The organising committee of the 2017 Da Nang International Fireworks Festival has reserved a cuisine space on an area of 4,000sqm as a rendezvous point for gastronomer and tourists visiting the city.

Master Chef Pham Tuan Hai will offer food at the cuisine centre in Da Nang during the International Fireworks Festival

According to Master Chef Pham Tuan Hai, the cuisine centre aims to promote the Da Nang International fireworks festival between April 30 and June 24. It will remain open throughout the summer, until September.

The cuisine centre at No 1 Phan Dang Luu Street, near the city’s biggest entertainment centre, Asia Park, will have space for 4,000 visitors tasting Vietnamese and local specialties, including vegetarian food.

“We also set up five food zones, each based on one of the five basic elements – metal, wood, water, fire and earth – serving bbq, street food, local traditional food from the north, central and south regions of Vietnam,” Hai said.

“It’s like a miniature Vietnamese food destination where gastronomers and tourists explore the most delicious food the country has to offer,” he said.

He said the best restaurants and hotels are invited to serve at the centre.

According to organisers, the centre will also offer entertainment activities and fun games for tourists all day.

Also during the fireworks festival, five hot-air balloons will fly in the sky of Da Nang from April 27 to 30. The organisers will use the balloons and paragliding pilots to release confetti on the opening night on April 30.

Eight teams – from Austria, Italy, Australia, United Kingdom, Switzerland, China, Japan and host Vietnam – will compete in five performances on the Han River over a two-month period.

Host Da Nang and Fireevent Die Feuerwerker from Austria will perform on the opening night, while the Tamaya Katahara Fireworks team from Japan and Sugyp from Switzerland will do the second night on May 20.

China’s Dancing Fireworks Group and Pyrotex Fireworx team from the UK will feature in the third night performance on May 27. Howard&Sons Pyrotechnics from Australia and Italy’s Martarello will stage the fourth night performance on June 3rd.

The best teams will compete in the final rounds on June 24. The festival is expected to draw over two million tourists.

Chef Pierre Gagnaire to cook in Da Nang

Three-star Michelin chef Pierre Gagnaire will cook in Da Nang for one week from April 29 till May 5 at the InterContinental Da Nang Sun Peninsula Resort.

Da Nang, Hanoi and HCM City are regular destinations for Pierre’s annual world cooking tour.

“I came to Da Nang for the first time in the late 1990s. The city, which was so fascinated with pristine beach and fishing villages, has seen rapid urbanisation and development with beach hotels and resorts,” Pierre said.

“I love phở (rice noodle with beef) so much, and shopping for ingredients and seafood at Da Nang’s Hàn market,” he said.

The legendary chef will bring his takes on classic French haute cuisine to a setting rich with intrigue. Guests can enjoy a memorable dinner with La Maison 1888’s special set menu while chef Pierre will share the secrets behind the Michelin starred kitchen. 

VNA/VNS