In recent years, the people’s living standards have been much improved which leads to the increasing demand for souvenirs, including cuddly toys. Catching up with the trend of the market, the villagers in Tam Hiep started making these products. From only one workshop, Hoa Thai, in 1997, there are now dozens of cuddly toys making workshops in the commune, providing the market with millions of cuddly toys in various sizes and types each year.
Among the workshops, Hoa Thai is the largest with a total area of 3,000m2. The workshop now provides stable jobs for over 20 labourers, each earning about three million dong/month. Although established later, Hoa Thuc Workshop with a total area of 2,000m2 has a large-scale production line with 10 employees. It has a showroom for displaying cuddly toys of famous cartoon characters like Doraemon, Pooh bear and Oggy cat which are much sought after in the market.
Materials are classified before production. Photo: Trinh Van Bo/VNP
Cotton is the main material for making cuddly toys. Photo: Trinh Van Bo/VNP
Tam Hiep villagers make cuddy toys of various sizes and colours from cotton and cloth
which are the favourites in the domestic market. Photo: Trinh Van Bo/VNP
Checking the quality of products before selling at the market. Photo: Trinh Van Bo/VNP
After stuffed, toys are sewn. Photo: Trinh Van Bo/VNP
Cuddly toys made in Tam Hiep Village. Photo: Trinh Van Bo/VNP
Hoa Thai Workshop attracts the most labourers in Tam Hiep. Photo: Trinh Van Bo/VNP
Tam Hiep cuddly toys are popular with children as they are made in the shapes of famous cartoon characters.
Photo: Trinh Van Bo/VNP |
To promote production in the commune, the Hanoi Youth Assistance and Development Centre has recently coordinated with the Hanoi Industrial Development Consultancy and Promotion Centre (under the Hanoi Industry and Trade Department) to organise a class to teach young people in the commune to make cuddly toys of high quality, meeting the increasing demand of the market.
Story: THAO VY - Photos: TRINH VAN BO