DIFF 2026 champion to win US $20,000 in expanded awards lineup
DNO - The Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) 2026 champion will take home a US$20,000 cash prize, a trophy and a certificate.
DIFF raises the stakes with an expanded awards system after a season widely regarded by organisers as the festival's most competitive yet.
In addition to the championship prize, the runner-up will receive US$10,000, a trophy and a certificate, while the Audience Favorite Award, determined by public voting, carries a US$5,000 prize and a certificate.
As reported by the DIFF 2026 Organising Committee, the full list of awards will be announced during the grand finale.
Recognizing the exceptionally high standard of this year's competition, DIFF 2026 organisers have introduced two new awards for the first time: the Creativity Award and the Promising Team Award, each worth US$5,000 and accompanied by a certificate.
The move reflects the jury’s assessment that participating teams have delivered performances that surpassed previous editions in both artistic vision and technical execution.
Major General and musician Nguyen Duc Trinh, President of the Vietnam Musicians’ Association and a member of the DIFF 2026 judging panel, praised the overall quality of the competition.
The standard of this year’s teams has been remarkably high. Almost every competition night surprised the judges. Both China and Portugal have continuously reinvented their performances through innovative concepts, sophisticated techniques and breathtaking visual effects. Their displays reflect how DIFF has grown into a global stage for creativity, where each season sets new artistic benchmarks.
Nguyen Duc Trinh, President of the Vietnam Musicians’ Association and a member of the DIFF 2026 judging panel
The DIFF 2026 grand finale will feature Portugal performing first, followed by China, the two teams that advanced through the preliminary rounds.
Under the theme “United Horizons”, the final promises a spectacular showcase combining cutting-edge pyrotechnic artistry with music and storytelling, reflecting Da Nang’s ambition to strengthen its position as a globally connected destination.
The finale is expected to provide another major boost to Da Nang’s summer tourism season.
Following a series of preliminary nights that attracted large crowds and saw multiple sold-out grandstands, DIFF 2026 continues to reinforce its reputation as one of Asia’s leading cultural and tourism events.
By continuously raising competitive standards and expanding international participation, the festival has evolved far beyond a fireworks contest. It has become a powerful tourism brand that extends visitor stays, enhances the city's global visibility and positions Da Nang as a premier destination for international festivals and major events.