Returning from the 2024 Da Lat Flower Festival, Ms. Thu Huong, 29 years old, living in Hanoi, excitedly shared the fascinating experiences of her trip. Not only did she get to freely admire the colorful flowers, the Da Lat Flower Festival also brought her an experience that she really enjoyed: A light show in the night sky.
"The first time I saw a light show was on New Year's Eve 2024 in Hanoi, with thousands of glowing drones. Since then, I have loved this type of show and tried to go see it as much as possible," Ms. Huong shared.
Stages in the night sky
In recent years, Vietnam has seen a dramatic rise in drone light shows. These performances have quickly become a highlight at cultural, tourism, and art events, offering a fresh approach to honoring Vietnam’s traditional values and modernity.
One of the most prominent examples is the drone performance welcoming the New Year in Hanoi. With 2,024 drones used, this event not only set a record in Southeast Asia but also had a special meaning, marking the transition to the Year of the Dragon. With the theme "A day in the capital - A thousand years of history," the performance recreated the development journey of the capital Thang Long - Hanoi through many periods, harmoniously combining traditional elements and modern electronic music. This is a clear demonstration of the ability to apply advanced technology in preserving and promoting culture. At West Lake, the performance called "The Colors and Fragrances of West Lake" used 300 drones to recreate symbolic images of Hanoi such as lotus and peach blossoms. This program not only serves entertainment purposes but also contributes to promoting tourism, building the image of the capital as a safe, friendly and attractive destination.
Not only stopping in Hanoi, the drone shows also spread their influence to many provinces and cities across the country, each with its own unique style. Within the framework of major tourism events, Dien Bien organized a special light show with 200 drones. This event recreated the great historical moment - the Dien Bien Phu victory - through symbolic images such as the "Determined to fight, determined to win" flag and cultural characteristics of the Northwest region. More than 1,600 drones also lit up the sky of Nha Trang during the opening ceremony of the Khanh Hoa Sea Festival, bringing a light party combined with traditional musical instruments, creating a unique and profound cultural space.
In Ho Chi Minh City, the river festival used 400 drones to tell the story of Saigon’s development over the past 30 years. This program not only emphasized the historical beauty but also affirmed the city’s position in applying modern technology. Similarly, Binh Dinh impressed with a drone performance at Thi Nai lagoon, recreating cultural symbols of the land of martial arts, opening up promising prospects for tourism development.
The success of drone shows in Vietnam lies not only in their scale or modern technology but also in the way they honor cultural and historical values. With the current growth rate, drone shows are expected to continue to explode, contributing to enhancing Vietnam’s image on the international map.
The billion-dollar drone light show industry is not just a mere artistic performance, but also a promising industry. According to experts, the market value of this industry is expected to reach billions of dollars in the next decade, thanks to the increase in demand from event organizers, advertising companies and the entertainment industry.
One of the key factors that has contributed to this development is the advanced drone control system. According to research by Professors Waibel, Keays and Augugliaro (2017), this system allows a single operator to control hundreds of drones at the same time through a control station. Drones are programmed to perform complex movements automatically, minimizing human error and limiting the risk of mid-air collisions. Precise positioning technology such as GPS and IPS also plays an important role in ensuring the safety of performances.
In addition, the difference between drone light shows and traditional lighting systems lies in the ability to create realistic 3D images. While traditional stage lighting can only create 2D or 3D images on flat surfaces, drone light shows use flying devices to create real 3D shapes in space. This is why they are increasingly used in large events where creativity and uniqueness are highly required.
In addition, drone light show manufacturers are also optimizing cost efficiency. Compared to fireworks, drones can be reused many times, reducing environmental pollution and bringing long-term economic benefits. Event organizers not only save costs but also create strong, lasting impressions in the hearts of the audience. The industry also sees the participation of many large companies such as Intel, Verity Studios and Ehang, pioneers in developing drone light show solutions. With strong investment in research and development, these companies are shaping the future of the aerial lighting industry.
The future of spotlight
Looking to the future, drone light shows promise to become an indispensable part of global events. With the development of artificial intelligence technology and advanced control systems, the creative possibilities of drone light art will continue to expand.
One of the biggest potentials is to combine drone light shows with virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). This not only brings an interactive experience to the audience but also opens up new ways of performing, where each individual can design and experience the light in their own way.
In addition, applications of drone light shows in education and science are also being explored. Light shows are not only entertaining but can also convey scientific and educational messages about the universe, geography and environment to the public in a visual and vivid way.
Finally, with the growing awareness of environmental protection, drone light shows are being seen as a sustainable alternative to traditional fireworks. Not only do drone light shows reduce noise and pollution, they also send a positive message of harmony between technology and nature.
This year, Hanoi organized the Light Concert - Welcome New Year 2025, with a light show from 2,025 drones combined with symphony music. This is not only the beginning of the Hanoi International Light Festival 2025, but also an opportunity for Hanoi to affirm its position as a creative city, where heritage and modernity blend together, towards a bright future.
(Posted on the special edition of Labor Weekend Spring At Ty)
