Vietnam has removed popular Baby Three dolls from stores due to backlash over a marking resembling China’s nine-dash line, which sparked nationalistic sentiments among consumers. The controversy has severely impacted sales and reflects broader issues of territorial claims in the South China Sea.

Rising tensions regarding the South China Sea have unexpectedly impacted Vietnam, resulting in the withdrawal of children’s dolls from stores due to a marking resembling Beijing’s territorial claims. The Chinese-manufactured “Baby Three dolls,” which gained popularity among Vietnamese children and youths earlier this year, faced backlash linked to the “Town rabbit V2” model, identified for its cheek marking associated with the contentious “nine-dash line” claim.

The nine-dash line has become a symbol of China’s broader claims in the resource-rich South China Sea, a situation that aggravates Vietnam, which has its own territorial assertions in the region. In light of the public reaction, Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade mandated inspections on toys allegedly featuring the nine-dash line, claiming they pose threats to national security and territorial integrity.

Retailers in Hanoi reported the removal of most contentious doll models, severely impacting sales across the board. One vendor, who wished to remain anonymous, noted that their daily sales of the Baby Three dolls plummeted from about 100 to merely a few units, now offered at significantly reduced prices. The vendor remarked, “Almost all children started to boycott… thinking that buying Baby Three was unpatriotic.”

Recent analysis revealed that the average selling price of Baby Three dolls on platforms like Shopee and TikTok Shop halved within the initial ten weeks of 2025. Independent consumer Vu Tu expressed his discontent, stating, “In my opinion, toys with the nine-dash line affect Vietnam’s sovereignty and I don’t support them.”

This incident echoes previous controversies in Vietnam regarding representations of the nine-dash line in media, including the banning of the “Barbie” film in 2023 and the removal of a scene featuring the map in the comedy “Crazy Rich Asians” in 2018. Notably, the South China Sea continues to be a critical area due to its rich resources and strategic shipping routes, with neighboring countries increasingly concerned about China’s growing assertiveness.

The withdrawal of Baby Three dolls from Vietnamese stores highlights the negative repercussions of heightened nationalism surrounding the South China Sea dispute. The controversy surrounding the dolls not only impacted sales significantly but also reflects deeper sentiments regarding national sovereignty among Vietnamese consumers. This incident underlines the continuous sensitivity and complexity surrounding territorial claims in the region, which are likely to affect businesses and cultural products linked to such disputes.

Original Source: www.news-expressky.com

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