People visiting a booth at the event on June 18. — VNS Photo Ly Ly Cao

HÀ NỘI — The Hà Nội International Baby Products and Toys Expo and Hà Nội International Trendy Toys Expo (IBTE Hanoi) started on Thursday at the Vietnam Exposition Centre in the capital's Đông Anh Commune, providing a major platform for businesses seeking opportunities in Việt Nam's rapidly expanding toy and baby products market.

The four-day event is organised by Chaoyu Expo and the China Trade Development Bureau under China's Ministry of Commerce, with VINEXAD serving as co-organiser. 

According to the organisers, the event is expected to be one of the largest gatherings for the industry in the region, bringing together manufacturers, distributors and buyers from Việt Nam and abroad. 

Covering 20,000 square metres, IBTE Hanoi features more than 1,000 booths and has attracted over 500 companies from Việt Nam, China and other countries and territories. 

Exhibits will span five major sectors, including trendy toys, baby products, intellectual property licensing, toys and stationery. The exhibition will showcase educational toys, creative products, childcare and safety solutions and products supporting early childhood development. 

Việt Nam's young population, rising purchasing power and expanding middle class are creating strong momentum for the industry's development.

With a population exceeding 100 million and increasingly open economic policies, Việt Nam is emerging as an attractive market and investment destination for international businesses. 

Beyond product displays, the exhibition is designed to strengthen supply chains and promote regional cooperation. 

A series of seminars and business matching activities will be held throughout the four-day event to facilitate connections among manufacturers, distributors and buyers across Việt Nam, China and Southeast Asia. 

This year, around 200 leading Chinese enterprises are attending the exhibition, showcasing their products in the toy, stationery and baby sectors, said Miao Huawei, director of Exhibition Division IV under the China Trade Development Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce.

"We hope to use a specialised exhibition as the bridge to build a professional, efficient and mutually beneficial supply-demand matching platform," Miao added.

The Asian Toys and Baby Products Association Alliance, one of Asia's most influential industry organisations, will support the exhibition by bringing international associations and buyer delegations to Hà Nội, creating opportunities for direct negotiations and trade cooperation. 

Several prominent brands are scheduled to introduce new products at the exhibition, including 52TOYS, Dongguan Yuankang Toy Manufacturing Co.Ltd, Zen of Collectible Culture (Shantou) Co Ltd, Zhongshan Unimass Animation Culture Co Ltd, Hangzhou Yaobao Infant Products Co Ltd and Hangzhou Katetu Baby Products Co Ltd.

Some exhibitors will also organise product launches and offer limited-edition items to visitors and distributors. — BIZHUB/VNS