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DNO - The Festival of Light & Heritage 2026, a large-scale cultural, artistic, and technological experience series, officially opened on March 4 at the Hoi An Memories Island.
The event drew large crowds of domestic and international visitors for a high-tech spectacle set against the backdrop of one of Vietnam’s most storied heritage towns.
The highlight of the opening night was a drone performance recreating the iconic dragon and phoenix in the night sky over Hoi An.
Hundreds of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), equipped with lantern-inspired lighting, formed intricate patterns symbolizing prosperity and harmony in Vietnamese culture.
It marked the first time such imagery has been presented in Hoi An using large-scale drone technology, culminating in an artistic fireworks display that illuminated the historic urban landscape.
The opening show highlighted a multi-sensory experience blending cutting-edge technology with traditional aesthetics.
Modern drone choreography was seamlessly integrated with large-scale lantern installations, stage performances and heritage-inspired storytelling.
On the ground, the festival space was designed around the theme “Shuinsen - A Heritage Canvas,” inspired by Hoi An’s flourishing maritime trade in in the past.
“Chau An Thuyen” (Shuinsen), which were Japanese merchant ships bound for Southeast Asian ports with red-sealed letters issued by the early Tokugawa Shogunate in the first half of the 17th century.
The Shuinsen is a symbol of Vietnam-Japan culture. It is a gift from Japan’s Nagasaki Prefecture presented to Hoi An to demonstrate the strong friendship between the two localities and nations over the past 400 years.
Under the message “Illuminating Vietnamese Culture”, this year’s edition is the first to combine large-scale lantern art, drone performances and hands-on experiences of traditional craft villages in a single festival format.
The programme aims to retell the story of historic Faifo using the language of light and modern technology, while offering immersive cultural engagement for visitors.
The festival will feature themed weeks dedicated to silk (March 10 - 23) and ceramics (March 24 - April 13), along with a closing ceremony on April 30 that includes sky lantern and floating lantern rituals. Craft experience zones and handicraft shopping areas are also part of the programme.
According to the organisers, the Hoi An Memories Island welcomed more than 600,000 visitors in 2025. In 2026, it plans to host three major festivals, with the Light and Heritage Festival positioned as the flagship event, expected to boost visitor numbers by 20 - 30%.
The event also aligns with broader tourism targets set by Da Nang, which aims to receive 19.1 million visitors in 2026, including an estimated 7.86 million international arrivals.