Hanoi, September 9, 2025 - The Asia Toy Producers Association (ATPA), in collaboration with the Hanoi Communication Association, organized the inaugural Vietnam Toy Forum 2025 to discuss development directions for Vietnam’s toy manufacturing industry. The event drew strong participation from government ministries, international organizations, leading toy brands, and domestic manufacturers.

At the Forum, delegates engaged in lively discussions on boosting growth, optimizing toy supply chains, and strengthening Vietnam’s competitiveness in the global market.

From a trade policy perspective, Ms. Trinh Thi Thu Hien, Deputy Director General of the Import-Export Department (the Ministry of Industry and Trade), shared key insights on import-export regulations, Vietnam’s toy export situation, and especially Rules of Origin (ROO) to leverage FTA benefits. She emphasized: “In the context where Vietnamese goods enjoy tariff preferences in FTA partner markets, rules of origin are the key tool to unlock such benefits, but they can also nullify them when origin requirements are not met. Businesses must study and understand ROO commitments of importing countries to adjust production and business plans accordingly.” She also highlighted decentralization in the field of goods origin and provided contact points to support interested enterprises.

From an investment perspective, Ms. Vuong Thi Minh Hieu, Deputy Director General of the Foreign Investment Agency (the Ministry of Finance), underscored Vietnam’s advantages as an investment destination: political and economic stability, strategic location, abundant human resources, and deep integration through 17 FTAs. She reaffirmed the Agency’s role as a bridge between the Government and businesses, committed to facilitating investors, listening to their concerns, and working with ministries to resolve bottlenecks and maintain a transparent, efficient investment environment.

Discussing opportunities and challenges, Mr. Matteo Vezzosi, Executive Director of ATPA, stressed Vietnam’s growing role in both regional and global toy supply chains. He noted that Vietnam is increasingly attractive for large-scale manufacturing due to competitive costs, improving infrastructure, and accumulated expertise. However, he identified three critical challenges to build sustainable competitiveness: strengthening supply chain capacity, developing a skilled technical workforce, and expanding domestic testing and certification capabilities.

Concluding the Forum, delegates agreed that for Vietnam’s toy industry to grow sustainably, it must address the shortage of high-quality human resources and ensure compliance with Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) standards.