Reports presented at the seminar indicate the Halal industry which includes food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and tourism currently serves over 2 billion Muslims worldwide and is projected to reach a global value of US$5 trillion by 2030. Malaysia is considered one of the key global Halal hubs, with its domestic Halal market expected to hit US$113.2 billion.

In her opening remarks, Ho Thi Quyen, deputy director of the Ho Chi Minh City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC), emphasised the potential for cooperation between Vietnam and Malaysia in the Halal food industry. Malaysia’s Halal standards are internationally recognised, providing an important gateway for certified Halal products to access global Islamic markets.

Vietnam has officially recognized the National Halal Certification Authority (HALCERT) under the Ministry of Science and Technology as the focal agency for Halal certification in the country. However, Quyen pointed out that the number of organisations authorized to issue Halal certificates remains limited, certification costs are high, and certain strict requirements such as having a Muslim supervisor present during the production process pose major challenges for Vietnamese enterprises, especially small and medium-sized ones.

Dr. Phu Van Han, general secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Anthropological and Ethnological Association, highlighted the significance of the government’s Halal Industry Development Strategy to 2030, issued in 2023. He called it a strategic step toward enhancing national competitiveness and integrating Vietnam into the global Halal value chain, while leveraging the benefits of 17 signed free trade agreements (FTAs).

At the seminar, Zaimah Osman, Trade Consul of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) in Ho Chi Minh City, reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to boosting bilateral economic cooperation and supporting Vietnamese businesses in connecting with the Malaysian Halal ecosystem. She revealed that MATRADE currently operates a global network of 48 offices, including branches in both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

Shariza binti Abdul Rasheed, Halal Products manager at Maybank Malaysia, noted that the Halal market presents vast opportunities for Vietnamese companies. She encouraged them to take advantage of Malaysia’s first B2B Halal e-commerce platform, Salaam Market, to showcase their certified Halal products to international buyers. She also mentioned ongoing business matchmaking programmes that will introduce Vietnamese producers to local partners, helping to complete Halal-compliant supply chains.

According to Vietnam Customs, two-way trade between Vietnam and Malaysia in the first half of 2025 reached approximately US$7.7 billion, up 6% from the same period in 2024. Vietnam’s key exports to Malaysia include machinery, electronic components, steel, petroleum, and chemicals. Both countries are striving to raise bilateral trade to US$25 billion by 2030.

Vietnam targets stronger presence in US$2 trillion Halal market

VOV.VN - Despite holding huge potential to access the US$2 trillion global Halal food market, Vietnam has yet to fully meet global Halal food demand, while currently satisfying less than 10%, but plans are underway to enhance its role in this fast-growing industry.