Hue seeks solutions for Halal tourism development to attract Muslim visitors

The event, themed “Halal tourism development: International experience and reality in Hue”, was co-hosted by the Institute for South Asian, West Asian and African Studies (ISAWAAS) and the Hue Tourism Association. It drew 100 domestic and international participants to share global practices, evaluate current local capacities, and propose measures to better serve Muslim travelers.

Despite a robust tourism surge, with arrivals reaching 6.3 million in 2025 and exceeding 6.4 million during the nine- month span of 2026, up 29% year-on-year, Hue has welcomed a relatively small share of Muslim visitors, recording roughly 22,000 arrivals in 2025 and 11,800 during the first seven months of this year.

The central city currently houses over 900 accommodation establishments with nearly 15,000 rooms, alongside 87 travel agencies and offices. While a number of hotels and restaurants have begun engaging with the Muslim market, specialized services still lack synchronization and development.

With a global Muslim population of roughly 2 billion, the Halal market presents vast opportunities for the tourism sector. Hue holds distinct advantages through its cultural heritage, scenic landscapes, rich gastronomy, and strong connectivity within Southeast Asia. Notably, its distinctive vegetarian culinary tradition serves as a solid foundation for developing suitable local products.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Quoc Minh, former Director of ISAWAAS and head of the research project on Halal tourism development in Hue, emphasized that upgrading service quality and progressively meeting Halal standards are critical to attracting these visitors.

"For Muslim visitors to feel truly welcome, essential services, particularly dining, must comply with Halal standards. Certified Halal services across restaurants, hotels, and tour itineraries are vital to drawing travelers," he noted. "While Vietnam is globally renowned as an attractive destination, limitations in service infrastructure, workforce training, and industry expertise remain major bottlenecks."

Experts suggested that Hue intensify market research, promotional efforts, and international networking, while supporting local businesses in workforce training, facility upgrades, and meeting Halal standards. Developing products in line with the needs, culture, and religious practices of Muslim travelers will boost the destination's overall competitiveness.

The conference forms part of a municipal-level science and technology research initiative aimed at formulating effective strategies to fully tap this high-potential market.

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