Fireworks are always an indispensable part of major holidays, Lunar New Year, or special events in Vietnam. The brilliant lights and transforming shapes in the night sky not only bring joy and excitement but also endless inspiration for photographers. If you are passionate about photography and want to capture stunning fireworks moments, choosing the ideal location is crucial. This article from Discovery Wonders will suggest top destinations in Vietnam where you can unleash your creativity and produce the most sparkling and impressive fireworks photos.
Hoan Kiem Lake (Hanoi) – The Heart of the Capital’s Fireworks
Hoan Kiem Lake, the heart of Hanoi, is always a familiar destination when fireworks light up the sky. With its spacious, airy atmosphere and surrounding ancient architectural works, Hoan Kiem Lake offers a romantic and culturally rich setting for your creative endeavors.
During New Year’s Eve or major holidays, fireworks are often launched from the Hanoi Post Office area or on barges in the middle of the lake. You can choose a spot around the lake’s edge, on the The Huc Bridge, or at cafes and restaurants with lake views to get the best shooting angles.
To capture impressive fireworks photos at Hoan Kiem Lake, you should arrive early to secure a spot and prepare all necessary equipment. A sturdy tripod is indispensable to ensure your photos are not blurry, especially when shooting long exposures. A telephoto zoom lens will help you capture the fireworks blooming in the Hanoi night sky.
Hoan Kiem Lake is one of the most beautiful places to photograph fireworks in Vietnam
Saigon Riverbank (Ho Chi Minh City) – Fireworks and Urban Vibe
The Saigon River, a symbol of the dynamism and development of Ho Chi Minh City, is also an ideal location to admire and photograph fireworks. On special occasions, fireworks are often launched over the river, creating a spectacular light show against the city skyline.
Areas such as Bach Dang Wharf, Thu Thiem Bridge, rooftops of tall buildings like Landmark 81, or riverside bars and restaurants are excellent locations for viewing and photographing fireworks. From these points, you can capture not only brilliant fireworks but also combine them with the modern urban scenery, creating unique and vibrant photos.
When photographing fireworks on the Saigon River, pay attention to the complex city lights. Experiment with different metering modes to ensure the fireworks are clearly displayed and not overexposed. Using a wide-angle lens is also a good suggestion to capture the panoramic view of the sparkling Saigon River at night with the brilliant fireworks.
Saigon Riverbank is an ideal place to photograph fireworks combined with the urban landscape
Dragon Bridge and Han Riverbank (Da Nang) – Fireworks and City Symbol
Da Nang, a beautiful coastal city, is famous for its spectacular international fireworks performances. The Dragon Bridge and Han Riverbank become the main stage, where fireworks blend with the modern beauty of the city.
During the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) or major events, the Dragon Bridge area and along the Han Riverbank become extremely lively. You can choose a spot on the Dragon Bridge (note that the bridge may be closed to vehicles during fireworks displays), on other bridges like Tran Thi Ly Bridge, Han River Bridge, or at riverside cafes and restaurants for the best views.
Photographing fireworks in Da Nang offers a great opportunity to capture the combination of fireworks and the unique architecture of the Dragon Bridge, as well as the sparkling beauty of the Han River at night. Experiment with different shooting angles, from wide angles to capture the entire scene to narrow angles focusing on specific fireworks details.
Dragon Bridge and Han River are famous locations to watch and photograph fireworks in Da Nang
Beautiful Beaches (Nha Trang, Vung Tau, Phu Quoc) – Fireworks over the Ocean
If you want a more unique fireworks photography experience, head to coastal cities like Nha Trang, Vung Tau, or Phu Quoc. Here, you can capture brilliant fireworks moments against the vast ocean backdrop, creating photos that are both romantic and majestic.
Central beaches, beachfront resorts, or small islands are ideal locations to watch and photograph fireworks. The vast ocean space, with minimal obstruction, will give you a clear view and capture the entire fireworks display.
When photographing fireworks on the beach, be mindful of weather and humidity. Protect your camera equipment from sea spray and strong winds. Using a sturdy tripod and a remote shutter release will make it easier to operate in low light and sea breezes.
The beach is a unique location to photograph fireworks over the ocean
Important Notes for Fireworks Photography
In addition to choosing a location, to get beautiful fireworks photos, you need to master some techniques and prepare equipment carefully. Here are some important notes:
1. Equip yourself fully:
- Camera: DSLR or Mirrorless camera with good long exposure capability is the top choice.
- Lenses: Telephoto zoom lenses (70-200mm) or wide-angle lenses (24-70mm) will give you flexibility in framing.
- Tripod: A sturdy tripod is mandatory to ensure your photos are not blurry during long exposures.
- Remote shutter release: Helps you take photos without touching the camera, avoiding shaking.
- Spare batteries, memory cards: Make sure you don’t miss any moments due to dead batteries or full memory cards.
2. Camera settings:
- Shooting mode: Switch to Manual (M) mode to fully control the parameters.
- Aperture: Aperture f/5.6 – f/8 is ideal to ensure sharpness and detail for fireworks.
- Shutter speed: Shutter speeds from 1-3 seconds or Bulb mode will help you capture the full light trails of fireworks.
- ISO: Keep ISO at the lowest level (ISO 100) to reduce image noise.
- Focus: Switch to manual focus (MF) and focus to infinity.
- White balance: Set to Daylight or Auto.
3. Find shooting angles and composition:
- Foreground: Look for foreground elements such as architecture, trees, water surfaces to create depth and interest in the photo.
- Shooting angle: Experiment with different shooting angles (low angle, high angle, horizontal, vertical) to find the best angle.
- Composition: Apply basic composition rules like the rule of thirds, leading lines, symmetry to create balance and harmony in the photo.
4. Pay attention to environmental factors:
- Wind direction: Choose a position so that firework smoke does not blow into the lens.
- Weather: Avoid photographing fireworks in rain or fog.
- Ambient light: Utilize light from the city or other light sources to highlight the foreground.
Setting appropriate camera parameters is crucial when photographing fireworks
Conclusion
Fireworks photography is a fun and creative challenge. Choosing the right location is the first important step in creating impressive works. With these suggestions for the best places to photograph fireworks in Vietnam and basic photography techniques, Discovery Wonders hopes you will have memorable experiences and capture the most brilliant fireworks moments. Prepare carefully, find your ideal spot, and unleash your creativity to get amazing fireworks photos!