About us

21 Chemical

One Member Company Limited

Z121 Factory, under the General Department of Defense Industry, was officially established on September 7, 1966. However, the unit’s production of fuzes and igniters had begun earlier during the resistance war against French colonialism, at several military ordnance workshops.

In 1961, the fuze production section of Factory Z65 (Z4) was merged into Factory Z2 and reorganized as the Fuze Workshop. In 1966, under a decision of the General Department of Logistics, Workshop No. 3 of Factory Z2 was separated to become the Ignition Device Factory under the Ordnance Department—this entity is the direct predecessor of today’s Z121 Factory.

As the only facility specializing in fuze production within Vietnam’s defense industry, Z121 Factory has played a particularly important role in researching, designing, and manufacturing the “heart of weapons”—the core components of ammunition and mines—ensuring technical support for the Army throughout the wars of resistance as well as in the process of building a modern Vietnam People’s Army.

In recognition of its outstanding achievements, Z121 Factory has been honored by the Party and the State with the title of Hero of the People’s Armed Forces (1989) and Hero of Labor in the Renewal Period (2004). Many collectives and individuals of the factory have also received high honors, affirming the unit’s proud and distinguished tradition.

In accordance with directives from the Ministry of National Defense and the Central Military Commission, Z121 Factory compiled the work “Chronicle of Historical Events (1966–2016)”, recording significant milestones over 50 years of construction and development. This publication stands as evidence of the factory’s remarkable growth in scale, production capacity, and its substantial contributions to the Army and Vietnam’s defense industry.

Board of Directors

COLONEL CHU VIET SON
COMPANY DIRECTOR

COLONEL TRAN MANH HUNG
COMPANY CHAIRMAN

Mission & Vision

To become a leading defense–economic enterprise in Vietnam in the production of explosives, industrial blasting accessories, fireworks, and pyrotechnics; continuously innovate technology, enhance product quality, meet domestic demand, and expand into international markets.

Mission

  • With the right and effective strategic direction, the annual output value, revenue, and employees’ income of Chemical Company No. 21 (Single-Member LLC) have continuously increased over the years, making the company one of the top enterprises under the General Department of Defense Industry.

  • Building on its achievements, today’s cadres, employees, and workers of Chemical Company No. 21 continue to uphold the tradition of “Unity – Self-reliance – Proactiveness – Scientific thinking”, striving for sustainable development.

  • Brand orientation: Designing and manufacturing unique, creative fireworks to deliver unforgettable experiences at events and festivals.

  • Safety assurance: Producing fireworks with the highest quality and top safety standards to ensure the best experience for customers.

  • Compliance with production regulations: Ensuring occupational safety and health while strictly complying with laws and regulations on manufacturing.

Formation and Development History

Chemical Company No. 21 aims to become a leading defense–economic enterprise in Vietnam in the production of explosives, industrial blasting accessories, fireworks, and pyrotechnics; continuously innovating technology, improving product quality, meeting domestic demand, and expanding international markets.

The predecessor of Chemical Company No. 21 (Single-Member LLC) was Factory Z21, established on September 7, 1966, at the height of the national liberation war. Over more than 59 years of construction and development, through the tireless efforts and silent contributions of generations of soldier-workers, the Company has been honored twice with the titles Hero of the People’s Armed Forces and Hero of Labor in the Renovation Period.

Tab Title

Establishment of Factory Z121

Factory Z121, under the General Department of Defense Industry, was officially established on September 7, 1966. However, the production of fuzes had already been organized earlier at several military ordnance workshops during the resistance war against French colonialism.

In 1961, the fuze production section of Factory Z65 (Z4) was merged with Factory Z2, forming the Fuze Workshop (Workshop No. 3) under Factory Z2.

On September 7, 1966, the Head of the General Department of Logistics decided to separate Workshop No. 3 from Factory Z2 to establish the Ignition Device Workshop under the Ordnance Department – General Department of Logistics, which later became Factory Z121.

Factory Z121 in the post-war period

After the complete liberation of the South and national reunification, the Factory undertook strategic missions assigned by the Party, the State, and the Army: participating in the production of goods serving the national economy. Its main products included detonators and electric detonators for mining, construction, and transportation industries.

Factory Z121

Under the new state economic mechanism, Factory Z121 adopted the commercial name Chemical Company No. 21. With autonomy in business accounting, the Company charted a new direction—restructuring management, departments, and workshops; reorganizing labor; rationalizing production lines to suit manufacturing conditions, while expanding economic product lines to ensure stable livelihoods for workers.

Technological development and innovation

With a strategy to expand production lines and develop superior products, the Company invested in manufacturing lines for electric delay detonators and non-electric delay detonators. Leveraging existing production capabilities and a spirit of “maximizing internal strengths,” and through studying similar foreign products, the Company successfully produced safe delay detonators meeting international standards in 2001.

These products met the annual needs of mining and construction material industries, saving the State millions of USD by reducing imports.

  • The research project on safe delay detonators won the VIFOTEC Science and Technology Innovation Award (2004).

  • The research project on non-electric delay detonators won the VIFOTEC Award (2006).

These honors recognized the Company’s scientific and technological creativity and became a strong driving force for future R&D activities.

Fireworks production

The Company invested in a large-scale fireworks production line, with products quickly penetrating markets in Japan and the United States, while also serving domestic demand for fireworks displays during holidays and festivals nationwide.

  • 2001: Successfully researched and produced low-altitude fireworks.

  • 2015: Completed an investment project to build a modern fireworks production line and defense-materials warehouse, meeting both domestic and international market demands.

With their distinctive advantages, Z121 fireworks were approved by the Government for use during traditional Lunar New Year celebrations and festivals nationwide.

Quality management and certification

The Company implemented a Quality Management System in accordance with ISO 9001:2000, certified by QUACERT in August 2002. This system enhanced product quality, established scientific management practices, and improved business efficiency.

The Chemical Company No. 21 laboratory is certified under VILAS 231 in the field of Chemistry, and is accredited for inspection, calibration of measuring instruments, and quality testing of fuze products for the military.

Achievements

Chemical Company No. 21 (Single-Member LLC) is now a large enterprise specializing in:

  • Production of explosives and industrial blasting accessories for mining and construction nationwide;

  • Manufacturing signaling and maritime safety products;

  • Producing fireworks and pyrotechnics for festivals and export;

  • Manufacturing defense products for the Armed Forces.

For outstanding achievements in production and national defense service, Factory Z121 was awarded the title Hero of the People’s Armed Forces (December 1989).

For exceptional achievements in production, business operations, building a strong organization, ensuring employment, and improving workers’ living standards, Chemical Company No. 21 was awarded:

  • Hero of Labor in the Renovation Period (December 2004);

  • Order for the Protection of the Fatherland (September 2016).

Present status 

Today, the Company stands as Vietnam’s leading defense enterprise in explosives and industrial blasting accessories, and the only enterprise in Vietnam producing fireworks and pyrotechnics for nationwide festivals and for export to markets such as the United States, Japan, Singapore, and Laos, making significant contributions to national economic development.

Achievements

Thanks to its outstanding achievements in production, business operations, and building a strong and comprehensive organization, the Company has been awarded additional prestigious titles and honors by the State:

Awards

In scientific research and production management activities, the Company has been awarded: