats and riverbank viewing spots fill fast.
- Pack a light raincoat just in case. Weather happens; DIFF magic still follows.
- Let your phone rest. Some moments are better with your eyes than your lens.
Whether you watched under a poncho or from a rooftop, the message was the same: in Da Nang, technology and artistry don’t just meet—they dance. And the grand finale is primed to raise the bar yet again.