On Saturday, April 11, 2026, the "Water Festival (Songkran) 2026" will be held in Da Nang, a popular tourist city in central Vietnam. This event, where the Thai-born traditional festival Songkran unfolds grandly on Vietnamese soil, expects over 3,000 participants. This year too, it's drawing attention as Da Nang's largest-scale outdoor party.
Event overview: a day of 3,000 people splashing water on each other
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | Saturday, April 11, 2026 |
| Time | 10:00〜18:00 |
| Location | Cong Vien Bien Dong (East Sea Park), Da Nang |
| Expected number of participants | Over 3,000 |
| Admission | Early bird: 50,000–100,000 dong (about 300–600 yen) |
| Organizer | Expats in Da Nang (a community with over 100,000 followers) |
The venue, East Sea Park (Cong Vien Bien Dong), sits along Vo Nguyen Giap Street in Da Nang's beach area, an excellent location overlooking the South China Sea from the venue.
The day's featured program
- Large-scale water-gun battle:All participants bring or rent water guns and freely splash water on each other within the venue
- Simultaneous water-balloon drop (15:00):The large-scale simultaneous water-balloon drop timed to 3 p.m. is the climactic highlight
- Live DJ performances:Music by pro DJs livens up the venue from morning to evening
- Food area:A full lineup of Vietnamese and Thai food booths
- Photo spots:A decoration area themed on Songkran is set up
The meaning of the Vietnam × Thailand cultural fusion
Songkran was originally a traditional event celebrating Thailand's Lunar New Year (the new year on the Thai calendar), held around April 13–15. Splashing water carries the meaning of "washing away the impurities of the old year and welcoming the new year purely." In 2016 it was also registered as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage, a culture Thailand takes pride in.
In recent years, in Vietnam, which is culturally and geographically close to Thailand, Songkran has come to be accepted in its own form. Da Nang in particular has many foreign residents and a rooted international community, so the groundwork for enjoying a Thai cultural festival is in place.
The host organization "Expats in Da Nang" is a Da Nang-based foreign-resident community with over 100,000 followers, and it has promoted cross-cultural exchange that transcends barriers through events where Vietnamese and foreigners can participate together. Songkran is one of its symbolic events.
The "Vietnamese-version Songkran" differs a little from the authentic Thai one. Rather than religious meaning, it's characterized by a carnival-like atmosphere that puts the pure "fun of playing with water" and "cross-cultural exchange" front and center. The unique experience where Vietnam's energy and Thailand's tradition mix can be called something only Da Nang offers.
Guide for Japanese travelers
Things to know before participating
- Clothing:Participate in easy-to-move clothing you don't mind getting wet. Note that white T-shirts turn see-through. Sandals or water shoes recommended
- Belongings:Put your smartphone and camera in a waterproof case. Keep your wallet minimal (waterproof it in a ziplock or the like)
- Water gun:Available for purchase around the venue on the day. Getting one in advance at a convenience store or market is safest
- Sun protection:April in Da Nang is often sunny with strong UV. Bring waterproof-type sunscreen
- Managing your condition:Staying wet can chill the body. Bringing one change of clothes is reassuring
Getting to the venue
You can reach the venue, East Sea Park (Cong Vien Bien Dong), by Grab taxi from central Da Nang. Many spots are within walking distance from hotels in the My Khe Beach area.
You can reach Da Nang from Japan on Vietnam Airlines or via Bangkok. From Da Nang International Airport to the city is about 20–30 minutes by car.
A set plan with Da Nang sightseeing
April in Da Nang is the best season for sightseeing. In addition to the Songkran event, combining it with central Vietnam sightseeing centered on Da Nang, such as Ba Na Hills and Hoi An old-town sightseeing, makes for a fulfilling trip.
For the latest Da Nang tourism information, seeDa Nang and Phu Quoc April 2026 travel informationFor Vietnam's overall tourism trends, seeVietnam Q1 2026 record tourist numbersis also a helpful reference.
If combining your trip with the Hanoi direction, we also recommend staying at theFairmont Hanoithat opened in 2026.
Getting soaked head to toe at the water festival while enjoying cross-cultural exchange — such a special experience awaits you in Da Nang. For the latest Vietnam travel information,Vietnam Giftcheck regularly at.
