Fireworks, openly exploding firecrackers called "Tet Toys
Just typing a few keywords on social networks, buyers can get lost in the "matrix" of groups buying and selling firecrackers with thousands of members. Here, many types of firecrackers that are absolutely prohibited are heavily advertised under beautiful names such as "Tet toys". The subjects also publicly list the prices of firecrackers, "Thai firecrackers" ranging from 36, 49 to 100 tubes of smuggled goods at not cheap prices.
To attract customers, sellers often use many different accounts to post videos to test firecrackers, creating a sense of prestige and stimulating buying demand. When contacting a Zalo account named P.H, reporters received a detailed price list: BB firecrackers are offered for sale at about 500,000 VND/pack of 100 firecrackers, while Thai fireworks range from 800,000 VND to 1,200,000 VND per set.
The transaction process of these subjects is set up extremely tightly to cope with the control of functional agencies. Sellers absolutely do not appear directly, all exchanges only take place via text messages or calls on the application. To increase credibility, the subjects continuously send screenshots of successful transactions along with positive feedback from old customers.
However, the biggest barrier lies in the requirement for customers to transfer deposits from 30% to 50% of the value of the order with the reason that the transportation costs of goods are sensitive. In fact, many buyers have been blocked from contact immediately after sending deposits, leading to the situation of losing money unjustly but not being able to report because they are committing acts of buying prohibited goods against regulations. Goods, if delivered, are also carefully disguised in packages of essential goods, posing a very high risk of fire and explosion during transportation through delivery units.
Besides the risk of being defrauded of money, the use of illegal firecrackers contains an extremely high risk of fire and explosion and injuries.
Unlike fireworks of the Ministry of National Defense that are strictly inspected for safety, smuggled fireworks often contain strong explosives and production processes that do not meet standards. Just a small mistake in the process of transportation or storage can lead to accidents, causing damage to life and property.
Besides the problem of smuggled firecrackers, the chaotic price of genuine firecrackers of the Ministry of National Defense is also taking place publicly. Although Chemical Company Limited 21 has publicly announced the listed price list, in reality, people find it very difficult to buy at the correct original price. At some authorized stores or intermediary agents, the prices of pellet and flower sprayers are pushed up twice, even three times.
Speculators often use the trick of scarcity of goods to pressure consumers' prices. This situation unintentionally pushes people to look for floating sources of goods online, where Z121 fireworks are also inflated to millions of VND and do not have any papers proving legal origin.
Warning about risks when buying and using illegal firecrackers
Discussing this issue, Lawyer Nguyen Quang Huy (Hanoi Bar Association) emphasized that people's arbitrary purchase and sale or use of firecrackers and fireworks that are not products from Factory Z121 under the Ministry of National Defense are all violations of the law. Based on Decree 137/2020/ND-CP, only organizations and businesses under the Ministry of National Defense are allowed to trade in fireworks. All acts of individuals arbitrarily advertising firecrackers on social networks constitute the act of trading in prohibited goods.
The lawyer also added that, according to Decree 282/2025/ND-CP, sanctions for acts related to firecrackers have been significantly increased. Fines are applied according to the level of danger: A fine of 2,000,000 VND to 5,000,000 VND for the act of using fireworks in violation of regulations; a fine of 5,000,000 VND to 10,000,000 VND if fireworks are delivered to unaqualified people.
In particular, individuals participating in trading, transporting or storing firecrackers with a quantity of 6kg or more face the risk of being prosecuted for criminal liability for the crime of trading and transporting prohibited goods.
