Vietnam is scrapping Lunar New Year fireworks, after the government told cities to pledge the money to the city’s poor instead.

According to the state run newspaper Tuoi Tre news, all provinces and cities have been told not to hold fireworks displays during Tet, or Lunar New Year.

Hanoi’s tourism department has already abandoned its fireworks show worth about $440,000 dollars.

Tet pyrotechnic shows are usually funded by the state budget or private sector.

While the government directive has banned fireworks for the Lunar New Year, it is not clear whether the Western New Year’s celebrations will be affected.

Vietnam’s Lunar New Year holiday runs for a week from January 26.

The upcoming year of the rooster will start on January 28.

– TiVi Tuan-san