Rising demand for so-called quiet fireworks has been reported as the Lunar New Year nears.
Long queues of people waiting to buy quiet fireworks at Z121 Factory in Phu Tho Province
While Vietnam has banned the production, trade and use of firecrackers which used to be popular during the Tet Festival, quiet fireworks are allowed as they are safe, do not make loud bangs and do not affect the environment.
The state-owned Z121 Factory has a monopoly on the production and distribution of fireworks in Vietnam and is introducing some types of quiet fireworks and sparklers. Demand for these products is usually very high in the run-up to Tet.
According to the company, they have set up 60 points to sell their products besides online channels this year. Even its headquarters in Phu Tho Province are seeing long queues.
Meanwhile, the company's website has been unable to be accessed for the past few days.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has asked cities and provinces nationwide to cancel fireworks displays celebrating Tet at public places this year as concerns rise over a possible Covid-19 spike.
Setting off firecrackers, a long-standing Vietnamese tradition, is illegal out of concern for public safety.