The 'secret palace history' revealed for the first time

Da Nang's summer fireworks season is not only "glorious" in the sky but also made up of silent contributions.

400 modules, 8,000 detonators and the most advanced equipment in the world

Until DIFF 2024, many Da Nang residents, despite having lived with fireworks for decades, never expected the huge amount of fireworks imported and transported to Vietnam to prepare for this international-class festival.

If the negotiation and purchasing of fireworks from leading manufacturers; the journey across the sea and thousands of kilometers of road to bring 46,561 fireworks to Da Nang is not convincing enough, Global 2000 experts will point out the strict standards that the DIFF competition brings.

“DIFF uses the FIRE 1 system, which is the most advanced and reliable fireworks system in the world. We have a very large system here, with more than 400 modules and up to 6 controllers to ensure full backup and spare equipment when launching fireworks. So it can be said that in terms of firing system equipment, DIFF has the best equipment in the world,” said Mr. Stuart Bensley - Technical Director of Global 2000 - DIFF's fireworks consulting company.

Da Nang International Fireworks Festival uses the most modern equipment in the world

Fireworks at the highest level are a combination of colors, unique shapes and music . The more creative the lighting “architects” are, the greater the complexity and risk involved in setting up the display.

With the best equipment and materials invested by Sun Group, Global 2000 experts and technicians of the competing teams will perform the final steps to create more than 20 minutes of sublimation for a performance at DIFF.

“There are about 400 small computers connected to the system and we have to link them together. Then all the cables lead to the central control panel so we can control everything from that area. We have to do multiple system checks to make sure that every pyrotechnic circuit and every firing system is working perfectly before the show starts,” said Global.

Teams will connect between 4,500 and 8,000 circuits and detonators to control computers.

Installation of the firing system begins Monday, the first day the teams arrive on site, and continues through Saturday afternoon before the show. In total, the teams will connect between 4,500 and 8,000 circuits and detonators to control computers.

According to Mr Stuart, the biggest risk with fireworks is always safety. When it comes to explosives, things can sometimes be unpredictable. “That’s why we have the best equipment, the best firing systems and the best procedures to minimize the risks. This job requires meticulous attention to detail, so the technicians have to work very hard and with a high level of concentration,” he added.

Nearly 2,000 people participated in the organization and their silent contributions

If each securely connected detonator is the foundation to ensure a perfect fireworks display, then for the DIFF Organizing Committee, the festival's success also lies in the joy and safety of more than 10,000 people filling the stands each night.

More than 1,500 people from all units from fire prevention, security, border defense, medical, logistics... were mobilized by Da Nang city, along with more than 400 officers and employees of Sun Group Corporation, creating a powerful force to ensure a safe and smooth fireworks competition night.

Before each competition night, from early afternoon, hundreds of security officers, fire fighters, medical staff... are ready to practice for all situations. Despite months of training, coaching and preparation for the biggest possible incidents, DIFF security always faces unexpected difficult situations.

Security forces, mobile police, fire prevention and fighting teams, medical teams... must gather early to prepare for safety plans and handle any situations that may arise during DIFF.

“The most worrying thing is that there will be drunk guests in the stands, causing trouble and affecting the surrounding guests. There was even a drunk guest who shouted that there was a bomb, causing many people to panic. When there is a crowd effect, one person running will cause many people to run as well, that is the most fearful thing, so the security team is always on duty at all positions in the stands to be on guard and handle any situation that may arise as quickly as possible,” said Mr. Nguyen Trong Nhat - representative of the DIFF security subcommittee.

The dangers that the security subcommittee in general and the security force in particular have to face are countless, because they are so “multifaceted”. With a large number of spectators gathered in one time frame, in order to avoid unsafe problems such as intruders causing trouble, carrying prohibited items, etc., the security force always carries out the task of separating and guiding guests into the stands and controlling tickets in the most meticulous manner.

"In addition to input control, the principle set to prevent emergencies is to always ensure that the aisles and stairs in the stands are clear, creating a path of movement in case of unexpected situations," Mr. Nhat added.

Also from noon, when the temperature at the fireworks stand seemed to melt the ground, 150 volunteers from Sun Group's logistics team were present to prepare everything, even the smallest things, to welcome guests and serve the audience, from tables, chairs, drinks, to... raincoats.

Behind the joy and radiance of visitors are the silent contributions of the DIFF team.

Rain is the biggest fear for the Organizing Committee. A sudden heavy downpour can ruin a fireworks display that has been prepared for months. The fireworks are covered in smoke, the stands are in chaos. That is when hundreds of security and logistics staff work tirelessly in the rain to ensure safety, security and take care of the audience.

“In the middle of the third night, it was pouring rain. When all the raincoats had been distributed to the guests, a volunteer came across an old man. He took off his last raincoat to give to the old man, and ran back and forth in the rain, drenched. It was a truly touching image,” Ms. Tran Thi Chieu Ly, representative of the DIFF 2024 Logistics Committee, tearfully recounted.

DIFF 2024 is still taking place with exciting competition nights, attracting domestic and foreign tourists to Da Nang.

A volunteer gives his raincoat to an elderly person. A soldier stays up all night to guard the artillery depot. A solemn security guard stands with his back to the thousands of exploding fireworks, overlooking the stands.

Many, many short moments and small people like that have made silent contributions to complete the beauty of DIFF. That beauty, is just as sparkling as the dances of light in the sky, the only difference is that it is a quiet beauty that not many people know about.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/diff-2024-nhung-tham-cung-bi-su-lan-dau-duoc-tiet-lo-185240626145113707.htm