All Vietnamese who have full civic rights can light up a certain types of fireworks for some special occasions such as Tet (the Vietnamese) Lunar New Year festivals, weddings, meetings, opening ceremonies, anniversaries, birthday celebrations, and cultural festivities, pursuant to a national government-released amended decree that took effect on 11 January. However, it is an urgent must-do for people from all walks of life nationwide to clearly distinguish between explosive firecrackers and fireworks from non-explosive ones. No thorough grasp of the new decree can lead to accidental violations, especially in light of the upcoming Tet festival drawing near with a surge in demand for a certain types of firecrackers as long-lasting habit of the Vietnamese people.

Da Nang traffic police force discovered and seized firecrackers illegally transported into the city via roadways in early 2020.

In reality, many residents in Da Nang have yet to understand outstanding differences amongst types of fireworks as well as some specific situations where they are allowed to use fireworks.

“Upon hearing about the coming into force of the new decree regarding the use of fireworks, I and others vaguely do not know what types of fireworks are permitted to be used, as well as when to use them and where to buy them ”,  Ms Bui Thi Cuc, 61, a resident in Ngu Hanh Son District said. 

According to explanations by Colonel Phan Van Dung, Deputy Director of the Da Nang Police Department, the new decree defines non-explosive firecrackers and fireworks as those producing sounds, lighting and colour effects without causing "explosive sounds," like hand-held sparklers which burn over a long period of time (up to a minute) and produces a brilliant shower of eye-catching sparks.

Meanwhile, explosive firecrackers and fireworks are defined as those that produce explosions (loud noises) and make hissing sounds, like those that are fired into the sky from cannons during certain national celebrations.

The above-mentioned classification enables authorised agencies to better manage fireworks and sparklers as well as impose proper punishments on violators of firecracker ban.

Famous US firework producer Jake's Fireworks noted that, while sparklers are generally considered safe, explosive fireworks are responsible for over 80% of the injuries each year worldwide.

Under the new regulations, the general public is allowed to use sparklers only provided some specific regulations. Of special note, anyone aged 18 and older with legal capacity is allowed to the use of sparklers.

The shimmering glow of sparklers (The illustration from the Internet)

Besides, eligible individuals and organisations can only purchase the firecrackers and fireworks from authorized businesses approved by the Ministry of National Defence and other relevant agencies under the guidelines of the decree.

In addition, the decree also stipulates behaviors that are strictly banned in the management and use of fireworks.

Vietnamese law prohibits all of activities related to the production, trading, transportation, import, export, storage, and use of firecrackers and fireworks and materials thereof, except for some specific cases.

Apart from that, prohibited acts include illegally producing, trading, importing, exporting, transporting, storing, and using fireworks and firework materials.

The coming into force of the new decree ahead of Tet, the largest and most important holiday of the year holiday, is aimed to prevent any unexpected accidents caused by illegal using of fireworks and firecrackers that is rampant in every part of the country on this occasion for years.

Over recent years, Da Nang has been gearing up detecting and handling the illegal purchase, sale, transportation, trading and use of fireworks.

More recently, the police force has handled cases of transporting a large number of boxes of Chinese firecrackers into Da Nang for consumption.

In 1994 when the use of fireworks was rampant, causing many deaths and injuries and annual losses of tens of billions of VND, the national government passed a law prohibiting the production, distribution and use of firecrackers and explosive chemicals.

By LE HUNG- Translated by A.T