If there’s one night Da Nang feels larger than life, it’s when the sky erupts in color and the Han River mirrors a thousand sparks. But beneath that spectacle is another thrill: the quiet race to catch “the shot” — the one frame that holds the noise, the rhythm, and the heartbeat of the city. That’s the world photographer Nguyen Van Nhi Trinh knows well.
After four seasons covering the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF), Trinh has learned that photographing fireworks isn’t just about shutter speeds and tripods — it’s about instinct, timing, and telling a fuller story than what’s in the sky.
Fireworks over the Han River, Da NangPhoto: Nguyen Van Nhi Trinh
The Craft Behind the Spark: How Pros “Hunt” Fireworks
Technique matters — but feel matters more
Long exposure is the backbone of great fireworks photography, but the real magic comes from sensing the pace of the display. Not every burst is a keeper. Trinh reads the rhythm — when a sequence is building, peaking, or fading — and adjusts accordingly. It’s less about a fixed formula and more about reacting in the moment.
Quick-start settings (adjust to taste and conditions):
- Manual mode, tripod, and a remote release
- ISO 100–200 for clean files
- Aperture around f/8–f/16 for sharpness and depth
- Shutter: 2–6 seconds (or Bulb) to draw clean trails without blowing highlights
- Manual focus, pre-focused to infinity or on a distant structure
- Turn off in-body stabilization when on a tripod
Find the “golden angles”
Grandstands and riverbanks along the Han River are prime vantage points. They offer a clean view of the sky while letting you pull in city elements — bridges, boats, skylines — to add depth and narrative. Fireworks alone are pretty; fireworks with place and scale are unforgettable.
Photographer Nguyen Van Nhi Trinh at workPhoto: Nguyen Van Nhi Trinh
Managing the hardest part: light that never sits still
Every volley differs in brightness and color. A second too long and highlights blow; a second too short and trails look clipped. Trinh treats each night as a fresh challenge, dialing exposure on the fly and watching for transitions, not just the “big bangs.” His mindset: adapt, don’t assume.
Framing the city with lightPhoto: Nguyen Van Nhi Trinh
Teamwork makes better pictures (and better viewing)
Behind the scenes, photographers coordinate with organizers to secure responsible shooting positions that don’t obstruct the audience or the show. Trinh and peers also document the backstage pulse — crews prepping, teams rehearsing, streets warming up — to capture the festival beyond the fireworks.
Don’t forget the ground story
Some of the most powerful frames aren’t in the sky at all. Trinh chases the human moments: the hush before ignition, the gasp when the first volley blooms, kids’ faces wide with wonder. He also makes a point to honor the people keeping everyone safe — security, medical teams, and staff — whose quiet work shapes the night’s joy. That’s how you tell the full DIFF story, not just the highlight reel. Curious about the broader festival vibe? Explore festival updates at diff.vn.
Waiting, watching, and then—wowPhoto: Nguyen Van Nhi Trinh
Four Seasons With DIFF: From Serendipity to Obsession
The pull of DIFF
Trinh has photographed DIFF across four different seasons. Each year, the event has grown — stronger lineups, more cohesive staging, and deeper creative vision. For shooters, it’s a dream: world-class pyrotechnics, dramatic backdrops, and an audience that lives every spark.
What felt different in 2025
Compared with previous seasons, DIFF 2025 stepped up in polish and artistry. Trinh was especially impressed by Z121 Vina Pyrotech — representing Vietnam’s Ministry of Defense in their first appearance on the international stage — for crafting a sequence that felt both technically fresh and emotionally rich, unmistakably Vietnamese in spirit. For a photojournalist, those are the nights that make the long hours worth it. See highlights and recaps from the 2025 showcases at diff.vn.
The city as a co-starPhoto: Nguyen Van Nhi Trinh
Why he keeps coming back — and hopes for what’s next
Every DIFF season tells new stories in light: new techniques, new pacing, new ways teams choreograph emotion in the sky. That creative evolution keeps Trinh returning. Looking ahead, he hopes DIFF continues investing in teams with distinct artistic voices and grows the stage design to match its global stature — a festival that’s equally irresistible to travelers and creators.
Field Notes: Practical Tips for Your Next Fireworks Shoot
- Scout in daylight: Plan your frame, foreground, and exit route before the crowds arrive.
- Compose for story: Include bridges, people, or reflections to ground your image in place.
- Start safe, then push: Nail a clean base exposure; experiment once you’ve got keepers.
- Mind etiquette: Don’t block views, keep tripods tidy, and mute your shutter if possible.
- Pack smart: Extra batteries, a microfiber cloth, rain cover, and a stable tripod are non-negotiables.
- Stay aware: Follow local guidance and give space to security and medical teams.
One City, a Thousand Bursts, and the Frame You Remember
Great fireworks images aren’t accidents. They’re a dance between timing, technique, and empathy for the crowd and crews who make the night happen. As Trinh’s seasons at DIFF show, the best photos hold more than light trails — they hold the feeling of being there.
Planning to catch the next finale or dive deeper into the festival’s stories? Keep an eye on the official updates and schedules at diff.vn.