Vietnam, Finland light up Da Nang skies as fireworks festival returns

The opening ceremony started at 8:45 p.m. along the Han River.

The festival was last held in 2019 before Covid threw a spanner in the works.

This year's event has attracted pyrotechnic teams from eight countries, Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Poland, and the U.K. being the others.

Spectators watch from temporary stands built along the Han River. The number of people is limited to 5,000.

Tickets for the festival cost VND800,000-3 million (US$34-128).

The Vietnamese team lit up the night sky with 20-minute displays.

The 2019 champions, Finland, impress the crowds with a spectacular display.

The Finnish team set off fireworks to rock music followed by emotional songs and ending with joyful melodies calling for unity.

Canada and France will go next on June 10, Italy and Australia on June 17 and Poland and the U.K. on June 24.

The finals between the top two teams will be on July 8.

Finnish fireworks glow on a symbol of a carp turning into a dragon by the Han River.

People sit along the banks of the Han River and watch the fireworks performances for free.

First held in 2008 as a two-day competition, the event became a two-month festival in 2017, helping the city cement its status as a leading tourism destination.