Indonesia's new Halal rules could reshape Vietnam's exports

Beginning October 17, 2026, Indonesia will require Halal certification for a wide range of products sold in its domestic market, including imported goods. The new regulation is widely seen as a passport for Vietnamese businesses seeking access to the nearly 300-million-consumer market, while also underscoring the urgent need to standardise production and comply with international standards.

A huge market with significant opportunities and high standards

Indonesia is home to the world's largest Muslim population and is ASEAN's biggest economy, with nearly 300 million consumers, making it one of the most promising export destinations for Vietnamese products.

Vietnam enjoys several advantages in exporting to Indonesia, including geographic proximity, competitive logistics costs, cultural similarities, and tariff preferences under ASEAN as well as various free trade agreements.

However, to fully capitalise on these opportunities, Vietnamese exporters are required to meet one of the market's most important requirements - Halal certification for regulated products.

According to Eko Cahyanto, secretary general of Indonesia's Ministry of Industry, Indonesia has enormous demand for Halal products and welcomes imports that fully comply with the country's standards.

“Vietnamese businesses are showing strong interest in the Halal sector. Indonesia sees tremendous potential in Vietnamese products. As long as they offer good quality and meet Indonesian standards as well as consumer preferences, they will have opportunities to enter our market,” he told Jakarta-based VOV correspondents.

Demand for Halal-certified products now extends far beyond food, encompassing cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, fashion and even tourism services.

Damayanti Siahaan, a member of the Indonesia-Vietnam Bilateral Committee under the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), said Vietnam has growing opportunities to become more deeply integrated into regional and global Halal supply chains.

“Rather than competing directly, Vietnam and Indonesia could collaborate to develop Halal products for export to third-country markets.” she suggested.

Halal certification becomes mandatory

Under Indonesian government regulations, beginning October 17, 2026, all food and beverage products, slaughtering services, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals sold in Indonesia, including imported goods, must obtain Halal certification issued by the Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH).

The policy is intended to strengthen consumer protection, and to reinforce Indonesia's position in the global Halal supply chain.

According to Pham The Cuong, Vietnamese Trade Counselor in Indonesia, many of Vietnam's key export products, including confectionery, cereal-based products, processed fruits and vegetables, and processed seafood, will fall under the mandatory certification requirement.

He urged exporters to complete the certification process as early as possible to avoid potential disruptions once the regulation takes effect.

“Businesses can apply for Halal certification directly through BPJPH, via their Indonesian importers, or through BPJPH-recognised certification bodies in Vietnam for food and beverage products,” he said.

More than a certificate, it is a competitive advantage

According to the Vietnam Trade Office in Indonesia, Halal certification should no longer be viewed simply as an administrative requirement but as an increasingly important competitive asset.

Cuong said Vietnamese companies can differentiate themselves by positioning their products as offering better quality than low-cost alternatives and staying more affordable than premium brands, while investing in long-term brand building instead of competing solely on price.

He also advised businesses to thoroughly research market demand, complete Halal certification and product registration before entering Indonesia, and establish local commercial teams, with particular attention to Java, which accounts for more than 60% of Indonesia's economic activity.

To expand Halal exports, Vietnamese companies should make long-term investments in both financial resources and skilled personnel to meet Indonesian standards, strengthen cooperation among domestic businesses, and work more closely with experienced international partners in the Halal industry, he suggested.

At the same time, he said, greater investment in trade promotion and the development of strong Halal brands for Vietnamese products will be essential to improving competitiveness in ASEAN's largest market.

Cuong affirmed that the Vietnam Trade Office in Indonesia would continue supporting Vietnamese businesses by facilitating market access, helping resolve trade-related challenges, and safeguarding the legitimate interests of Vietnamese exporters.

HalalViet center launched to boost Vietnamese participation in global Halal supply

VOV.VN - The HalalViet Promotion and Experience Center was officially launched in Hanoi on May 15 and is expected to become a hub for trade connectivity, certification support and digital transformation to help Vietnamese businesses integrate more deeply into global Halal supply chains.