The move was made after news spread about dragonfly-shaped plastic lanterns imported from China contained cadmium levels 123 times higher than permitted.

Previously, the Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspapers reported that a sample of one made in China lantern contained significantly high levels of cadmium, which can cause cancer, birth defects and even death. Cadmium is among the three most dangerous metals. The others are mercury and lead.

Deputy Head of the Institute of Applied Materials Science’s Materials and Biopharmaceutical Chemistry Section Tran Ngoc Quyen confirmed to Vietnam News that the sample was tested by his institute.

He also suggested that parents not buy illegal toys in bright colours like red, orange or cobalt because these could contain high amounts of cadmium or lead.

China-made toys are ubiquitous, overwhelming locally produced toys in the toy selling streets of Hanoi such as Hang Ma, Hang Luoc and Luong Van Can.

Most of these toys were said to be smuggled across the border in northern Lang Son or Quang Ninh provinces. This means that the toys have no CR (conformity of regulation) stamps as they were not tested by local authorities in charge of enforcing substance limitations.

China-made plastic lanterns in animal shapes are being sold for VND50,000-75,000(US$2.4-3.6).

A toy seller on Hang Luoc Street said that she has bad feelings about the poisonous lanterns. She also said that lantern sales have decreased one-third compared to the same period last year.

Nguyen Thuy Duong, a mother on Kim Ma Street, said that she will buy other toys for her children instead of the dangerous China-made lanterns.

Duong also admitted that China-made toys are more beautiful and cheaper than local ones.

Parents don’t realize the Chinese toys could pose danger to their children,” she said, adding that she will only buy toys with CR stamps for her kids.

Meanwhile, the Hanoi Market Watch is working with the police to enhance inspections in places where smuggled goods are particularly pervasive, including children’s toys.

The office’s deputy director Nguyen Hong Bao said that children’s toys without CR stamps will be seized and destroyed while sellers will be fined VND15 million ( approximately US$714) per case.

“Those who repeat violations will have their business licenses withdrawn,” added Bao.

According to the market watcher, authorities would enforce stricter control in the main trafficking roads, ware houses and market areas in an effort to deter illegal toy trading, especially during the Mid Autumn Festival.