Fireworks competition to light up Danang

Five firework teams from the US, Japan, Portugal, France and Vietnam will compete in the third Danang International Fireworks Competition to be held March 27-28. The competition, which attracted 60,000 people to the seaside tourist destination last year, is themed “Legend of the Han River” this year.
It has also been chosen as one of the events to mark the 1000th anniversary of Hanoi this year.
The participating teams include Pyrotecnico of the US, Luso Pirotecnia Group of Portugal, Jacques Couturier Organization of France, Tamaya Kitahara of Japan, and the Danang fireworks team, Thoi Bao Kinh Te Sai Gon (Saigon Economic Times) newspaper reported.
Each team will set off a 20-minute display accompanied by music, The Saigon Times Daily reported.
Two grandstands capable of seating 26,000 spectators will be built in front of the main stage along the Han River, with tickets costing VND200,000 (US$10.72).
Local authorities also plan to organize a series of events like art performances, exhibitions, and sporting activities during the two-day competition.
The city People’s Committee, the organizer, estimates the competition to cost VND20 billion ($1.07 million).
It has so far raised VND17 billion from sponsors.
The competition, which is expected to attract 60,000 foreign and local visitors to the port city, will be broadcast live on local channels, including VTV1, VTV4, and DVTV.
It is set to become biennial after this year, according to the committee.