No fireworks during Tet, Hanoi saves 10 billion VND

Provinces and cities said that fireworks displays during Tet are all carried out from socialized sources, and if they are not implemented according to the Secretariat's directive, tens of billions of dong will be saved.

On December 23, Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism To Van Dong said that Hanoi has decided to set off fireworks on the occasion of Lunar New Year with 6 high-altitude locations and 24 low-altitude locations, at a cost of about 10 billion VND. However, the Secretariat has just requested localities not to set off fireworks during Tet, to reserve time and funds to take care of Tet for the poor, disadvantaged, and policy families. Hanoi will seriously implement this directive.

"Although there is no opinion from the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee, in my opinion, Hanoi will be an exemplary locality in implementation," said Mr. Dong.

Mr. To Van Dong, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Photo: D.Loan

The Director of the Department of Culture also said that according to the Secretariat's directive, regardless of whether the cost of the fireworks display is socialized or from the budget, Hanoi will stop. Like before, this year the cost of Hanoi's fireworks display is sponsored by businesses, if it is not carried out, the money will stay with the businesses.

Responding to the question of whether the change in the fireworks display plan would have any impact, Mr. Dong said: "Hanoi has assigned the Capital Command to organize the fireworks display, I do not know if this unit has signed a contract or not. However, the whole country has only one fireworks supplier, Z121, which does not import goods from abroad, so there is no need to worry about changing the contract."

Instead of fireworks, the leader of the Department of Culture said that Hanoi will organize many cultural and artistic programs during Tet, decorating public places to ensure aesthetics, healthiness and joy. Districts and counties that want to decorate the streets must have the opinion of the Department of Culture to avoid cases of colorful decorations that cause offense.

"I'm sure Hanoi will be very happy during Tet without having to spend tens of billions of dong on fireworks," Mr. Dong said.

Ho Chi Minh City:Vo Van Hoan, Chief of the City People's Committee Office, said that the policy of banning fireworks (including fireworks) has been implemented for more than 20 years. However, to meet the entertainment needs of the people and not use the budget, Ho Chi Minh City and some other localities have been allowed by the Central Government to organize fireworks displays on major holidays and Tet using socialized resources.

"Upon receiving information about the above Directive, the City People's Committee will review and report back to see if it is necessary to ask for new opinions or continue to implement as before," said Mr. Hoan.

Meanwhile, Vice Chairwoman of the City People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Thu said the city will not only display fireworks, but also prepare many types of cultural and artistic activities to serve the people during Tet. “However, it is sad that fireworks are not displayed,” said Ms. Thu.

According to the plan, Ho Chi Minh City plans to set off fireworks at two locations: the roof of the Saigon River Tunnel (District 2) and Dam Sen Cultural Park (District 11) to celebrate the New Year; and set off fireworks at seven locations to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

Thua Thien Hue: Mr. Hoang Ngoc Khanh (Chief of the Provincial People's Committee Office) said that on the occasion of the traditional New Year, the province had a plan to set off fireworks at Ngo Mon and Nam Dong district. But the plan was stopped to implement the directive of the Secretariat.

According to Mr. Khanh, the annual funding for fireworks displays to celebrate the New Year in Hue is not included in the budget, but is socialized. The annual funding for fireworks displays during the traditional New Year in Thua Thien Hue is about one billion VND.

Quang Ninh: Mr. Vu Cong Luc (Director of the Department of Information and Communications) said that the province plans to set off fireworks on the occasion of Tet in 10 districts, towns and cities from socialized sources. "Currently, the superiors have directed not to implement it, the provincial leaders will consider implementing it and have specific information later," Mr. Luc said.

According to VNE