The annual Danang International Fireworks Festival will be cut in half from two months to one this year according to local authorities.

Huynh Van Hung, director of Da Nang’s Department of Culture and Sports, announced at a recent press meeting that the festival would start on June 1 and wrap up on July 6, taking place every Saturday.

"We previously wanted the festival to last throughout the summer holiday in order to attract more tourists, but it had created difficulties for the organisers," Hung explained.

Competing in this year's festival, themed Stories by the Rivers, eight teams from Italy, Russia, Brazil, Belgium, Finland, the UK, China and Vietnam will present pyrotechnic displays over five nights with different themes - Origin, Seed, Love, Colors and Going out to Sea.

Vietnam and Russia teams will compete in the opening night on June 1, following by Brazil and Belgium on June 8, Finland and Italy on June 15, and the UK and China on June 22. The best two teams will compete in the finale night on July 6.

The festival will also have other cultural activities including music, street carnivals, dance and art shows along Bach Dang Street.

Entrance tickets are priced from VND300,000 (USD13) to VND1.2 million (USD53).

Speaking at the press conference, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Trung Chinh said the festival is expected to maintain the city’s status as the most attractive tourist destination in the country and the region.

Dtinews