Unsung heroes behind DIFF 2026’s dazzling nights

The hands that light up the sky

For the past four years, programmer Khuong Linh Huy has worked closely with Da Nang’s fireworks team, carefully designing and synchronizing each launch sequence.

His role demands precision, creativity and months of preparation to ensure that every firework explodes at exactly the right moment in harmony with the music and storyline.

For Huy, the reward comes when the night sky lights up exactly as envisioned. The cheers and applause from the crowd, he says, make every challenge worthwhile.

Equally vital are the workers who transform festival plans into reality. Since 2018, Lu Thanh Tung has been part of the team constructing DIFF’s stages and grandstands. The job is far from easy.

Tight deadlines, changing weather conditions and complex foundation work beneath the Han River often require crews to work late into the night, sometimes standing in the water for hours as tides recede.

Yet despite the demanding conditions, their commitment never wavers. They take pride in knowing that their work helps create unforgettable experiences for visitors and residents alike.

Bridging cultures behind the fireworks

Another group of dedicated individuals works quietly behind the scenes to ensure every moment of DIFF runs seamlessly.

Among them are volunteer interpreters, whose role extends far beyond language translation. They serve as vital bridges connecting international teams with organizers, technical advisors and festival staff.

For the second consecutive year, Pham Nguyen Ha My, a postgraduate student in communications in Australia, has returned to DIFF as an interpreter for Nadia Shakira Wong, the Director of Global 2000, the festival’s international fireworks consultancy and technical advisory partner.

Earning the position required passing multiple rounds of rigorous selection, testing not only language proficiency but also professional skills and the ability to perform under pressure.

According to Ha My, the job involves much more than interpreting conversations. Throughout the festival, she accompanies the production team, supports communications with competing fireworks teams, assists media interviews and handles a wide range of unexpected tasks.

Accuracy is essential, particularly in an event where safety remains the highest priority.

Meanwhile, La Thi Huong Giang, a final-year French language education student at the University of Foreign Language Studies, the University of Da Nang, has been working closely with the French team throughout their preparations.

Her responsibilities include facilitating communication between the team and various stakeholders, ensuring that schedules, technical requirements and operational updates are conveyed clearly and efficiently.

To perform effectively, Giang has had to master specialized terminology related to pyrotechnics, installation procedures and safety operations.

As local volunteers, both young women also act as cultural ambassadors, introducing international guests to the stories, traditions and everyday charm of Da Nang.

Through their professionalism, warmth and dedication, these volunteers help create not only a successful festival but also meaningful connections between people, cultures and nations, an often unseen contribution that makes DIFF truly shine on the global stage

As DIFF shines ever brighter on Asia’s festival map, its success belongs not only to the fireworks teams lighting up the night sky but also to the many dedicated individuals working quietly behind the scenes.

Their passion and perseverance turn technical precision into moments of magic, bringing Da Nang’s warmth, creativity and aspirations to audiences from around the world.