DIFF: A typical model for the cooperation of government and businesses

DNVN - On the afternoon of July 21, the Organizing Committee of the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival 2025 (DIFF 2025) announced figures showing the explosion in the number of visitors and revenue of this event as well as the success from the support of local authorities and businesses.

DIFF is constantly improving in scale and scope.

The Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) 2025 attracted over 1.88 million visitors to Da Nang City, a 26% increase compared to the 2024 DIFF season, including nearly 770,000 international visitors. Revenue from accommodation, food, and travel during the two months of the event is estimated at 5,600 billion VND, nearly double that of the 2024 DIFF.

DIFF is becoming increasingly popular.

“The value of this festival cannot be measured in money, but rather in the joy of tourists, the pride of the people of Da Nang, and the cultural and economic values ​​it brings to the city. For us, it is a completely worthwhile investment,” shared Mr. Huynh Nam Thang – Vice Chairman of Sun Group Central Region.

Mr. Sandeep Arya, the Indian Ambassador to Vietnam, said that this was his second time attending DIFF and he noticed that the quality and scale of the festival are constantly improving. He believes that this festival is becoming a major attraction for international tourists, including those from India.

Over the past 13 editions of DIFF, Sun Group's partnership has helped Da Nang City alleviate hundreds of billions of dong in financial burdens each year, sharing the burden from the initial concept to the event's implementation. These six years have also witnessed a completely new look for DIFF, reaching a scale not many developed countries can match.

From a three-night fireworks competition, DIFF 2025 has been upgraded to a two-month-long international fireworks festival in the summer with six nights of performances and 8-10 international teams participating. From a venue without fixed grandstands in 2008, DIFF 2025 boasts 10,200 seats, a stage spanning over 1,600m², world-class sound and lighting technology, and a professional logistics system for fireworks teams from across the continents.

The DIFF 2025 stage meets international standards.

Along with that, a series of well-organized accompanying events created a "sleepless summer" in the central coastal city. Beyond just fireworks displays, DIFF also enlivened the atmosphere with a series of accompanying events such as a grand music festival, vibrant street performances, art exhibitions, and a range of activities at Da Nang Downtown, Sun World Ba Na Hills, My Khe Beach, and more.

The private sector not only finances but also creates opportunities for DIFF.

Nadia Shakira Wong, CEO of Global 2000, a leading global fireworks consulting firm, assessed that DIFF 2025 has become the largest fireworks festival in the world, potentially even eligible for a Guinness World Record. However, attracting millions of dollars in investment for an international fireworks festival is no easy feat.

Encouraging private sector participation in sharing the financial burden and elevating the status of fireworks festivals is a way for major cities around the world to solve this problem. In the Philippines, the Philippine International Pyromusical Competition (PIPC), initiated by La Mancha Group International in 2010, has attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors to Manila, boosting revenue from hotels, restaurants, and a range of services for local tourism.

In South Korea, the Seoul International Fireworks Festival is a large-scale annual fireworks festival that attracts over 1 million spectators each year, significantly boosting tourism and commerce within Seoul. The success of this fireworks festival is attributed to the Hanwha Group.

Sun Group has contributed to creating many vibrant events for DIFF.

For Da Nang, DIFF is a prime example of the involvement of the local government and investment from the private sector. In fact, Sun Group's participation has not only been a sponsor but also a driving force behind DIFF's success.

To ensure the sustainable development of DIFF, Da Nang City has established a clear strategy: to transform the festival into the central hub within the ecosystem of tourism, trade, and entertainment events. More than just a fireworks festival, DIFF now plays a central role in connecting a chain of satellite events to boost the night-time economy and MICE tourism events. From grand concerts and art shows to boat tours, street activities, and night-time culinary experiences, these events extend the length of stay and increase tourist spending.

Recently, Da Nang City officially approved the land auction plan to implement the International Fireworks Festival Complex project, with a total estimated investment of up to 10,750 billion VND, aiming to make Da Nang the "world's fireworks destination". Currently, the city is inviting bids for the consulting package to prepare the basic design and total investment for the construction of shared infrastructure at the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival Complex.

According to the Vice Chairman of the Da Nang City People's Committee, Nguyen Thi Anh Thi: "In the next five years, DIFF will not only be an art event but also a strategic driving force for the night-time economy, tourism, and the city's brand." To achieve that expectation, in addition to the decisive efforts of the local government, the collaboration of pioneering businesses will be a crucial piece in the tourism ecosystem, helping Da Nang become a global destination.

Hai Chau

Source: https://doanhnghiepvn.vn/doanh-nhan/diff-mo-hinh-tieu-bieu-cho-su-dong-hanh-cua-chinh-quyen-va-doanh-nghiep/20250721025431982