If you’ve ever stood on Da Nang’s riverfront during DIFF and felt the boom ripple through your chest, you already know: this isn’t just a fireworks show. It’s a living canvas. And while the sky roars, the ground hums too—tripods click open, shutters whisper, and a quiet army of photographers chases that once-in-a-night frame.
Among them is Nguyen Van Nhi Trinh, a familiar name in Da Nang’s photography community. With four seasons shooting DIFF, and a first-prize win in the “Da Nang – Light of the New Era” online competition (round 2), Trinh doesn’t just take pictures—he tells the festival’s story. As DIFF 2025 heads into its grand finale, he shares what keeps him returning, what it really takes to photograph fireworks well, and why this festival is more than sparks in the sky.
Rực rỡ sông Hàn – Photo by Nguyen Van Nhi Trinh
“Hunting” Fireworks: The Quiet Craft Behind the Lens
The real secret: feel the rhythm, not just the settings
You’ll hear photographers talk about exposure, ISO, and shutter speeds—and yes, they matter. But Trinh is adamant: great fireworks photos start with timing and intuition. Fireworks don’t show their best at the first burst. You need patience, observation, and a feel for the choreography to catch the moment when the sky, reflections, and crowd energy all line up.
- Best vantage points? The official stands and the riverbank along the Han River consistently offer clean sightlines. They also let you pull in the cityscape for foreground and depth—key to making images feel immersive rather than flat.
Nguyen Van Nhi Trinh
The hardest challenge: light that never sits still
No two volleys are the same. Colors change, intensity changes, smoke density shifts with the wind. If you expose too long, you blow highlights; too short, and you lose the trails that make fireworks sing. Trinh’s bottom line: there isn’t a single “correct” recipe—just responsive control.
A practical approach many pros use:
- Manual mode with Bulb or multi-second exposures (typically 1–6 seconds)
- Low ISO (100–200) to protect highlights and retain color
- Aperture around f/8–f/16 for crisp trails
- Tripod + cable release/remote to avoid shake
- Watch your histogram and adjust between sequences
- Don’t be afraid to shorten exposures when a volley feels hot or layer multiple shorter bursts in post rather than risking a blown frame
Photo by Nguyen Van Nhi Trinh
Teamwork makes the magic
Shooting DIFF isn’t solo heroics. Photographers coordinate with organizers to secure workable positions without blocking audience views. Beyond the pyrotechnics, the backstage rhythm matters too—prep work, stage details, the build of anticipation in the city. The goal is bigger than one spectacular shot: it’s to tell DIFF’s story in full.
Don’t forget the people
Trinh loves the human moments: kids gripping railings, couples counting down, the collective gasp when the first volley blooms. And he never overlooks the quiet heroes—security, medics, and staff—who keep the festival safe and smooth. Those frames ground the spectacle in real life.
Photo by Nguyen Van Nhi Trinh
Four Seasons with DIFF: From Chance to Devotion
Trinh has followed DIFF for four years now. What drew him in—and kept him coming back—was the steady rise in quality. As teams leveled up, so did the storytelling potential. For photographers who crave energy, color, and scale, DIFF is unmissable.
DIFF 2025: A Leap in Craft and Cohesion
This season feels different. The lineup is more balanced; the shows don’t just flex technique—they carry narrative weight. One performance that stood out for Trinh: Z121 Vina Pyrotech. It’s the first time a representative from Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defense stepped onto DIFF’s international stage, and they delivered a piece that felt innovative yet distinctly Vietnamese—full of emotion, modern technique, and national character.
Photo by Nguyen Van Nhi Trinh
Why He’ll Be Back—and What He Hopes Comes Next
DIFF reinvents itself. New artistic ideas, fresh staging, bolder musical choices—every year brings a different heartbeat. Looking forward, Trinh hopes to see:
- Continued investment in high-caliber teams with strong artistic identities
- Bigger, smarter staging and viewing spaces for richer visuals
- A strong global pull that still preserves DIFF’s unmistakable Da Nang flavor
Shooting DIFF Yourself? A Friendly Cheat Sheet
- Scout early: Walk the riverbank in daylight to plan sightlines, exits, and backup spots.
- Respect the crowd: Don’t set up where you’ll block views. Tripod legs are not elbows!
- Compose with context: Include bridges, buildings, or silhouettes to add scale and story.
- Anticipate the crescendo: Save buffer and battery for finales; they’re brighter and busier.
- Mind the wind: Smoke drifts with it—shoot upwind if you can for cleaner trails.
- Pack smart: Tripod, remote, microfiber cloth, spare batteries/cards, rain cover.
- Safety first: Watch your footing, protect your gear near water, and follow event guidelines.
- Shoot the soul: Crowd reactions, performers, staff, and quiet moments before/after the show complete your narrative.
Final Frame
Fireworks fade; good stories don’t. That’s why photographers like Nguyen Van Nhi Trinh keep returning to the Han River—to catch not just the light, but the feeling. If DIFF 2025 is any sign, the festival’s future is bright, layered, and worth every click.