After nearly two decades on the sidelines, Z121, the Ministry of National Defense's sole fireworks factory, captivated audiences at the opening night of the 2025 Danang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF). Using over 80% domestically produced fireworks, the Z121 Vina Pyrotech team (Vietnam 2) not only secured a spot in the finals but also ignited hopes for Vietnam's first championship title.

Members of the Z121 Vina Pyrotech team finalize preparations on the fireworks platform before the final night. Photo: Nguyen Dong

Members of the Z121 Vina Pyrotech team finalize preparations on the fireworks platform before the final night. Photo: Nguyen Dong

One day before the DIFF 2025 championship match, the Vietnam 2 team diligently finalized setup on the fireworks platform along the Han River. On the evening of 12/7, they will face Jiangxi Yanfeng, a seasoned competitor from China.

"With the spirit of soldiers, we are always ready to give our all," shared Colonel Tran Thanh Son, Deputy Director of the Z121 factory and captain of the Z121 Vina Pyrotech team.

17 years awaiting international competition

The Danang International Fireworks Competition began in 2008, the same year a young engineer, Tran Thanh Son, started his assignment at Z121. At the time, the Danang team, representing Vietnam, sought technical advice from Z121. However, due to a lack of effect programming tools, the collaboration didn't materialize.

In 2017, the competition was privatized and renamed the Danang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF). However, participating teams were exclusively invited by the organizers, preventing Z121, despite being local, from competing.

Many Z121 engineers quietly watched each fireworks display over the Han River, harboring the dream of one day officially performing. In recent years, the factory invested in modern production lines and collaborated with the over 150-year-old Yamaki fireworks factory in Japan. This led to a range of high-quality products, including seven-color changing ghost shells, smiley face fireworks, and gold star fireworks, which were exported to demanding markets like Japan and Dubai.

Colonel Tran Thanh Son said the factory's engineers always dreamed of showcasing Vietnamese-made fireworks at the Danang International Fireworks Festival. Photo: Nguyen Dong

Colonel Tran Thanh Son said the factory's engineers always dreamed of showcasing Vietnamese-made fireworks at the Danang International Fireworks Festival. Photo: Nguyen Dong

In 2020, Decree 137 was issued, granting Z121 exclusive rights to produce, trade, and import/export civilian fireworks. When Sun Group (the organizer appointed by Danang City for DIFF) offered assistance with import procedures, Colonel Son proposed, "Invite us to compete," and the proposal was accepted. The organizers also invited a South Korean team, bringing the total number of DIFF 2025 teams to 10, the highest ever.

Z121 began preparations three months before the qualifying round. Performance concepts and firework effects were developed concurrently, followed by the production of suitable fireworks. Over 4,000 high-altitude fireworks and 2,000 mid-altitude fireworks were produced specifically for this debut.

The team used 80% Z121-produced fireworks. The remaining 20% were sourced from China by the organizers to supplement effect types not yet produced in Vietnam, particularly those displayed near the water's surface. This blend of domestic and international elements created an impressive display on the night of 7/6, against the team from Poland.

As coconut tree, falling leaves, and purple lotus effects unfolded over Danang's night sky, culminating in a finale set to the music of "As If Uncle Ho Is Present on the Great Victory Day," over 10,000 spectators in the stands rose and sang along. Members of the Z121 team in the control room were moved to tears.

Coconut tree effects, with multi-colored fireworks produced by the Z121 factory, light up the Danang night sky during the competition on 7/6. Photo: Nguyen Dong

Coconut tree effects, with multi-colored fireworks produced by the Z121 factory, light up the Danang night sky during the competition on 7/6. Photo: Nguyen Dong

Colonel Son attributed the team's success to the unique domestically produced fireworks, ranging from color-changing ghost shells and color-shifting base fireworks to star-shaped fireworks, all of which are exported internationally. Images of the Vietnamese fireworks quickly spread across news outlets and social media, leading the team to believe their "dream of reaching the final" could become reality.

While Z121 has performed at numerous large domestic festivals, this was their first international competition with stringent criteria encompassing technical aspects, artistry, themes, effects, and the harmony between fireworks and music. The fireworks they used were rare and would fetch nearly 2 billion dong on the market, but since they were "homegrown," everyone was delighted.

Vietnamese fireworks are on par with international standards

For the finals, each team received a container of approximately 7,000 fireworks, all sourced from China, of equal quality but with varying effects. Z121 chose to use over 5,000, prioritizing effectiveness and artistry. Unable to use their own fireworks, the team had to revise their performance close to the competition date.

"We wanted to cook a Vietnamese dish with butter and potatoes, so we had to season it skillfully to retain the Vietnamese essence," Colonel Son explained.

Members of the Z121 Vina Pyrotech team, along with representatives from the Danang International Fireworks Festival, are determined to deliver a spectacular fireworks display for the final night on 12/7. Photo: Nguyen Dong

Members of the Z121 Vina Pyrotech team, along with representatives from the Danang International Fireworks Festival, are determined to deliver a spectacular fireworks display for the final night on 12/7. Photo: Nguyen Dong

In addition to technical factors, the team carefully considered weather conditions. Smoke from the fireworks could obscure the effects if too dense. Z121 placed sensors along the west bank of the Han River to automatically adjust the firing rhythm in case of wind shifts or unusual speed changes.

Despite competing against a multi-generational family business with extensive fireworks experience, Z121 remained confident. "We are here to learn and to demonstrate that Vietnamese fireworks are on par with international standards," said Colonel Son.

Performing second, Z121's display, themed "Peace," aimed to convey the message that in a turbulent world, peace and stability remain the foundation of development pursued by Vietnam, particularly given the ongoing unrest in the South China Sea.

The Vietnamese team's performance promises to be captivating, with vibrant firework effects synchronized with a dynamic musical score across four movements: a vibrant opening, followed by a heroic red and gold segment, transitioning into a dreamy blue and purple sequence, and culminating in a powerful audio-visual climax emphasizing peace as a core value. The firework techniques are meticulously choreographed, from clear low-level displays and color-changing ghost shells at mid-level to exploding gold star fireworks against the backdrop of the "Aspiration for Peace" soundtrack.

20 minutes on the international stage is the culmination of 17 years of quiet preparation. From a factory on the sidelines, Colonel Son stated that after the final, regardless of who wins, the Z121 team can hold their heads high. For the first time, "Made in Vietnam" fireworks have truly been seen and applauded by the world.

Nguyen Dong