As year-end approaches, demand for consumer fireworks rises sharply to serve New Year’s celebrations, Lunar New Year (Tết), and spring festivities. Unfortunately, this peak season has also become an opportunity for profiteers to manufacture and trade counterfeit fireworks bearing the Z121 Factory – Ministry of National Defense label. These fake products not only cause economic losses but also pose serious safety risks.

Counterfeit fireworks sold ppenly on social media

With just a few keyword searches, consumers can find numerous accounts advertising “VIP fireworks,” “custom-designed racks,” or “special editions of Z121.” These products often use labels that look 80–90% similar to genuine items, paired with enticing claims about large tube counts, impressive effects, and unusual designs.

In reality, law-enforcement inspections have uncovered dozens of counterfeit fireworks racks stored in small rented rooms, sometimes right next to kitchens, an extremely dangerous situation. Some networks even recruit students or freelance workers to sell these products, paying commissions per unit sold.

Common signs of counterfeit fireworks include:

• Poorly printed labels that deviate from official designs
• Self-invented product names not listed in Z121’s catalog
• Incorrect tube counts and technical specifications
• QR codes that, when scanned, do not link to Z121’s system

Without experience, consumers can easily be deceived by these tactics.

Consumers should be cautious of online sales pitches.

Counterfeiting is getting more sophisticated, but still fails inspection

Representatives of Factory Z121 confirmed that all recently seized products were not manufactured by Z121. Exploiting the brand’s reputation and public trust in “official Ministry of National Defense fireworks,” counterfeiters print labels resembling genuine ones to flood the market.

However, since 2022, Z121 has transitioned to monolithic molded paper-pulp racks, fully replacing separate paper tubes. This proprietary technology cannot be replicated by counterfeit workshops. In addition, dynamic QR codes on each product enable quick authentication—consumers can simply scan the code to verify authenticity instantly.

Z121 workers manufacturing fireworks.

Risks of using counterfeit fireworks

Fireworks of unknown origin carry significant dangers:

• High risk of fire or explosion due to untested pyrotechnic compounds

• Unstable launches that can injure nearby users

• Potential legal violations if deemed smuggled or illegally produced

In several inspections alone, authorities seized nearly 2,000 counterfeit firework tubes, highlighting the alarming scale of the problem.

How can consumers avoid buying counterfeits?

To protect safety and personal rights, consumers should:

✔ Buy only from Z121-authorized retail systems
Z121 operates over 400 official stores nationwide. Checking the official store list helps ensure genuine purchases.

✔ Scan the QR code on every product
Each Z121 fireworks rack has a unique, non-duplicated QR code. If it doesn’t scan or shows abnormal information, do not use the product.

✔ Inspect labels and packaging carefully
Genuine products always feature:

• A solid, monolithic molded rack
• Sharp, clear labels without smudging
• Technical specifications matching Z121’s official catalog

✔ Avoid unregulated online sales, livestreams, and private groups
Unusually low prices, strange designs, or “oversized” tube counts are strong indicators of counterfeit goods.

Fireworks are a special product directly linked to household safety. Consumers should remain vigilant—choose authorized retailers and thoroughly inspect products before use. Saying “no” to counterfeit fireworks protects individuals and families while contributing to public safety and order during the festive season.