Da Nang is well-known as one of the most attractive coastal cities in Vietnam. This beautiful city attracts visitors not only because of its beautiful scenery but also thanks to a series of festivals taking place all year round.
Here are the top 6 unique Danang festivals you must visit once.
1. Da Nang International Fireworks Festival
The most famous festival in Da Nang is the International Fireworks Festival.
Da Nang Fireworks Festival was first held in March 2008 and has been maintained up to the present, except in 2020 and 2021, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Each year, the festival brings a different theme, often held in April or June.
After more than 15 years of being held, the fireworks festival has now become an indispensable cultural feature of this beautiful city.
However, this year 2024, this festival has been organized for a long time, from the beginning of June to the middle of July.
On the evening of June 8, 2024, in Da Nang City, the opening of the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival – DIFF 2024 officially took place.
Danang International Fireworks Festival 2024 has the participation of 8 competing teams, including France, Italy, USA, Germany, Poland, China, Finland, and the host team Da Nang Vietnam.
The main theme of this year’s fireworks competition is: “MADE IN UNITY – Global Connection, Radiance on Five Continents.”
The program lasts from June 8 to July 13, divided into 5 official competition nights, with 5 specific themes for each night.
| Date | Team | Topic |
| 8 June | Vietnam & France | Cultural Quintessence |
| 15 June | Italia & the USA | Natural Masterpiece |
| 22 June | Germany & Poland | Magical Love |
| 29 June | China & Finland | Wonderland |
| 13 July | The two best teams | Future Feats |
The main festival stage is set up at the harbor region on the west bank of the Han River, on Bach Dang Street. On the east bank of the Han River, opposite the fireworks display across the river, is a standing area serving tourists and people to enjoy the art of fireworks performance.
2. Carnival Festival
A trip to Da Nang will become more attractive than ever if you have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the jubilant atmosphere of the Carnaval Street festival.
This unique street parade is part of the International Fireworks Festival. This event takes place in the evening on Bach Dang Road, along the Han River.
You will have the opportunity to join in the sounds and colors of the exciting activities.
Ornately decorated flower cars make the whole street jubilant. Dozens of international dancers dressed in colorful costumes marched together, occasionally stopping to show off special performances along the way.
3. Cau Ngu Festival
The next special Da Nang festival is the Cau Ngu festival, a traditional festival. Cau Ngu festival has existed for a long time and is an indispensable custom of coastal residents in Da Nang.
The Cau Ngu ceremony usually takes place in the first lunar month every year in Thanh Khe Dong ward.
The local people will hold a ceremony to pray for peace, remember the deceased, and pray for a year of favorable rain and wind for fishing activities to take place smoothly.
At the end of the ceremony, the festival is opened with singing and dancing activities, connecting the spirit of the people in the sea.
Over the years, the Cau Ngu festival of the coastal Da Nang city has been recognized as a national intangible culture.
4. Avalokitesvara Festival
Avalokitesvara Festival (Quan The Am festival) in the Marble Mountains has a strong folk feature, contributing to enriching the list of Danang festivals.
The Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son in Vietnamese) is known as the sacred land of Buddhism, the Quan The Am festival held there is considered an opportunity to spread and introduce spiritual cultural values.
This solemn festival usually takes place in the second lunar month every year, lasting for a few days.
During these days, a lot of activities are organized and attract a large number of tourists, including a Buddhist art exhibition, poetry exchange, most importantly, the procession of Avalokitesvara statue…
The Avalokitesvara Festival has indeed helped to preserve and spread the beauty of the spiritual culture of the nation in modern life.
5. Pastoral Procession Festival
Pastoral procession festival (Lễ Hội Mục Đồng in Vietnamese) is for children herding buffalo, which is held in Phong Le village, Hoa Chau, Hoa Vang, Da Nang City, at the end of the third lunar month.
The story originated from an ancient story about the typical grass dune in Phong Le village. The villagers thought the grass dune was where the god lived. Thus, no one dared to stop there.
One day, the buffalos moved to the grass dune while gazing at the grass. So, the children followed to keep the buffalos, and nothing happened with them when they came to that holy grass dune.
Since then, there has been a rumor that God’s dune only allows buffalo children to approach.
That strange story, after many generations gradually formed a festival dedicated to the buffalo children, called the pastoral procession festival (Le Ruoc Muc Dong).
The meaning of this festival is to pray for a year of favorable weather and a good harvest.
Coming there, you will see many artifacts and offerings prepared in advance to offer to the gods and send wishes.
Moreover, you can also see girls and boys in buffalo herder costumes in the past, playing in the fields.
6. Boat racing festival
Traveling to Da Nang at the beginning of the lunar new year, you will have the opportunity to join in the atmosphere of the boat racing festival on the Han River.
This boat racing is one of the exciting activities in Da Nang, and that is also an opportunity to strengthen teamwork, also a chance to exchange feelings between people in Da Nang and nearby regions.
Organized in the form of a competition, more than 100 contestants from different areas gather to compete in this city.
The dragon boats of the teams are firmly designed and prominently decorated, ready for racing.
As well as a special spiritual activity, the people there also send their wishes for a prosperous and favorable new year on this festival.
Up to now, the boat racing festival is one of the local traditional festivals attracting hundreds of tourists coming to Da Nang every year.
With the 6 attractive festivals in Da Nang mentioned above, Hue Flavor hopes your holidays come on the right days of one of these festivals. Then, you can join the lively activities organized at the festival.
If you need more help or advice on planning the trip to Da Nang City, please tell us your requests!
